WIPO Global Awards

Awarding innovative and creative companies that turn Intellectual Property (IP) into economic and societal value.

We celebrate and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups that use IP to grow their business and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Winners receive a personalized mentorship and exclusive support to facilitate their access to funding and business opportunities.
New for 2026: An additional “Sports” category bringing total awards to 11, including special mentions for the Best Woman Entrepreneur and Best Youth Entrepreneur (under 35).
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WIPO Global Awards 2026

Application to the WIPO Global Awards 2026 is opened, please apply before March 31.
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Why should you apply to the WIPO Global Awards

Winning the WIPO Global Awards places your company on the global stage. Led by WIPO, the UN agency for Innovation and Creativity, the Awards bring strong credibility for how your business transforms IP into real commercial value.

«The WIPO Global Awards provided valuable support that proved highly fruitful for the deals we secured.»

Alexis von Tschammer, CEO, Lactips. Lactips raised €16 million and now plans to scale across Europe, the Americas and Japan.

«The WIPO Global Awards provided valuable support that proved highly
fruitful for the deals we secured.»

Alexis von Tschammer, CEO, Lactips. Lactips raised €16 million and now plans to scale across Europe, the Americas and Japan.

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Gain global recognition and visibility

  • Be celebrated in Geneva in front of leaders from 194 countries.
  • Gain international media exposure.
  • Receive promotional material to increase your company credibility.

Receive acceleration & strategic business support

  • Access an exclusive 2-day workshop on IP and Business. 
  • Benefit from a six-month tailored 1:1 mentoring package. 
  • Attend year-round online fireside chats with experts.

Have access to exclusive networking opportunities

  • Access exclusive benefits from our Ecosystem Partners: investors, corporates, accelerators, tradeshows and service providers. 
  • Join the WIPO Global Awards Alumni Community: 100+ business pioneers turning intellectual property into real-world impact.

How to apply to the WIPO Global Awards

Learn more about eligibility, evaluation criteria, jury, and timeline on the How to Apply page.
Open to startups and SMEs from all 194 WIPO Member States.

You can apply if your business:

  • Is legally registered
  • Has a maximum of 300 employees and USD 15M in annual revenue
  • Offers an innovative product or service linked to IP
  • Holds at least one pending (for startups) or registered (for SMEs) IP right
  • Shows early-market activity (for startups) or commercial traction (for SMEs)
Applications: January 15 – March 31
Evaluation by an independent international jury

How to apply to the WIPO Global Awards 2026

Find out everything you need to prepare a strong application (eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, jury process, key dates and the next steps to follow) in our online guide.

Previous WIPO Global Awards Winners

Hummingbird Bioscience — Singapore

Health / SME

Antibody therapeutics

Glovatrix — India

Health / Startup

Sign-to-speech gloves

Carbfix — Iceland

Environment / SME

CO₂ mineral storage

Smart Drain - Urban Inventors — Sri Lanka

Environment / Startup

Anti-flood drain system

PhageLab — Chile

Agrifood / SME

Antibiotic alternatives

Planetary — Switzerland

Agrifood / Startup

Mycoprotein fermentation tech

ClicknClear — United Kingdom

Creative Industries / SME

Music rights licensing

CodeGream — Republic of Korea

Creative Industries / Startup

3D product showcase

Unitree Robotics — China

ICT / SME

Quadruped robotics

Quinas Technology — United Kingdom

ICT / Startup

Next-gen memory chips

AETECH — Republic of Korea

Greentech & Circular economy
AI waste-sorting system

Farmer Lifeline Technologies — Kenya

Greentech & Agrifood
AI pests detecting system for crops

Healinno Tech — China

Health
Waterjet surgical robot for BPH

Laboratorios Quimica Luar — Argentina

Health
Inhalable ibuprofen-based formulation

Meticuly — Thailand

Health
3D printed bone replacements

PONS Technology — Türkiye

Health
Scans outside of hospital settings

Qnami — Switzerland

ICT
Quantum diamond microscope technology

ScansX — Kuwait

Health
Brain scanner for early signs of tumors

VIVO Surgical — Singapore

Health
High-precision surgical tools

Aerosol — Slovenia

Health & Environment
Air quality measurement instruments

CRQM — Mexico

Health Tech, Services & Research
Nanotechnology platform for retinal drug delivery

Flexxon — Singapore

Cybersecurity Hardware & Software
AI-powered solutions against real-time ransom attacks

Lactips — France

Green Solutions
Plastic-free technology that is fully biodegradable

Westwell — China

Green Solutions
Intelligent and eco-friendly solutions for bulk logistics

KissFuture — China

Virtual Reality Technology
Immersive solutions for cinemas and cultural institutions

Yakwetu — Kenya

Entertainment Technology
Digital content distribution combatting piracy

Hydraloop — Netherlands

Green Solutions
Designs and produces decentralized water recycling products

Raycan — China

Health Services & Research
Medical imaging technology

Lucence — Singapore

Health Technology & Research
Early detection and treatment of cancer

Shylon — China

Green Solutions
Energy-saving lights for indoor and outdoor use

Splink — Japan

Health Technology
Diagnosis of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases

Success stories for the WIPO Global Awards winners

Since 2022, more than 30 winners from all regions and sectors have joined the Global Awards community, companies that have:
  • saved up to 50% of their IP budget
  • upgraded their IP portfolios and commercial strategies
  • gained visibility inside the UN system
  • accessed new international markets
  • secured new investors, clients, and partners

«This Award validated years of hard work and opened doors to the global IP community.»

Chantal Epp, CEO of ClicknClear, Winner 2025

«The mentorship allowed us to save up to 50% on our IP budget […] an immense advantage for our startup.»

Yilun Shi, CEO of Healinno Tech, Winner 2024

«We’ve learned to prioritize one tangible IP outcome with a cost-effective approach, paving the way for us to file our first trademark next week.»

Soner Haci, CEO of PONS, Winner 2024

WIPO Global Awards ecosystem partners

The WIPO Global Awards Ecosystem brings together trusted organizations from across the innovation landscape. These partnerships help extend the reach of the Awards and enhance the support available to winners.
Collaborations with business hubs, incubators, accelerators, and innovation-focused institutions that promote the WIPO Global Awards (WGA) to their communities. These partners help us reach high-potential applicants and, in many cases, provide follow-up support to WGA winners through mentorship, networking, and access to growth opportunities.
Strategic alliances with investment networks and fund managers who believe in the power of IP-backed entrepreneurship. These partners nominate high-potential startups and SMEs from their portfolios and commit to reviewing WGA winners for possible investment alignment. WIPO acts as a neutral intermediary, facilitating meaningful connections between innovators and capital.
Partners offering tailored services, tools, or visibility opportunities that help WGA winners scale their business. From IP valuation and patent analytics tools to free event access and international trade fair exposure, these organizations contribute tangible value to the innovation journey of each WGA winner.

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The making of the WIPO Global Awards trophy

A Handcrafted Symbol of Excellence
Each winner receives a unique, handcrafted glass trophy made by master artisans on Murano Island, Italy. Formed from vibrant molten glass, the overlapping, translucent ovals symbolize boundary-pushing, creation, and open-mindedness in innovation. This distinctive trophy is a lasting tribute to your industry impact and global influence—a true emblem of excellence.
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IMAGE: WIPO

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