City of Glasgow College to Host the UK’s first-ever IPHatch Open Innovation Competition

City of Glasgow College have teamed up with Piece Future to host the UK’s first open innovation competition, IPHatch, which offers start-ups access to sustainable technologies from multinational corporations.

City of Glasgow College in association with the Scottish Institute of Innovation & Knowledge Exchange (Scottish IKE) have facilitated the UK’s first IPHatch competition Credit: Matt Keifer

City of Glasgow College in association with the Scottish Institute of Innovation & Knowledge Exchange (Scottish IKE) have partnered with Piece Future to bring the IPHatch competition to the UK for the first time.

Scottish IKE, hosted by the City of Glasgow College brought the competition to Glasgow with the help of Stuart McDowall, Head of Innovation and STEM at the City of Glasgow College who facilitated the move.

Stuart McDowall, Head of Innovation and STEM at the City of Glasgow College Credit: Stuart McDowall

Stuart McDowall said of the event: “It’s a unique competition, because it opens up a new conversation for start-ups, surrounding the use of intellectual property and patents to drive their own business forward. What IPHATCH® does is connect these start-ups with multinational corporations, who have opened up certain patent portfolios to them.”

“Establishing the City of Glasgow College as the first UK IPHATCH® host has already encouraged new relationships in the tech world, not just for our students but also for the city of Glasgow itself.”, Stuart McDowall added.

The IPHatch competition is the brainchild of Piece Future Ltd. Founder, Jason Loh and has taken place across Asia since 2017.

Shinji Miura, General Manager of Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Company Ltd said to the City of Glasgow College that Panasonic are “very excited” to have the competition launch in the UK:

“With its proven success in Asia over the past five years, we believe that IPHATCH® represents one of the best sustainable ecosystems which is dedicated to maximising the potential of technologies with a unique contribution to our society. We hope that our patented technologies will be fully exploited and optimised by as many ambitious UK start-ups as possible.”

The college will host the pitch day for the competition finalists on May 19th. Nokia and Panasonic representatives will arrive in Glasgow to judge the pitches, alongside other major corporate players in the tech ecosystem.

Stuart McDowall confirmed that there is a great anticipation for the event: “I think everyone is looking forward to the pitch day. There have been some brilliant applications and it’s going to be great to see the finalists in action. The opportunities that will be available to emerging start-ups in the UK are great. It’s solidifying the City of Glasgow College’s place in the innovation world.”

The winner will be announced in November 2023 at another ceremony in the City of Glasgow College.

Stuart McDowall noted, “It’ll be great to see who will win the coveted title of the UK’s first-ever IPHatch winner!"

To find out more, head to the IPHatch website at:

https://www.iphatchday.com/united-kingdom

---

Stuart McDowall speaks to Breakthrough Press about the IPHatch Competition