Our network for start-ups

Why HLK?

HLK stands apart from other IP advisors because of our collaborative network, whose specialist expertise can help start-ups maximise the business opportunities created by their IP.

We are actively involved with the following organisations:

  • Converge – helping students, graduates and staff across Scotland’s universities and research institutes turn their creativity, ideas and innovations into commercial reality.
  • Octopus Ventures Springboard – a programme to create and scale new, deep tech businesses enabling a sustainable planet.
  • Silicon Catalyst UK – the world’s only accelerator focused on semiconductor solutions.
  • The UK Business Angels Association – the trade body for angel and early stage investing.
  • SETsquared Bristol – an incubator providing tech start-ups in the South West with the support they need to grow and succeed.

We have also built a network of other professional advisers, who offer specialist support to start-ups and spin-outs. We can therefore introduce our clients to experts in the following areas:

  • IP valuation
  • Share plans and incentives
  • Tax
  • IP insurance
  • Corporate finance
  • Sources of finance
  • Market analysis
  • Royalty audits

You can also visit our IP Knowledge Hub for further material.

Why is IP so valuable for start-ups?

  • Start-ups are 4.3 times more likely to secure venture capital funding than not if they filed trade marks at seed or early growth stage and 6.4 times more likely if they filed patents.
  • The filing of patents and/or trade marks generates a more than twice higher likelihood of successful exit for investors.
  • Start-ups that file both patents and trade marks are the most likely companies to secure an Initial Public Offering or acquisition.

Source: EUIPO report – Patents, trade marks and startup finance (October 2023)

  • Deal sizes for patent start-ups are on average 40-60% larger throughout every stage than for non-patent start-ups.
  • Across funding stages, patent companies raise capital at notably higher valuations than non-patent companies (up to 93%).
  • The median exit value for patent companies is 154.9% higher than it is for non-patent companies per year on average.

Source: PitchBook Patent Research – Takeaways on patents’ impact on startup success (February 2023)

The UK IPO’s new financial support scheme for SMEs

The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) recently announced the welcome return of their IP Advance scheme (also known as the IP Audit scheme), which offers much-needed funding to SMEs looking to understand, protect and commercialise their intellectual property (IP) assets.

Read our quick guide to how the scheme works here.

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HLK is committed to helping the next generation of technology businesses flourish. Visit our IP support for start-ups page for more information.

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HLK celebrates its 175th anniversary

2025 sees HLK celebrate 175 years of helping the world’s innovators.

Read the article