Munich to host new IP and innovation conference for SMEs

ISAR INTELLECTUALS will debut in Munich on Oct. 22, 2026, with a one-day program focused on innovation, AI and intellectual property for small and midsize businesses. The event adds a new forum for SMEs, researchers and practitioners to discuss how IP can support growth and competitiveness.

Why it matters: - The conference is aimed at SMEs, which are central to Germany’s economy and face pressure to turn innovation into commercial value. - The program puts artificial intelligence and intellectual property in the same conversation, reflecting how AI is changing both innovation strategy and IP practice. - Strong patent and trademark protection remains a key issue for German companies competing globally.

What happened: - ISAR INTELLECTUALS will debut in Munich on Oct. 22, 2026, as a one-day specialist conference on innovation and intellectual property. - The event is presented by Der Mittelstand. BVMW. - The conference will take place at the Munich Künstlerhaus and begins at 9:30 a.m. - An evening networking event will open the program on Oct. 21. - The conference is expected to accommodate up to 100 participants. - Registration and program details are available here.

The details: - The agenda will cover innovation and the economy, AI as a driver of innovation, AI in IP practice, and future innovations. - Four panel sessions will feature keynote speakers and expert discussions. - Speakers and panelists will include experts from FAU Erlangen, Steinbeis STI and TH Ingolstadt. - Practitioners from industry, the SME sector and the startup scene will also participate. - The German Patent and Trademark Office is supporting the conference. - Conference initiator Achim von Michel said innovation and IP are essential for modern societies and for creating new sources of value, especially for SMEs. - The conference fee is €190 plus VAT. - Members of Der Mittelstand. BVMW can attend for €130 plus VAT. - ISAR INTELLECTUALS 2026 is sponsored by Bonabry, LexDellmeier, SKM-IP and Beetz & Partner.

Between the lines: - The lineup suggests the conference is trying to bridge academia, government and business rather than stay within the legal/IP community. - The focus on SMEs signals an effort to make IP strategy more accessible to firms that may not have large in-house legal teams. - The support from the DPMA adds institutional credibility and may help position the event as a serious policy and business forum.

What's next: - Organizers will use the Oct. 21 networking event and Oct. 22 panels to launch the new conference format. - The Munich debut may determine whether ISAR INTELLECTUALS becomes a recurring meeting place for Germany’s IP and innovation community. - Interested attendees can review the program and register on the event website.