Paris Integrating IP, Finance, and Valuation Workshop

This panel will examine “intangible value” as a central economic theme in France’s innovation and brand-driven economy. France’s global brand strength is reflected in the valuation of its leading companies, the top 50 French brands reach a combined value of US $500 billion. This setting highlights the role of brand equity in national economic performance. The discussion will explore how brands, technology, design and consumer trust operate as macroeconomic drivers for national and European attractiveness and competitiveness. As current practices regarding IP valuation, accounting and lending contain obstacles for the quantification and reporting of the intellectual property rights that form the foundation of enterprise longevity, market performance and investor confidence, panelists will consider how IP assets are measured, protected, and monetized, and why IP is the critical component of value creation in knowledge-based and consumer-facing industries.

Moderator:

• Zeeger Vink, Intellectual Property Director at MF Brands, (Switzerland)

Focusing on valuation in real-world financial and commercial contexts, this panel will explore how different forms of IP—including patents, trademarks, data, and trade secrets and “non-traditional” forms of IP—are assessed and used in investment, financing, and corporate decision-making. Particular attention will be given to trade secrets and know-how, where challenges remain in translating these assets into measurable financial valuation. Given a lack of standardized valuation methodology, business investment in innovation in France remains comparatively moderate relative to OECD peers, establishing a gap between innovation inputs and commercialized, value-generating outputs. The discussion will address valuation methodologies, evidentiary challenges, and emerging expectations around transparency and governance in IP-driven transactions.

Moderator:

• Thomas Gounel, Managing Director and Head of France Valuation Services at Alvarez & Marsal (France)

Speaker:

• Emmanuel Ronco, Partner, Co-Head TMT Corporate Europe, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (France)

This panel explores how French SMEs, startups, and scale-ups can use intellectual property as a strategic business and financing tool. Focusing on the French innovation and funding landscape, the discussion will examine how IP assets can support growth, market expansion, and access to finance. 

Panelists will discuss how French SMEs can leverage IP in investment and acquisition contexts, including its role in valuation, due diligence, and purchase decisions. The session will also highlight funding pathways relevant in France, from bank lending and government-backed instruments to equity financing, public grants, licensing, and strategic partnerships. 

Participants will gain insight into how investors and funders in France assess intangible assets, what strengthens an SME’s investment case, and how effective IP strategy can help unlock capital, reduce risk, and accelerate scale in domestic and international markets. 

Moderator:

• Catherine Mateu, Partner at Armengaud Guerlain (France)

Speaker:

• Julien Signès, Co-Founder & CEO at New Venture (France)