Geneva, Switzerland, February 2025 – The WIPO iLens Innovation Data Lab held its second workshop on innovation measurement, focusing on the role of startups and high-growth firms in the global economy. Titled Metrics on Innovative Start-ups and High-Growth Firms, the event brought together leading data experts and academics to explore methodologies for capturing the impact of these critical players in the innovation landscape.
Startups and high-growth firms drive economic transformation through risk-taking, disruptive ideas, and their ability to attract top talent and investment. However, accurately measuring their contributions remains a challenge. The workshop aimed to bridge existing gaps by developing universally applicable methods for assessing the influence of these companies on innovation ecosystems.
The event – opened by WIPO’s Assistant Director General Marco Aleman - featured expert discussions led by representatives from Orbis, StartupBlink, and DealRoom, who provided insights into data methodologies, key metrics, and challenges in tracking the development and success of startups and high-growth firms. Invaluable contributions also came from data providers including DealRoom, Moody’s Analytics, PitchBook, StartupBlink, and Africa: The Big Deal.
Academic perspectives were shared by leading scholars in the field, including Bruno Fischer (University of Campinas, Brazil - School of Applied Sciences), Jonathan Levie (University of Galway, J.E. School of Business and Economics), and Erik Stam (Utrecht University School of Economics), further enriching the discussions with research-based approaches to innovation measurement.
Building on insights from the workshop, WIPO iLens is currently testing potential indicators to enhance the accuracy and applicability of startup and high-growth firm metrics.
The first WIPO-GII iLens Innovation Data Lab dealt with better metrics on risk and innovation finance, i.e. various venture capital data sources and related opportunities and challenges.
The lab’s ongoing work is part of the broader Global Innovation Index initiative, reinforcing WIPO’s commitment to advancing reliable and inclusive innovation measurement frameworks.