Empowering Europe’s SMEs Through IP #51 – with Inge Buffolo

In this episode of IP Stories, we sit down with Inge Buffolo, Director of Business Development at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), to explore how intellectual property can become a real growth tool for small and medium-sized enterprises across Europe.From her early career as a telecommunications engineer to more than 20 years at EUIPO, Inge shares her journey through innovation, transformation, and public service. We dive deep into the origins and evolution of the SME Fund, the challenges SMEs face when navigating the IP system, and why speaking the language of entrepreneurs is essential to making IP accessible and effective.Inge also reflects on the power of collaboration — with national IP offices, EU institutions, and business networks — and explains how initiatives like Ideas Powered for Business, IP Scan, and IP-backed finance are helping thousands of micro and small companies protect their innovations and grow with confidence.A must-listen for entrepreneurs, policymakers, IP professionals, and anyone interested in strengthening Europe’s innovation ecosystem through smarter, more inclusive IP support.

In this episode of IP Stories, we speak with Álvaro Sáez, Co-founder and CEO of HechicerIA, Co-founder and CTO of Mettis AI and Shintek, and a strategic consultant in AI and creative technologies. Álvaro shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, gaming, computer vision, and audiovisual creation. We explore how generative AI and game engines are reshaping creative production, how startups can navigate copyright, data protection, and biometric privacy, and why trade secrets, patents, and continuous innovation all play a role in building defensible AI businesses. Álvaro also offers practical insights on aligning IP strategy with product design, investor expectations, and long-term competitiveness in fast-moving tech markets. This special episode marks the 50th chapter of IP Stories, and we are delighted to celebrate having already shared 50 stories from across the IP and innovation ecosystem.

In this episode of IP Stories, we sit down with Lyse Brillouet, Executive Vice-President of Research at Orange, to explore her multidisciplinary journey across business, technology, innovation, and intellectual property. Lyse shares how leadership and people management have shaped her career, and why she sees IP not just as protection, but as an enabler of innovation. She discusses Orange’s evolving approach to research, the role of standards and SEPs, the complexity of emerging technologies like AI and quantum, and how collaboration with startups, universities, and industry partners can thrive when IP is understood as a flexible, empowering tool.

In this episode of IP Stories, we’re joined by Tamar Gomez, co-founder of Ankar AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way innovators build, protect, and scale their ideas. Tamar explains how her background in economics and tech shaped her approach to entrepreneurship, and how Ankar AI empowers inventors, law firms, and corporates to make faster, smarter IP decisions. We also discuss how AI is transforming IP from a defensive tool into a true driver of innovation.

In this episode of IP Stories, we’re joined by Magali Touroude, founder of YesMyPatent, a firm helping startups and deep tech companies access strong, affordable patent strategies. Magali shares insights from her career, from working at L'Oréal to helping scale cutting-edge ventures, and explains why IP is critical to Europe’s competitiveness in the global innovation race. This is a must-listen for founders, policymakers, and anyone thinking about the future of IP in Europe.  Links of interest:https://www.yesmypatent.com/en/  

In this episode of IP Stories, we sit down with Prof. Dr. Tilman Müller-Stoy, partner at Bardehle Pagenberg and a leading litigator at the Unified Patent Court (UPC). With more than two decades of experience in patent disputes, Tilman shares his journey into IP law, the transformation from national to international litigation, and what makes the UPC a true game changer. We discuss landmark preliminary injunctions, the role of SMEs and startups in this new system, and the practical lessons learned from the UPC’s first two years. Whether you’re an innovator, lawyer, or policymaker, this episode offers valuable insights into Europe’s evolving patent landscape.

In this episode of IP Stories, we speak with André Azevedo, co-founder and CEO of WingDriver, a startup using AI and smartphone technology to help drivers stay safe by detecting fatigue and distraction. André shares the story behind the idea, discusses how data privacy is built into their product design, and explains why intellectual property has been a key part of their business strategy from day one. 

In this episode of IP Stories, we talk to Emma Garatea, founder and CEO of Cocoon Airbag, the startup behind the world’s first bicycle child seat equipped with an airbag. Emma shares the personal story that sparked her innovation, explains how she brought a deep-tech safety product to life, and discusses the crucial role IP played in protecting and growing her business. We also dive into sustainable design, startup resilience, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team and mentors. Click here for more information on this episode.

In this episode of IP Stories, we’re chatting with Tamany Vinson Bentz, founder of California IP Law and an IP attorney specialised in technology and media. We get into some big questions, like who owns content created by AI, how streaming and e-commerce platforms are handling IP, and why automation can sometimes go very wrong. Tamany also shares real stories from her work and gives smart, practical advice for startups trying to protect what makes them unique. Plus, we take a look at how blockchain and new tech could shake things up in the IP world. 

In this episode of IP Stories, we sit down with the winners of the 2024 4iP Council Research Awards: Alia Kahwaji, Mina Jasinski, and Ludovico Bossi; to explore their award-winning research. From the impact of AI on patentability and voice cloning’s legal implications in music, to the challenges of fair remuneration for creators on social media, this conversation dives into some of the most pressing intellectual property issues of today. A must-listen for anyone interested in how IP is evolving to meet the demands of the digital age.