Redefine Patent Evaluation: Take part in the 4th CodeFest and Innovate, Code, and Transform
The European Patent Office (EPO) has launched the fourth edition of its CodeFest competition, inviting participants from EPO member states to take part in the challenge. This year's competition aims to support smarter investment and IP management through coding skills, as well as to help startups and inventors secure funding and scale sustainably within Europe's innovation ecosystem.
The competition is centred around creating code-driven solutions for assessing the value of patents. The goal is to use data analytics to transform complex patent data into actionable insights, with the ultimate aim of creating an automated patent valuation system.
To participate, individuals and teams of up to five members are invited to submit their proposals by 16 November 2025, 23.59 hrs CET. Proposals should outline the approach for solving the coding challenge, including data selection, possible model implementation, and model evaluation. They should also include an explanation of how the proposed application can benefit users.
The EPO will provide participants with free access to the world's largest patent data collection during the second round of the competition. In addition, participants will have access to EPO patent knowledge products and services, including the Technology Intelligence Platform. They are invited to develop automated systems using EPO tools like the Technology Intelligence Platform.
The competition is open to all, with teams made up of EPO staff, external entrants, or a mixture of both welcome. Women with an enthusiasm for technology and innovation are highly encouraged to participate.
The deadline for proposals is fast approaching, and the completed form for submissions should contain personal information of all team members, who must register individually and indicate if they are part of a team.
The competition offers three prizes: EUR 20,000 for the grand prize winner, EUR 10,000 for the first runner-up, and EUR 5,000 for the second runner-up. The winners of the CodeFest 2026 organized by the European Patent Office have not been announced yet, and the award ceremony date is not publicly available.
To register and find out more about the competition, visit the CodeFest 2026 page. This is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact in the field of patent valuation and to contribute to the growth of Europe's innovation ecosystem. Don't miss out – submit your proposal today!
