Unlocking the Benefits of the IP Audit Scheme for Your Business
Updated: Nov 3
What is the IP Audit Scheme?
The IP Audit scheme is run by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) as part of its support programme for innovative SMEs. It part-funds a professional intellectual property audit carried out by a qualified IP professional. This audit covers the full range of your IP: patents, trademarks, copyright, design rights, trade secrets, and how your contracts handle ownership.
A Note on Naming
The scheme has gone by different names. It was originally the IP Audit Plus programme, then briefly rebranded as IP Advance during a 2024/25 pilot. Following a review of that pilot, the UKIPO has returned to the established IP Audit scheme for 2025/26. If you have searched for any of these names, they all refer to the same underlying programme.
What You Get and What It Costs You
Eligible businesses receive £2,250 (including VAT) in UKIPO funding toward the audit. Your contribution is £750 (including VAT). The total value of the audit is £3,000.
Successful Applicants Receive:
A bespoke IP audit report with tailored recommendations for your business.
Cost projections for implementing the recommendations.
A recommended timeline for action.
A follow-up consultation with an IP expert to review the findings.
That last point matters. The audit does not end with a report. You get a consultation to review what was found and discuss next steps, which is where most of the practical value sits.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify, your business must:
Be a UK-registered SME (generally: fewer than 250 employees, annual turnover under £36 million).
Be actively engaged with a business support programme through one of the UKIPO's regional partner organisations.
Show clear potential to benefit from specialist IP management support.
Most early-stage UK startups and growing SMEs will meet the size criteria. The key condition is the regional partner requirement, which we cover in the next section.
Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and funding is not automatically guaranteed. But if your business is actively developing or commercialising IP, the case for it is usually straightforward to make.
How to Apply
The scheme is delivered through regional partners, and all applications must go through a Business Advisor from one of those organisations. You do not apply directly to the UKIPO.
The Regional Partners Are:
England: Innovate UK Business Growth (contact@innovateukbg.ukri.org)
Scotland: Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Scotland (South): South of Scotland Enterprise
Wales: Welsh Government
Northern Ireland: Invest Northern Ireland
The Application Process:
Contact your regional partner and speak with a Business Advisor. They assess whether your business is eligible and whether IP support is a good fit.
If eligible, your Business Advisor submits the application to the UKIPO on your behalf.
The UKIPO reviews and approves the application. Funding is not automatic, but eligible businesses actively developing IP are generally strong candidates.
Once approved, a qualified IP professional conducts the audit. You pay your £750 contribution; the UKIPO covers the remaining £2,250.
You receive the audit report, cost projections, action timeline, and a follow-up consultation.
What Happens During the Audit?
An IP audit is not a legal filing exercise. It is a structured review of what your business has built. This includes code, brand, designs, processes, and data. The audit assesses who owns it, how well it is protected, and where the gaps are.
Common Issues Uncovered:
For most UK startups, the audit surfaces things they did not know were issues:
Code or designs built by contractors who were never asked to assign their IP in writing.
A brand name that has been in use for two years with no trademark registration.
IP that was created before the company was incorporated and was never formally transferred to the company.
Potential patent opportunities that have never been assessed because nobody thought to look.
The audit report sets out each gap, its risk level, a cost projection for fixing it, and a recommended timeline. It gives you a clear picture of where you stand and a prioritised list of what to do next.
Why Clarity Matters
For a startup approaching a fundraising round, that clarity is worth considerably more than the £750 you contribute. Investors' legal teams look at the IP chain of ownership as a first-pass check. An audit that surfaces and fixes gaps before due diligence is a much better outcome than discovering them under time pressure mid-round.
Is This the Right Starting Point for Your Business?
If you are a UK SME and you have not yet had a professional review of your IP position, the scheme is worth understanding. This is especially true if you are already engaged with Innovate UK Business Growth or one of the other regional partners.
Take the First Step with 8 Bit IP
The free scoping call at 8 Bit IP is the right first step. In an hour, we can help you understand whether the scheme applies to your situation, what an audit would actually cover in your case, and what the process looks like from here.
With the right guidance, you can level up your IP strategy and secure your innovations globally. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your business's IP position.
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