Event Overview
The IP Ambassador Summer Summit 2026 takes place on 1–2 July 2026 in Split, Croatia, bringing together members of the European IP Ambassador Network for two days of collaborative learning, peer exchange and practical capacity-building.
Organised by the European IP Helpdesk and co-hosted IAM4RE.eu, this invitation-only event focuses on Intellectual Asset Management (IAM), knowledge valorisation and standardisation through an integrated Train-the-Trainer approach.
Hosted at TPS – Tehnološki park Split, the Summit welcomes IP Ambassadors from 23 European countries, providing an opportunity to exchange experiences, strengthen competencies and explore practical approaches to maximising the impact of research and innovation.
The event is particularly significant as it demonstrates how established multiplier networks can support the wider uptake of Intellectual Asset Management practices across Europe, helping participants transfer knowledge and methodologies into their own organisations and regional ecosystems.
IAM4RE at the Event
The IP Ambassador Summer Summit 2026 marks the official launch of the IAM4RE Train-the-Trainer programme, representing an important milestone in the project's capacity-building activities.
Through interactive training sessions and collaborative learning, participants experience the IAM4RE methodology first-hand, integrating Intellectual Asset Management, Standardisation, and Market & Ecosystem thinking into a practical training framework. The Summit serves as a live demonstration of the Train-the-Trainer approach, equipping IP Ambassadors with knowledge and tools they can replicate within their own networks, directly supporting IAM4RE's objective of expanding the adoption of Intellectual Asset Management across Europe.
Learn more about the IAM4RE.eu Train-the-Trainer programme and how it enables organisations and knowledge transfer professionals to deliver IAM4RE.eu training within their own communities.
Katiuska Cruz
Coordinator for Entrepreneurship at ANI - Agência Nacional de Inovação, Porto, Portugal
Katiuska Cruz brings over 20 years of experience in finance, business development, and policy advisory, with a strong focus on fostering innovation and knowledge valorisation. She currently leads the Knowledge Valorisation area at the Portuguese National Innovation Agency (ANI), where she works to strengthen collaboration between research institutions and industry, ensuring that research outcomes are translated into societal and economic impact.
As an Assistant Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, she supports students and researchers in developing an entrepreneurial mindset and innovation culture. In addition, she served as a European Commission Expert on knowledge valorisation, contributing to reports that address strategic challenges such as the green and digital transitions.
Her experience uniquely positions her to provide insights into knowledge valorisation, intellectual asset management, and the role of innovation agencies in supporting standardization and entrepreneurship.
Hana Tomášková
Vice-Rector for Research, Development and Knowledge Transfer, University of Hradec Králové (Czech Republic)
Assoc. Prof. Hana Tomášková serves as the Vice-Rector for Research, Development and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Hradec Králové. Her professional focus lies in fostering open science, strengthening doctoral education, and creating institutional frameworks that support both secure and innovative research environments.
She advocates for a comprehensive approach to intellectual asset management that goes beyond traditional intellectual property protection and embraces diverse forms of transferable knowledge and innovation. Under her leadership, the University of Hradec Králové systematically strengthens its capacity in knowledge transfer, open science, and institutional safety, ensuring that strategic management principles are effectively embedded into everyday research and operational practice.
Alessandra Bacigotti
ASTP EU Expert, Knowledge Transfer Manager, University of Bologna, Italy
Since 2013, Alessandra has been in charge of IP Protection of research results, management of the patent portfolio, IP Management within EU, collaborative and contract research projects, innovation management, university-enterprise relations, and management of international projects promoting technology transfer and university-enterprise collaboration.
Before joining the KTO, she was a Research Advisor and Project Manager for over 10 years, in charge of proposal writing, contract negotiation and project management for EU, national and regional funded projects, in particular within research programmes funding university-enterprise collaboration.
Since 2016, Alessandra has been an expert evaluator of proof-of-concept proposals funded by the European Research Council Executive Agency.
Christophe Haunold
Head of Partnerships, Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office University of Luxembourg
Christophe is Head of the Partnerships, Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office at the University of Luxembourg, where he leads efforts to strengthen partnerships, valorisation, and spin-off creation. With over 25 years of experience in research–industry collaboration, he has held senior leadership roles in technology transfer in France and Luxembourg, including at Toulouse INP, Toulouse Tech Transfer, and Réseau C.U.R.I.E.. He recently served as President of ASTP, Europe’s leading knowledge transfer association, and continues to act as an expert for the European Commission and international organisations on IP, innovation, and valorisation. Christophe is also deeply involved in professional development and training for knowledge transfer practitioners across Europe.