Research & Development (R&D) and Innovation Management

Areas of expertise

Devising Research & Development strategies and advising on the development of new products and services

We perform reviews of the following key aspects of R&D and Product/Service Development strategies:

• Devising an innovation strategy
• Identifying and prioritizing strategic initiatives
• Defining the optimum business model of an R&D department
• Analyzing the portfolio of intellectual property (IP) rights and choosing the optimum commercialization strategy
• Designing models and rules of cooperation with business and academic partners

Improving operational and financial effectiveness of the Research & Development function

We design and implement solutions that improve the efficiency of the R&D function:

• Organizational structures tailored to the product life cycle and the requirements of the R&D processes
• Processes and tools for R&D management, particularly in the field of Project & Portfolio Management
• Performance measurement systems and R&D knowledge management tools
• Models for the analysis, evaluation and selection of R&D projects
• Strategies that enhance long-term profitability of R&D projects and of new products & services
• Architecture and IT solutions that support the implementation of performance improvement measures
• Post-Merger Integration (PMI) of R&D function

Research & Development outsourcing

We provide comprehensive advisory and management services in the field of R&D outsourcing:

• Analyzing potential alternatives and determining optimum R&D outsourcing strategies
• Analyzing and recommending optimum locations for the outsourced R&D activities
• Assistance in the identification and selection of outsourcing service providers
• Planning and implementing process migration
• Performing financial analyses
• Project management
• Change management
• Developing and managing Business Cases

Acquiring financial support from EU and national funds

Our support in the process of applying for R&D grants and incentives includes:

• Analyzing the possibilities of obtaining Tax-Exempt Status or receiving financial support from both EU and national funds (including projects for establishing R&D Centres)
• Developing strategies for applying for investment incentives
• Analyzing a projects’ potential for financing
• Completing application documents and supporting the Client during the implementation phase of the project
• Supporting the Client in negotiations with public institutions and authorities
• Supporting the final settlement of the obtained funding
• Reporting on the implementation of the financed project
• Supporting the process of obtaining bridge or complementary financing from multilateral institutions and commercial banks

Tax advisory services

We advise our clients on tax issues related to the commercialization of R&D outputs. The scope of tax advice we provide covers the following areas:

• Developing an optimum tax structure for the commercialization of R&D outputs
• Analyzing the opportunities to minimize the tax rate through the use of international tax planning structures
• Optimizing the VAT structure by increasing the rate of tax-deductible VAT
• Analyzing possibilities of receiving the benefit of tax exemption in the field of personal income tax law (applicable to entities investing their profits in R&D activities)
• Determining forms of cooperation with external entities, with an aim to guarantee tax-optimum structure
• Advising on transfer pricing, particularly in the field of deriving tax rules for mutual financial settlements between research units, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and other entities involved in the commercialization process
• Minimizing the tax rate on the remuneration of the personnel engaged in R&D activities
• Supporting the identification of tax reliefs on new technologies

Legal services

In terms of Research and Development activities, we offer a full range of legal services provided by our legal advisers and lawyers. These include in particular:

• Evaluating the models used by an entrepreneur to acquire the rights to innovation, in relations with employees
• Evaluating the results of R&D activities in the context of copyright law
• Advising on the protection and classification of R&D outputs as trade secrets
• Evaluating the legal possibilities to commercialize R&D outputs as:
  • Industrial Designs (assessment of the possibility of obtaining the right of registration)
  • Utility Designs (assessment of the possibility of obtaining the right of registration)
  • Inventions (assessment of the possibility of obtaining a patent for the invention)
  • Works protected by copyright and related rights
• Evaluating the business models of entities involved in R&D activities to determine limitations imposed by applicable laws

Valuations and financial modeling

Our services and expertise in the field of valuations and financial modeling include:

• Valuating intellectual property rights and other intangible assets including patents, know-how, licenses, but also trademarks, domain names and customer relationships
• Valuating contributions for transaction purposes
• Preparing business plans / financial models for assessing the potential of commercialization of R&D outputs
• Financial modeling services related to the planned acquisition of a company or the process of acquiring funds for an R&D project
• Developing comprehensive, dynamic financial models, which are tailored to the specific needs and objectives of the Client and supporting an effective management of the product/patent lifecycle

Innovation Management

We support our Clients in the planning and implementation of complex transformation projects through:

• Identifying problem areas and improving business models, processes, products & services and the organizational structure
• Performing technological audits, to identify the opportunities for new products, services & technologies, and technology transfer strategies
• Project and Program Management
• Changing organizational culture and managing communication with the stakeholders