Apply now! Deadline: March 14th, 2026.
Transform your IP into a strategic business tool
Intellectual Property (IP) is more than legal protection – it is a powerful business tool. When used strategically, IP helps transform products and services into scalable innovations, strong brands, and competitive designs in a global and digital marketplace.
A well-managed IP strategy allows you to:
- Increase the visibility, attractiveness, and market value of your products
- Differentiate your business from competitors
- Protect valuable know-how, innovations, and creative outputs
- Strengthen your commercial position and long-term growth
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), together with Rubik Hub and Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ), invites Pan-European startups and SMEs operating in the healthcare sector to apply for a tailor-made, free-of-charge IP Management Program.
Program structure
The program runs from late March to the end of June 2026, concluding with a dedicated IP Management Clinic (IPMC) closing event.
Participants will benefit from:
- One-on-one mentoring with top-tier global IP experts
- 3-4 Practical training sessions and access to IP tools and services
- A regional public showcase event presenting program results
All activities are designed to deliver practical, business-oriented outcomes, supporting participants in building IP strategies and portfolios that directly enhance their competitiveness and commercialization efforts.
All sessions are held in English.
Why apply?
- Develop your IP strategy and roadmap through personalized support
- Learn directly from world-class IP experts
- Gain access to the broader IP ecosystem
- Build a direct connection with WIPO, the world’s leading IP authority and a United Nations agency
Who should apply?
This program is designed for Pan-European startups and SMEs active in the healthcare sector, including (but not limited to) companies producing:
- Medical technologies or devices
e.g. imaging systems, wearable health monitors, minimally invasive tools
- Clinical or health-related datasets in the development of medical technologies
e.g. anonymized patient data from diagnostic devices or digital health applications used for product development or validation
- Products and/or services incorporating digital health technologies
e.g. connected health platforms, mobile health apps, or medical devices that transmit real-time data to healthcare providers.
- Healthcare solutions developed using digital tools or technologies
e.g. devices designed with digital simulation or health-focused engineering software
- Creative healthcare innovations enabled by digital tools
e.g. telemedicine platforms, gamified rehabilitation solutions, sensor-based therapy programs
We highly encourage startups from Central and Eastern Europe, as well as those from Southern Europe, to apply.
Selection criteria
The program is particularly suitable for companies that:
- Have a clear business model and vision
- Operate at TRL (Technology Readiness Level) 4–8
- Have a team of at least two people
- Have begun integrating IP into their business strategy, for example by:
- Mapping their products and services to identify relevant IP assets or
- Registering at least one IP right (e.g. trademark, patent, design)
Selected participants must be willing and able to share non-confidential information about their product or technology, business model, and industry, enabling tailored guidance and training.
The selection process includes interviews with shortlisted applicants.
About WIPO
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the United Nations agency that serves the world’s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve lives everywhere.
They do so by providing services that enable creators, innovators and entrepreneurs to protect and promote their intellectual property (IP) across borders and acting as a forum for addressing cutting-edge IP issues. Their IP data and information guide decision-makers the world over. And our impact-driven projects and technical assistance ensure IP benefits everyone, everywhere.
To support innovators and creators everywhere, WIPO has been transforming itself from a technical-driven agency to an impact-driven agency with the mission to bring IP to the grassroots and help innovators and creators on the ground use IP to bring their ideas to the market.
For more information, **visit: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/business/ip-management-clinic
About Rubik Hub
Recognized as one of Europe’s leading startup accelerators, Rubik Hub is ranked #39 in Europe by Financial Times, Sifted, and Statista in their 2025 Leading Start-up Hubs list.
Since 2017, we have:
- Supported 400+ founders across Europe
- Helped alumni raise over €75 million in funding
- Built a community of 300+ experienced mentors, including founders, investors, and industry experts
At Rubik Hub, you don’t just join a program — you join a high-impact innovation ecosystem designed to help ambitious founders grow.
If you have any questions, email us at hello@rubikhub.ro
About Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ)
Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ) is a key driver of digital transformation and innovation in North-East Romania, coordinating EDIH-DIZ – a European Digital Innovation Hub funded through the Digital Europe Programme.
Over three years, DIZ has:
- Supported over 100 SMEs and 22 PSOs in their digital transformation and innovation journeys
- Delivered 900+ innovation and digitalisation services, with a total value of 4.2 million EUR
- Helped beneficiaries attract approximately 15 million EUR in approved funding for digitalisation and innovation
- Trained 1170+ professionals in digital, AI, cybersecurity, and innovation related skills
- Build and activated regional innovation ecosystem of over 100 experts, technology providers, and institutional partners
If you’d like to work with us, get in touch at adelina.marinescu@digital-innovation.zone