Appleyard Lees launches fund to help turn bright ideas into commercial success

Appleyard Lees, one of the North’s leading firms of patent and trademark attorneys, is launching a growth fund to help companies protect and nurture their innovative ideas and inventions.

An annual fund of £50,000 has been established by the specialist IP firm, which has major offices in Manchester, Leeds and Halifax. Grants from the Appleyard Lees Growth Fund will be awarded on a case by case basis to companies with winning ideas, a track record for innovation and a sound strategic approach.

Recognised as a significant commercial asset, IP is crucial to business innovation and growth but many companies find themselves in the dark when it comes to protecting their assets.

Ean Davies, partner at Appleyard Lees, said: “In a challenging economic climate organisations might be tempted to take short cuts or simply not safeguard their bright ideas,especially if they don’t realise how critical IP is to commercial growth.

“We want to support SMEs in their innovation strategies and advise them on how they can protect ideas and inventions, to achieve sustained growth.”

Organisations sometimes fail to recognise the value of IP – that it can be sold, licenced for royalties or used as security against bank loans, as well as simply blocking competitors from using their innovations. Appleyard Lees is aiming to educate and inform businesses on how they can benefit from the firm’s technical and legal expertise.

Partners at the firm of IP specialists will examine each case and will award grants on the basis of viability, against its criteria for eligibility.

For more information on the Appleyard Lees Growth Fund visit www.appleyardlees.com/the-appleyard-lees-growth-fund.