Looking back: IP and innovation as strategic value drivers

On 15 October, Arnold & Siedsma and LDS Advisory hosted an inspiration session at Kasteel Sint-Michiels in Mechelen on intellectual property and innovation as strategic value drivers for companies.

Intellectual property and innovation are often approached from a legal, technical or tax perspective. For many companies they are considerably more than that. Know-how, technology, software, processes and brands represent a growing share of corporate value, yet these assets are frequently under-identified, under-protected and rarely deployed strategically.

The session approached the theme from three complementary angles. The first looked at the strategic significance of IP and innovation, and how a company’s distinctive strengths contribute to market position, margins and valuation. The second covered the legal and practical side of protection: which forms exist, when protection is advisable, and what choices companies face in timing, scope, geographical coverage and budget. The third examined the financial translation, from the innovation deduction and the R&D payroll withholding tax exemption through to EBITDA, financeability and the role of IP in investment rounds, acquisitions and exit processes.

Sharing their insights were Olivier Gios, Tax Partner and founder, and Philip Platteau, Partner, on behalf of LDS Advisory, and Youri De Groote, European, Dutch and Belgian patent attorney and UPC Representative, on behalf of Arnold & Siedsma. Youri presented the firm’s IP Layered approach.

What resonated most with attendees was the point where the two disciplines meet. Value creation through intellectual property and the tax optimisation that follows from it go hand in hand, and that connection becomes visible only when tax and IP specialists assess a business together.

The session drew a room of around 50 people, ranging from pre-start-ups and start-ups to scale-ups and SMEs, through to multinationals and knowledge institutes.

The evening concluded with a walking dinner.

Are you considering what your intangible assets are worth, and how to protect them? Get in touch with our Belgian team.