Zeitschrift für Evaluation: Issue 1/2025, 24. Volume The Effectiveness of Patent Support for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

The study examines the impact of support for patent applications under the WIPANO program on the likelihood of successful patent grants. One goal of the program is to assist small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in applying for industrial property rights, particularly through financial and advisory services. Based on a comparison group design, the analysis investigates whether the support increases the probability of a patent grant compared to unsupported applications by comparable SMEs. The results show that supported companies have a higher likelihood of success. The analysis, incorporating control variables such as number of employees, revenue, and company age, suggests that the support serves as an effective tool for strengthening the innovation activities of SMEs. The study provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of the program and offers starting points for future research and policy decisions.

Keywords
Patents, WIPANO, Patent Support, Quasi-Experiment