The WIPO Global Awards honors outstanding businesses and individuals who effectively utilize intellectual property for commercialization while also making a positive impact on society through their innovation and creativity.
The yearly awards competitions welcome participants from WIPO’s 193 Member States and a variety of economic sectors. Initially focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the competition added a new category for startups in 2024. There are plans to introduce more categories in subsequent editions of the program.
Benefits
- Finalists and winners will gain global promotion, acknowledgment, and exposure across multiple channels.
- Winners are offered the opportunity to participate in the awards ceremony and other networking events held in Geneva, Switzerland, with travel expenses covered.
- Winners will benefit from a tailored mentorship program.
Eligibility Criteria
For SMEs
The Awards Program is available to all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in at least one of WIPO’s 193 Member States, and meeting the following requirements:
- The SME must be a registered business entity, with proof of registration being necessary.
- It should have no more than 300 employees and up to 15 million US dollars in total annual sales.
- The SME must hold at least one registered intellectual property (IP) right.
- It should be exporting its products or services to at least one country.
For startups
The Awards Program is available to all startups operating in at least one of WIPO’s 193 Member States, and meeting the following criteria:
- The startup must have a registered business entity with a legal existence of no more than three years, and proof of registration is mandatory.
- It should have no more than 50 employees.
- The startup must have an innovative product or service associated with intellectual property (IP) rights.
- It must have submitted at least one application for the registration of an IP right and/or hold at least one registered IP right.
- The startup should be affiliated with a business support organization, such as an incubator, accelerator, or similar entity, and proof of affiliation is required.
- The startup must demonstrate its engagement with at least one commercial customer, and/or complete a business sale, and/or secure one investor.
Submission Process
- Each entrant is limited to submitting a single entry. They can choose to submit their entry in either the SMEs or startups category, but not both.
- All entries for the Awards Program must be submitted in one of the six UN official languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish), or Japanese through the online application form.
- The online application form will request participants to provide detailed information on how they are utilizing intellectual property rights to commercialize their products/services at the regional or international level. Participants should also describe the potential or existing contribution of their products/services to economic, social, or cultural development. For startups, additional information on their intellectual property commercialization plans will be requested.
Application Deadline
March 31, 2024.
