Every year the WIPO Global Awards celebrate small businesses, start-ups and university spinouts that leverage Intellectual Property (IP) backed innovation and creativity in an exceptional manner to achieve business goals and improve society.
The WIPO Global Awards are celebrating your achievements, specifically focusing on:
- Transforming research and ideas into successful commercial ventures
- Achieving business growth through IP-driven strategies
- Developing innovations that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Our winners receive a tailored mentoring program, designed to boost winning companies further along their path of commercializing IP-backed innovation and creativity and reach out new financial sources.
Eligibility Criteria
Requirements for SMEs
- The contest is open to small businesses, start-ups including university spinouts located in one of WIPO’s 193 Member States.
- It is a registered business entity. Proof of registration is required.
- It has no more than 300 employees and up to 15 US$ millions of total annual sales.
- It is a holder of at least one registered IP right.
- It is exporting its products or services to at least one country.
Requirements for Startups
The Awards Program is open to all startups located in at least one of WIPO’s 193 Member States and meeting the following conditions:
- The startup is a registered business entity with a legal existence of no more than three years. Proof of registration is required.
- It has no more than 50 employees.
- The startup has an innovative product or service associated with IP rights.
- The startup has submitted at least one application for the registration of one IP right and/or is the holder of at least one registered IP right.
- The startup is affiliated with a business support organization, such as an incubator, an accelerator, or a similar entity. Proof of affiliation is required.
- The startup has affirmed its engagement with at least one commercial customer, and/or has completed a business sale, and/or secured one investor.
