In 2021, Plougmann Vingtoft’s annual start-up donation went to Uvisa Health – an early-stage start-up working with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The coming years will see an even greater focus on the importance of early IP protection and support for companies working with sustainability.
At Plougmann Vingtoft, we wish to support businesses that are trying to make a sustainable difference. To aid in this endeavour, we launched our annual start-up donation in 2019. Every year through to 2030, we will donate expert IP-consulting worth DKK 50,000 to the Danish start-up that we consider able to influence one or several of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The donation is dubbed IP Matters and several start-ups have already applied to be considered.
Since 2019, we have awarded the donation three times. In 2021, the donation went to Femtech start-up Uvisa Health. Uvisa Health is working on a non-pharmacological and reusable solution that will potentially revolutionise the way we treat vaginal infections. As such, Uvisa Health is working to accomplish SDG #3 (good health and well-being) and #12 (responsible production and consumption).
As an early-stage medical device company Uvisa have a long and expensive road ahead. Therefore, de-risking potential future investments by patenting our technology is of vital importance.
Ella Harris, CEO and co-founder, Uvisa Health
”As an early-stage medical device company Uvisa have a long and expensive road ahead. Therefore, de-risking potential future investments by patenting our technology is of vital importance. We were already in discussions with Plougmannn Vingtoft when we entered the IP Matters competition, but at that time did not have sufficient funding to cover us all the way to a filed application. Winning the competition has therefore allowed us to accelerate this process. We are honored to work with PV as they have an extremely strong reputation in the medical device sector, and their guidance has elevated our product development,” says CEO and co-founder of Uvisa Health, Ella Harris.
Swab robots and biodegradable packaging
Uvisa joins an exclusive group of innovative companies that have so far been awarded the IP Matters donation. In 2020, robotics company Lifeline Robotics and the world’s first automatic swab robot won the donation. Lifeline Robotics is working actively to solve SDG #3 (Good health and well-being) and the donation allowed the company peace of mind to focus on developing the product further.
”The IP Matters donation has given us space to focus on technical development. We have direct access to expert IP consulting once we need to protect new breakthroughs or uncover competing technologies,” says Julie Dalsgaard, Director at Lifeline Robotics.
In 2019, the donation went to the biotech start-up Cellugy, which has developed a biodegradeable food packaging. Cellugy is working directly towards UN SDG #9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), #12 (responsible consumption and production) and #13 (climate action). And this focus has not gone unnoticed. In 2020, the company received an investment totaling EUR 2.38 million.
“A patent-pending application sends a clear message to our potential investors about Cellugy’s intentions to secure IP ownership of our technology. Meanwhile, the competition played a pivotal role in gaining a strong foothold in the company’s IP competencies across our team. This serves as a competitive advantage,” says Clara Capparelli, Media & Communications Coordinator at Cellugy.
We cannot save the world with IP-consulting. But, we can make sure that the talented, Danish entrepreneurs, who are introducing sustainable solutions, get the support they need to turn their idea into a successful business. That is exactly what they will get from this donation
Finn Strøm Madsen, CEO, Plougmann Vingtoft
Protecting the future of bright ideas
Every year through to 2030, we will award our expert IP-consulting to a start-up working directly with one or more of the UN SDGs, as we believe this will enable those start-ups to make a difference for sustainable global development.
“We cannot save the world with IP-consulting. But, we can make sure that the talented, Danish entrepreneurs, who are introducing sustainable solutions, get the support they need to turn their idea into a successful business. That is exactly what they will get from this donation,” says CEO of Plougmann Vingtoft Finn Strøm Madsen.
Do you want to hear more about our approach to protecting sustainable ideas? Then you are more than welcome to reach out to one of our experts. Read more about the IP Matters donation.
