Protecting great ideas is just as important as having them in the first place — and few understand that better than Schlich, a specialist firm of UK and European Patent Attorneys and Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys. Having exhibited at EVOLVE [25], the team returned for EVOLVE [26] to continue building connections across Sussex’s innovation community. We caught up with Schlich to talk about their work helping innovators and businesses protect their ideas, brands and technologies, what they took away from the event, and why getting IP advice early can make all the difference.
Tell us a bit about what you do and how you help people.
We are a specialist firm of UK and European Patent Attorneys and Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys, helping innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses protect the ideas, brands and technologies that drive their success.
What difference do you make in the world?
By helping innovators secure and enforce their intellectual property rights, we’re supporting the development of new technologies, life-changing products, scientific breakthroughs and growing businesses. When innovators are protected, they’re empowered to invest, create and grow with confidence, generating positive impacts that reach far beyond the IP itself.
How and why did you first get involved with EVOLVE [26]?
Having attended and exhibited at EVOLVE[25], we were blown away by both the scale of the event and the opportunities it created to connect with businesses from Brighton and across Sussex. EVOLVE[25] was unique in the way it brought together so many innovative businesses, entrepreneurs and members of the technology community under one roof. Following the success of EVOLVE[25], getting involved in EVOLVE[26] was a no-brainer!
Why do you think events like EVOLVE are good for the city and the region?
It’s fair to say there are very few events like EVOLVE in the Brighton area. It uniquely brings together businesses, innovators and decision-makers in one place, sparking conversations, collaborations and ideas that can drive growth across the region. Strong business communities are built on relationships, and events like EVOLVE provide a fantastic platform for creating and strengthening those connections.
What did you get from the day? Tell us about any outcomes or impact.
We had the opportunity to meet a wide range of innovative businesses at different stages of growth, from ambitious start-ups to established organisations looking to strengthen and protect their brands and technologies. The event generated valuable new connections, raised awareness of the importance of intellectual property, and opened the door to future collaborations across the region.
What were your highlights and main takeaways from the day?
Our biggest highlight was undoubtedly the people we met. From making new introductions to catching up with existing contacts, EVOLVE was packed with valuable conversations and relationship-building opportunities.
The event showcased just how supportive, connected and ambitious our regional business community is. We left with new connections, strengthened relationships, and a number of exciting conversations that we’re looking forward to building on in the months ahead.
Back to you: What company initiatives or projects are you most proud of?
We recognise that for many start-ups, entrepreneurs and first-time inventors, the cost and complexity of the patent system can feel like a barrier to innovation. That’s why we’ve recently launched our Innovation Support Initiative, designed to make high-quality patent advice and initial patent protection more accessible to first-time filers with strong commercial potential.
What are the perks of working with / for you?
Working with Schlich means gaining access to specialist expertise delivered in a practical, commercial and approachable way. Intellectual property can often seem complex and difficult to navigate, but our aim is to make IP advice understandable, actionable and aligned with our clients’ business goals. As a team, we foster a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development and helping clients achieve meaningful success. Our agile and dynamic approach allows us to tailor our services to the specific needs of each client, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to IP protection.
Do you have any projects, initiatives or events coming up that we should know about?
We’re continuing to share practical insights on intellectual property through articles, updates and educational content designed to help businesses better understand, protect and leverage their IP assets. Anyone interested can keep an eye on our website and LinkedIn channels for the latest updates and developments.
Anything else you would like to share or promote?
If you’ve developed something unique, whether it’s a product, invention, technology, process or brand, don’t wait until it’s too late to think about protecting it. Intellectual property is often one of a business’s most valuable assets, yet one of the most overlooked. We’d encourage innovators and businesses of all sizes to at least start the conversation around IP early.