Scientists and engineers are the creative force behind many vital new technologies. Every year, the European Patent Office hosts the European Inventor Award, which promotes the patent system by telling the stories of successful inventors, and shows how patents have helped them to secure value, raise investment and create jobs. This reflects positively on the inventors, of course, but also on those involved in supporting them: managers and mentors at incubators, accelerators and science parks.

The 12^th annual European Inventor Award, hosted by the European Patent Office in Venice in 2016 was a wonderful celebration of innovation. This short film summarises the emotion of the trophy ceremony and the mission of the Award. The fifteen finalists are excellent ambassadors not just for innovation but for the patent system as a whole. In each of their films they explain their inventions as well as the benefits to society and the economy, frequently mentioning the role patents play in their business models. The media coverage generated by the European Patent Office (EPO) for the Award finalists is enormous, with over 2,400 reports in journals, blogs, websites and TV shows around the world. The Award not only promotes the benefits of innovation and the patent system, it also reflects positively on Science Parks working with finalists to help them create value from inventions and patents.

Previous finalists from the Netherlands have included:

• Jan van den Boogaart (Rapid blood test for malaria)
• Hans Clevers (Lab-grown human organs)
• Gert-Jan Gruter (Plant-based plastic bottles)

We encourage all stakeholders to consider proposing inventors for the European Inventor Award. The EPO’s criteria are high: they are looking for inventions of great social and/or economic benefit, and which have been granted European patents (at least one still in force). The application procedure is simple, free, and can be made online in minutes. With competition fierce (over 450 proposals last year for just 15 places!) Submit suggestions well ahead of the 16 October deadline. The media success of the Award in promoting innovation and patents (and hence our industry / profession) is dependent upon the quality of candidates – and we believe that we are very well placed to know who the best candidates could be.