M Squared, a fast-growing Glasgow-based photonics technology business has been announced as the winner of the 2018 IP League Table, seeing off stiff-competition from entrants from all over the UK.
The accolade is announced today (April 26, 2018) to coincide with World Intellectual Property Day, which this year celebrates "powering change in innovation and creativity".
The IP100 League Table ranks entrant companies based on the effectiveness and robustness of their IP assets, and shines the spotlight on IP-rich companies across the UK.
A record number of companies - up nearly 50% on the previous year - entered the rankings. Interestingly the list of top 20 companies are evenly spread across the UK.
Entrants benefit from access to the IP100 Club, an exclusive network of IP-rich companies who lead the way in promoting a culture of innovation and IP creation within the UK.
The entrants can learn a great deal about a variety of IP-related matters including: international IP strategies for companies growing in new territories, maximising the exit value of an IP rich company, filing software patents, preparing an IP-rich company for investor due diligence and developing an IP strategy.
Furthermore, the IP100 gives entrants greater access to finance which is reflected in them collectively raising more than £60 million in funding over the course of the last 12 months.
Stephen Robertson, director and founder of Metis Partners, said, "This has been a remarkable year with an ever-increasing cohort of smart, dynamic and innovative SME enterprises. Entrants have ranged from micro-businesses to £50 million AIM-listed companies. The profile of the IP100 rankings has grown significantly through strategic alliances with top level partners including the London Stock Exchange Group and its ELITE programme.
"We will continue to run our hugely successful IP100 Club events, which this year have attracted almost 500 individuals to events in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham and London."
M Squared, whose world-leading photonics technology underpins the work of Nobel laureates and Russell Group universities, ranked first overall and scored No.1 in the Brands category. It also placed in the top six in Patents, Critical Databases, Software and Trade Secrets. Its pioneering R&D work impacts on sectors including healthcare, food and drink, security and defence.
Stephen Robertson added: "It is great to see the IP100 entrant pool grow year on year, and we were pleased to hit the 150th entrant earlier this year.
"Our target for 2018 is to reach 250 fast growing IP-rich companies and we are confident the continued success of our entrants combined with our internationalisation plans and our inaugural IP100 Awards dinner, will drive us on towards that target."
For further information, contact: Stephen Robertson, Metis Partners Tel: 0141 353 3011.
