House of IP Launches to Unify Fragmented IP Market with Full-Cycle Model

AMSTERDAM, April 30, 2026 – A new entity, House of IP (HoIP), launched today with a bold mission to consolidate the fragmented intellectual property services market by offering a fully integrated, end-to-end solution for innovators and patent holders. The group announced its formation alongside its first strategic acquisition, taking a majority stake in Patentwerk B.V., a leading European patent prosecution firm based in the Netherlands.

Backed by the formidable IP monetization engine i4E BV, House of IP is positioning itself as a global center of excellence that combines the traditionally separate disciplines of patent filing and prosecution with strategic commercialization, including licensing, valuation, and enforcement. This “full-cycle” approach aims to transform intellectual property from a defensive asset or cost center into a primary driver of commercial growth, a move that could send ripples through the entire professional services industry.

A New Blueprint for IP Value Creation

For decades, companies have navigated a splintered IP landscape, often engaging one firm for patent drafting and prosecution, another for litigation, and yet another for licensing strategy. House of IP intends to dismantle this siloed approach. The group's model is built on acquiring specialized competencies within patent attorney, trademark, and legal firms to create a unified platform.

"The IP industry has reached an inflection point," said Edith Hermans, Managing Director at House of IP, in a statement. She cited a rapidly evolving landscape where the Unified Patent Court (UPC), talent recruitment, AI, and increasing customer demands create new challenges. "At the same time, a significant share of valuable patents expire every day without ever being commercially exploited... House of IP addresses this fragmentation through a more integrated model, combining high-quality patent prosecution with strategic IP advice and commercialization."

The credibility of this ambitious strategy is significantly bolstered by its strategic investor, i4E BV. For over fifteen years, i4E has honed its IP monetization expertise through its flagship company, i4F, a global leader in licensing technologies for the home improvement sector. With a portfolio of over 2,000 patents, i4F has a proven track record of turning intellectual property into substantial revenue streams, providing HoIP with not just capital, but a battle-tested playbook for commercial success.

Strategic First Move in a Shifting Europe

The acquisition of Patentwerk as the group’s founding firm is a calculated and timely first step. Founded in 1998, Patentwerk has built a strong reputation as a boutique firm specializing in high-quality patent prosecution, particularly for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Netherlands. The firm is recognized in industry rankings like JUVE Patent and IAM for its technical expertise in chemicals, electronics, and mechanics.

By securing a majority stake in a respected European firm, House of IP gains an immediate and credible foothold on the continent. This move is particularly strategic in the context of the new Unified Patent Court (UPC), which has fundamentally altered the dynamics of patent litigation and enforcement across Europe. An integrated entity that can seamlessly manage prosecution before the European Patent Office (EPO) and coordinate strategy within the new UPC framework offers a compelling advantage to clients navigating this complex environment.

The partnership is designed to be symbiotic. House of IP will provide Patentwerk with expanded international reach and access to its powerful commercialization infrastructure, while preserving the firm's professional independence and direct client relationships—a key concern for many specialized firms considering consolidation.

Bas Langenhuijsen, Managing Partner at Patentwerk, highlighted the unique appeal of this model. "At Patentwerk, we've shown, together with i4F, that patent prosecution and IP monetization can create a self-reinforcing cycle of royalties, reinvestment, and new IP," he stated. "That's fundamentally different from traditional consolidation models, which offer growth but limited new revenue opportunities. Joining House of IP as a founding firm is our answer."

An Answer to Industry-Wide Pressures

House of IP’s launch comes as the legal and IP sectors grapple with significant systemic challenges. A persistent talent shortage has made it difficult for firms to recruit and retain qualified professionals. Reports indicate a sharp decline in new patent attorneys entering the field, as lucrative careers in technology and engineering draw science graduates away from the legal profession. For smaller, independent firms, this talent crunch is compounded by the need for succession planning. HoIP’s model, which emphasizes talent development and provides a structured path for firm continuity, may present an attractive alternative to owners looking toward the future.

Simultaneously, the rise of Artificial Intelligence is reshaping workflows, offering powerful tools for prior art searches and patent drafting while also introducing complex questions about data security and professional oversight. A consolidated, well-capitalized group like House of IP is better positioned to invest in and manage the adoption of AI technologies at scale, potentially creating an efficiency gap that smaller competitors will struggle to close.

By uniting specialized firms, House of IP aims to create a more resilient and adaptable organization. For patent holders, the promise is a single, trusted partner that aligns patent strategy directly with business outcomes. For IP firms, it offers a path to growth that respects their professional identity and autonomy while connecting them to a global platform for commercialization, turning their clients' innovations into tangible financial returns.