Two UK Edtech Startups Secure Panasonic Patents Through IPHatch

Panasonic patents go to two UK technology startups, The Discourse AI and Mixd Reality, through the IPHatch UK 2026 competition

Two UK education technology startups, The Discourse AI and Mixd Reality, have secured three Panasonic patents through the IPHatch UK 2026 competition. Five businesses were selected from 21 finalists, receiving a total of eight patents developed by Panasonic, Nokia, NEC and DENSO.

The Discourse AI, based in Suffolk, received two patents, while Staffordshire-based Mixd Reality secured one. The companies work in education technology, with Mixd Reality also involved in augmented reality in education.

The other recipients were CALMS International, Cyber Nandhini and RS9 Technologies. CALMS International received a patent from NEC, while Cyber Nandhini secured one from Nokia. RS9 Technologies, a cybersecurity and AI company based in the West Midlands, received three patents from DENSO.

Five Businesses Selected From 21 Finalists

The final pitches took place at City of Glasgow College, which hosts the UK competition in partnership with the Scottish Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange.

The competition connects smaller businesses with patented technologies developed by multinational corporations. Under the arrangement, startups receive access to existing intellectual property in exchange for an equity stake.

How the IPHatch Program Works

The program is operated by Piece Future, a Singapore-based intellectual property investment bank established in 2016.

According to IPHatch, its activities have resulted in the commercialization of more than 350 patents and supported over 100 startups through 14 competitions across 12 markets.

For the two education businesses, the Panasonic patents provide access to existing corporate technology. However, the specific applications of the patents and plans for their commercial use have not been disclosed.

IPHatch Plans Further Expansion in Europe

Deepak Pathak, European Ambassador for Piece Future/IPHatch, joined the organization in summer 2026 after working with Innovate UK. His current responsibilities include expanding the program across Europe.

Pathak has also expressed an ambition to increase the number of British businesses receiving patents through the initiative, with a longer-term goal of helping more startups establish international connections.

The latest results add two education-focused businesses to the list of UK technology startups gaining access to intellectual property through the program.

FAQs

1. Which UK startups received Panasonic patents?

The Discourse AI received two patents, while Mixd Reality received one.

2. How many patents were awarded through IPHatch UK 2026?

Five businesses received eight patents from Panasonic, Nokia, NEC and DENSO.

3. What is IPHatch?

IPHatch is a program that connects startups with patented technologies held by established corporations in exchange for equity.

4. What does Mixd Reality do?

Mixd Reality is a Staffordshire-based company working in augmented reality and education technology.

5. Which other companies received patents in the competition?

CALMS International, Cyber Nandhini and RS9 Technologies were the other three winners.