Mr. Abhijit Bhand, Intellectual Property Consultant, was invited as the keynote expert to conduct a specialized webinar on "Protecting IPR & IP Management for Startups" at GH Raisoni College of Engineering & Management (GHRCEM), Pune. The programme was organized by the Eureka Innovation and Incubation Center in collaboration with the Institution's Innovation Council (IIC) under the prestigious AICTE Margdarshan Scheme. The webinar engaged 125 participants, including students, startup founders, innovators, researchers, and faculty members from various disciplines.
The session was designed to equip participants with a practical understanding of how intellectual property can be strategically leveraged to protect innovation, strengthen business competitiveness, and accelerate the growth of startup ventures. Throughout the webinar, Mr. Bhand emphasized that intellectual property should be viewed not merely as a legal safeguard but as a strategic asset capable of enhancing enterprise value, attracting investment, and facilitating technology commercialization.
The programme provided a comprehensive overview of the major forms of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs, and trade secrets, while explaining their significance within the startup ecosystem.
Participants gained practical insights into identifying protectable innovations, understanding patentability requirements, protecting brands through trademarks, safeguarding confidential business information, and developing effective intellectual property strategies from the earliest stages of product development.
Drawing upon his extensive experience in intellectual property consulting and startup advisory, Mr. Bhand discussed several practical aspects of IP management, including ownership of intellectual property created by founders and employees, maintaining confidentiality prior to filing patent applications, avoiding common mistakes during innovation development, and integrating intellectual property into fundraising, licensing, technology transfer, and commercialization strategies. The session also highlighted the various government initiatives and support mechanisms available to startups for securing intellectual property protection in India.
The webinar concluded with an engaging interactive discussion, during which participants raised questions relating to patent filing procedures, trademark registration, software-related inventions, AI-driven innovations, commercialization of research, and intellectual property strategy for early-stage ventures. The active participation demonstrated the growing awareness among students and entrepreneurs regarding the importance of protecting innovation through effective intellectual property management.
The successful organization of the programme was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Dr. Sarika Khope, Event Coordinator and Head – Innovation & Incubation, whose exceptional coordination, meticulous planning, and continuous support played a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth execution of the event. Her commitment to promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry-academia collaboration has been instrumental in creating meaningful learning opportunities for students and aspiring entrepreneurs. Appreciation is also extended to Dr. Anil Sahu, Chief Coordinator of the AICTE Margdarshan Scheme, Dr. N. B. Hulle, I/C Director, and Dr. R. D. Kharadkar, Campus Director, for their encouragement and support in making the programme a success.
Through expert sessions such as this, Mr. Abhijit Bhand continues to contribute towards strengthening intellectual property awareness across educational institutions, startup ecosystems, and innovation centres throughout India. His sessions focus on bridging the gap between legal principles and practical implementation, enabling innovators and entrepreneurs to effectively protect, manage, and commercialize their intellectual assets while fostering a culture of innovation-driven growth.
