In a bid to celebrate start-ups, small businesses, and university spinouts that leverage “Intellectual Property (IP)-backed innovation and creativity in an exceptional manner to achieve business goals and improve society,” the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) established an annual WIPO Global Awards.
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The WIPO Global Awards celebrates SMEs, start-ups, and university spinouts that focus on:
- Developing innovations designed to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development GoalUs (SDGs).
- Transforming ideas and research into reality and commercial ventures.
- Achieving business growth through strategies that are IP-driven.
For SMEs to be considered eligible for the program:
- The SME must be based in one of WIPO’s 193 member countries.
- The business must be legally registered with proof.
- The business must not have over 300 employees and up to 15 million US dollars of total annual sales.
- The business must hold at least one registered IP right.
- The business should be exporting its product to at least one country.
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For startups to be considered eligible for the program:
- The startup must be located in one of WIPO’s 193 member countries.
- The startup must be legally registered and must have been legally operational for not more than three years.
- The startup must not have over 50 employees.
- The startup should have an innovative product or service associated with IP rights.
- The startup should have submitted at least one application for one IP right registration and/or is the holder of at least one IP right.
- The startup should be affiliated with a business support organization such as an accelerator, incubator, or a similar entity.
- The startup should have affirmed its engagement with at least one commercial customer and/or have completed a business sale or secured an investor.
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Some of the benefits of the program include:
- Participants will gain tailored mentorship for the commercialization of innovations and creations.
- Your business will gain access to the resources of WIPO.
- You will gain global recognition and visibility.
- You will gain access to the awards ceremony in Switzerland and other networking events with travel expenses fully covered.
The deadline for applications is March 31, 2025. Click HERE to apply.
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