“Markets, players, value chains, business models, and growth drivers”

We had the pleasure of listening to Olivier Dubuisson and Thomas F. Fouquet, Managing Partners of the Karista investment fund, who came to present their vision of the defense market and the criteria they use to select the companies in which they choose to invest. They provided valuable insight into the specific characteristics of the sector and the factors that make it attractive to startups in the field.

And what about industrial property?

An interesting point was raised during the discussion: at Karista, patents and industrial property play a less significant role in their investment choices in the Defense & Space sector 🚀 than in the Health sector.

At the same time, last week saw the publication of the Economic Newsletter (LIE) from the DRSD – Defense Intelligence and Security Directorate, which is specifically dedicated to industrial property and calls on all defense stakeholders (#BITD) to adopt a more active stance on IP in order to strengthen sovereignty and security of strategic innovations 🔐.

Without a carefully defined IP strategy, defense companies expose themselves to numerous risks: interference from foreign software suppliers or via contracts, exclusion from public procurement if third parties oppose their patents, disruption of supply chains in the event of disputes over subcontracted components, etc.

Conversely, a good IP strategy (secret know-how, software, databases, patents, contracts, etc.) offers numerous competitive advantages, particularly for:

• Discourage competitors from replicating technologies and take action against them if necessary.
• Strengthen the company’s position in negotiations with its industrial and R&D partners.
• Have the means to counterattack in the event of pressure from competitors in the field of intellectual property, thereby securing its exploitation.
• generate financial revenue through licensing, for example with players in other markets.

Many thanks to Alexandra Golovanow and CECAZ for this fascinating round table discussion on the strategic challenges facing the Defense & Space sector 🚀🛰️.

👉 Find it here : https://armement.defense.gouv.fr/la-propriete-intellectuelle-au-sein-de-la-sphere-de-defense