The Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi (COAD), part of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), has expanded the Patent Support Service to foster innovation and support the emirate’s knowledge-based economy.

The move is part of Abu Dhabi Innovates, to enhance the innovation framework in the emirate, which was launched in 2022 to support the capabilities of innovators and entrepreneurs to convert innovative ideas into services and products, supporting a diversified, smart, and sustainable economy. 

Updated terms of the Patent Support Service cover the inclusion of micro, small and medium-sized companies, alongside academic institutions and Abu Dhabi-licensed companies to incentivise them to innovate, support the diversification strategy and create jobs in the fields of knowledge and innovation.

There is also an increase in financial support for all categories of supported businesses, between 27 and 30 per cent, to support inventors in this important phase of invention journey.

Additionally, the Patent Support Service will be expanded to cover applications of concerned entities in the UAE and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Patent filing support service applications rose to 91 in 2022, up 86 per cent compared to 49 applications in 2021, while supported patent applications reached 30 compared to 3 applications in 2021.

In addition, Takamul programme aims to support inventors and promote a culture of innovation in the UAE, as well as providing patent support service internationally.

Her Excellency Hala Al Ameri, Executive Director of the Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi (COAD), said: “The expansion of the Patent Support Service’s scope reflects ADDED’s commitment to support inventors and enhance innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Since the launch of Abu Dhabi Innovates, we have been rolling out initiatives and programmes focusing on talent and knowledge, funding, space and places, demand, culture and incentives as they are key pillar to enrich innovation environment.

“Based on our ongoing communications with inventors and innovators and market studies, we take necessary steps to ensure providing an innovation-friendly environment. In cooperation with Abu Dhabi Youth Council, have launched Young Inventors initiative to support young talent, invest in their energy and potentials in developing innovation, and spreading knowledge about ADDED’s intellectual property services, and support them to increase patents”.

The Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi (COAD) has recently launched the Abu Dhabi Innovation Incubators programme which sets policies and regulations to ensure innovation incubators, investing in hi-tech solutions and research and development, supporting innovators at different stages in development. Innovation incubators play a significant role in providing a stimulating environment to support and convert ideas or scientific inventions into commercial opportunities.

COAD also launched, in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC), Abu Dhabi Technology Readiness Guide (TRL), to provide a unified measure on the level of technology readiness and maturity, based on comprehensive studies on best international standards.

For further details, please visit:

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