The mini course will cover the following subjects: what inventors need to know about patents, patent examples with some useful understanding from each, patent ethics, and ways of monetizing patents. Participants will gain insights on how to improve ideas and what to do with ideas in order to avoid mistakes.
In his story-driven sessions, Shmuel will guide you through:
Shmuel will also explain why most inventors are solving the wrong problems, and how the biggest barrier to innovation is often the "first obvious solution". His workshops focus on helping you see beyond the initial idea, refining it into something that is economically valuable, strategically protected, and practically impactful.
The registration is non-binding and serves to better organize the space.
Every day there will be two approximately 2-hour blocks with a lunch break and a follow-up discussion:
| Tuesday, September 2nd | 09:30–15:30 registration opens at 09:00 |
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| Wednesday, September 3rd | 09:00–14:30 |
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In-person attendees will have the opportunity for an individual consultation with Shmuel Ur, for example, regarding their own idea, research project, or patent strategy.
Shmuel Ur is a prolific inventor, researcher, and innovator with a PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Operations Research from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he was mentored by Nobel Laureate Herbert Simon and renowned optimization expert Mike Trick. Shmuel is driven by the belief that "problems are more important than solutions". Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in identifying future challenges that don't yet exist and crafting visionary solutions that anticipate how technologies will evolve. From developing early concepts in invisible printing (used globally today) to pioneering patents in augmented reality skin shops and deepfake detection strategies, his work often foreshadows trends that become industry standards years later.
Beyond his personal innovations, Shmuel is an active mentor and educator. His workshops empower inventors and entrepreneurs to navigate the complex world of intellectual property, teaching them how to avoid the common mistakes that inventors make, understand the economics of ideas, and align patent strategies with business objectives.
With a long career at IBM Research, he specialized in software verification and testing, earning the prestigious title of IBM Master Inventor. His contributions have been pivotal in advancing and innovative technologies, leading to more than 230 granted U.S. patents and the sale of over 60 original ideas to leading companies and startups. He has also been instrumental in co-founding and shaping many tech conferences, contributing over 60 publications to the global research community.
His work spans a diverse range of fields, including:
With a rare blend of technical mastery and entrepreneurial spirit, Shmuel Ur continues to push the boundaries of innovation, collaborating with startups, industry leaders, and academic institutions worldwide.