OBI – BEA – EUIPO: Focus on the Protection of Trademarks, Patents and Funding Opportunities for SMEs
With great success, the online informative event entitled: “Trademarks | Industrial Designs | Patents: Registration Procedures and Funding Opportunities for SMEs” was held on Monday, 18 May 2026. The event was co-organized by the Athens Chamber for small and medium Industries (BEA) and the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation (OBI), with the participation of a representative from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
The event attracted the interest of businesses and professionals, highlighting the continuously growing importance of protecting industrial and intellectual property for the development, extroversion, and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The aim of the initiative was to provide businesses with substantial and practical information regarding:
- the procedures for registering trademarks, industrial designs, and patents,
- the benefits of protecting intangible assets,
- as well as the available funding opportunities through SME Fund 2026.
The event was opened by Mr. Ioannis Manos, First Vice President of the Athens Chamber for small and medium Industries, who emphasized that registering a trademark, an industrial design, or an innovative idea is not merely a formal procedure, but a critical tool for protection and business development. “For every business that produces, innovates, and invests in quality, intellectual property protection constitutes an investment with real added value and a significant development impact,” he characteristically stated. At the same time, he made special reference to the role of BEA and the Enterprise Europe Network, through which the Chamber actively supports its member businesses in their efforts to grow, network, and expand their presence in international markets.
Ms. Katerina Margellou, Deputy General Director and Director of Legal Services at OBI, presented the role and main services of the Hellenic Industrial Property Organisation, highlighting its contribution to the registration of industrial property rights such as patents, utility model certificates, industrial designs, trademarks, and geographical indications.
On behalf of BEA, Ms. Mina Peleki, from the International Relations Department, presented the extroversion services offered by the Chamber through the Enterprise Europe Network, emphasizing opportunities for international networking, partner searches, participation in B2B meetings, and access to funding tools and foreign markets.
Subsequently, Ms. Andriani Marinou, Lawyer LLM, and Mr. Aristeidis Pittaras, Director of Application and Grants at OBI, presented in detail the procedures for registering trademarks, industrial designs, and patents, placing particular emphasis on:
- the main stages of registration,
- the need for timely protection of innovation,
- as well as the role of industrial property as a tool for strengthening business competitiveness.
The event concluded with a presentation by Ms. Elisavet Karagiampi from the IP for Competitiveness Service – Business Development Department of EUIPO regarding SME Fund 2026, which provides financial support to SMEs for the protection of intellectual property rights.
During the presentation, the opportunities offered by the programme to reduce the cost of registering trademarks, designs, and patents were highlighted, substantially enhancing businesses’ access to critical protection and development tools.
The event highlighted the importance of cooperation between BEA, OBI, and EUIPO in providing businesses with valid, practical, and specialized information, at a time when innovation, knowledge protection, and extroversion constitute key pillars of development for small and medium-sized enterprises.
