What HGF does

HGF is a European intellectual property law firm founded in 1995 in Leeds, UK, operating under the legal entity HGF Limited. It provides full-spectrum IP services spanning patents, trade marks, designs, copyright and database rights, oppositions and appeals, SPCs and patent term extensions, IP litigation, transactional IP, IP due diligence, searching and competitor monitoring, strategy, formalities and renewals, data protection, and advertising law. The firm is organized into five sector groups (Chemistry, Life Sciences, Technology & Engineering, Trade Marks, and Law) and serves roughly 3,000 organizations across pharmaceuticals, life sciences, technology, food and drink, retail, FemTech, energy, finance, healthcare, universities, and research institutions. It supports multinational corporates, SMEs, universities and research institutions across 25 offices in seven European countries (UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, France, Austria), with a stated headcount of 190+ patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, IP solicitors, and Rechtsanwälte, many of whom hold PhDs and have prior in-house industry experience.

Name

HGF

Legal name

HGF Limited

Website

https://hgf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

HGF is a European intellectual property law firm with 190+ attorneys operating across 25 offices in 7 countries, providing full-spectrum patent, trade mark, and IP advisory services to 3,000+ multinational, SME, and academic clients, with particular depth in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Intellectual Property Legal Services

NAICS

Legal Services (5411), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541)

akta.pro primary industry

Patent Prosecution & Portfolio Management (BPAHAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

IP Search, Watch & Competitive Intelligence (BPAHAMAI), IP Filing, Annuities & Renewals Administration (BPAHAMAJ), IP Management, Patents & Trademark Software (BPAEAPAN)

Keywords

• Intellectual property services
• Patent prosecution
• Trade mark protection
• IP litigation
• EPO oppositions

Headquarters

HQ city

Leeds

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices23 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. IP Advisory Services: Professional services revenue generated from providing intellectual property advisory services including patent prosecution, trade mark registration, IP strategy, due diligence, and portfolio management. Services are delivered by patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, IP solicitors, and attorneys-at-law.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

HGF is a European intellectual property firm providing comprehensive IP services including patent drafting and prosecution, trade mark registration and opposition, IP litigation, EPO oppositions and appeals, Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), design rights, copyright, trade secrets, IP due diligence, and portfolio management. Services are delivered by 190+ patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, IP solicitors, and attorneys-at-law through 25 offices across 7 European countries. The firm serves multinational corporations, SMEs, universities, and research institutions across multiple industry verticals.

Product overview

HGF is a comprehensive intellectual property firm offering a broad portfolio of IP services organized as distinct practice areas rather than a unified software platform. Core services include Patents, Trade Marks, Designs, Copyright & Database Rights, IP Litigation, Oppositions & Appeals, Patent Term Extensions & SPCs, Utility Models, Trade Secrets, Transactional IP & Commercial Support, Due Diligence, Searching & Competitor Monitoring, Strategy, Formalities & Renewals, In-House Legal Support, Data Protection & Privacy, and Advertising. The firm operates specialized Sector Groups for Chemistry, Life Sciences, Technology & Engineering, Law, and Trade Marks, serving industries including pharmaceuticals, food & drink, FemTech, retail, healthcare, energy, finance, and creative/media. Supporting offerings include the Knowledge Hub (featuring the Fashionably IP podcast, IP Kitchen podcast, and HGF Presents video series), the proprietary OCIS client portal for docketing, and UP & UPC advisory services. The portfolio spans 25 offices across 7 European countries with 190+ patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, and IP solicitors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Patents

Quantifiable outcome

• Supporting over 3,000 organizations with IP services
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves29 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bird & Bird: International law firm with one of the largest dedicated IP practices globally, including strong pan-European patent litigation capability. Competes with HGF for cross-border IP mandates but offers broader legal services.
• Hogan Lovells: Global law firm with a top-tier IP practice covering patents, trade marks, and litigation across all major jurisdictions. Competes for large multinational IP portfolios but as part of a broader full-service offering.

Direct peers

• Marks & Clerk: One of Europe's largest dedicated IP firms with a similar pan-European footprint and comparable patent and trade mark practice. Direct competitor for cross-border IP mandates across the same geographies.
• Mewburn Ellis: UK-headquartered IP firm with strong chemistry, life sciences, and engineering practices. Closely comparable in size, sector focus, and European service offering.
• Mathys & Squire: Long-established UK patent and trade mark attorney firm with strong European IP prosecution practice. Comparable in client base mix and chemistry/life sciences specialism.
• Boult Wade Tennant: UK-based IP firm with full-service patent and trade mark capabilities across Europe. Comparable size and practice breadth.
• Withers & Rogers: European IP firm headquartered in the UK with offices across multiple jurisdictions, focused on patent and trade mark prosecution in engineering, chemistry, and life sciences.
• Potter Clarkson: Nottingham-based IP firm with strong patent prosecution and litigation capability. Overlaps with HGF in UK chemistry and life sciences work.
• Carpmaels & Ransford: London-headquartered patent and trade mark firm with strong EPO oppositions practice and pan-European coverage. Directly competes for high-stakes IP mandates.
• J A Kemp: London-based IP firm with deep expertise in chemistry, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals — overlapping significantly with HGF's largest sector groups.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hgf-limited-intellectual-property-specialists
• Xx.com/hgf_ip

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HGF