The 2025 edition of the WIPO Global Awards received over 780 applications from 95 countries, showcasing how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups use intellectual property to drive positive impact across industries.
This year’s 30 finalists represent outstanding companies selected for their innovative solutions, strong IP strategies, and contributions to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The winners will be announced during the WIPO General Assemblies at WIPO headquarters in Geneva on 11 July 2025.
Meet the finalists
The 2025 finalists are grouped into five categories: Health, Environment, ICT, Creative Industries, and Agrifood. They were selected based on four key criteria: their business case and current IP portfolio, future growth and international IP strategy, IP culture within the company, and their impact for a better society.
This year, the Awards introduced a dual-category approach, recognizing both startups and SMEs, to highlight innovation and IP excellence across different stages of business development.
SMEs
Start-ups
Shanghai Bangbang Robotics
Foldable smart wheelchair — China
Shanghai Bangbang Robotics designs and manufactures intelligent, foldable electric wheelchairs under its Robooter series, enhancing mobility for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. These wheelchairs feature ergonomic designs, easy folding mechanisms, and smart controls, facilitating independence and travel. The company's innovations are protected by a robust portfolio of patents covering mechanical design, control systems, and user interface technologies.
OsseoLabs
3D bone implants — Thailand
OsseoLabs develops biocompatible, customizable bone graft substitutes using 3D printing and advanced biomaterials. Their solutions address complex orthopedic and dental reconstructions, offering patient-specific implants that integrate seamlessly into natural bone. Protected through material composition and design patents, OsseoLabs bridges biomedical engineering and personalized medicine to advance skeletal repair.
noul
Portable disease diagnostics — Republic of Korea
Noul combines biomedical engineering with AI to deliver decentralized diagnostic solutions for underserved communities. Its miLab platform enables rapid, on-site blood analysis for malaria, sepsis, and other conditions, eliminating the need for centralized labs. With a strong IP portfolio including microfluidics, machine learning, and device design patents, Noul is redefining access to life-saving diagnostics in low-resource settings.
PepTiDa
Peptide-based drugs — Italy
PepTiDa is developing a new class of peptide-based drugs aimed at treating rare and chronic diseases. Their proprietary molecular design technology enables the creation of stable, highly selective therapeutic peptides with improved efficacy and reduced side effects. Backed by patent-protected compounds and delivery systems, PepTiDa’s platform holds promise for targeted treatments across oncology, endocrinology, and beyond.
Hummingbird Bioscience
Antibody therapeutics — Singapore
Hummingbird Bioscience uses systems biology and proprietary Rational Antibody Discovery (RAD) technology to develop next-generation precision therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. By targeting novel and previously undruggable epitopes, Hummingbird’s pipeline includes highly specific monoclonal antibodies currently in clinical trials. Their innovation is protected by a robust portfolio of platform and composition-of-matter patents, enabling a new era in targeted biologics.
Glovatrix
Sign-to-speech gloves — India
Glovatrix has developed "Fifth Sense," an AI-powered wearable device that translates sign language into speech and vice versa, facilitating real-time communication for the deaf and speech-impaired. The glove captures hand and finger movements, converting them into audible speech, while also transcribing spoken words into text for the user. This innovation is protected by a suite of patents covering sensor technology, machine learning algorithms, and user interface design, aiming to bridge communication gaps and promote inclusivity.
SMEs
Start-ups
Carbfix
CO₂ mineral storage — Iceland
Carbfix transforms CO₂ into stone by accelerating a natural mineralization process underground, offering a permanent and scalable carbon capture solution. The company’s proprietary injection and monitoring technologies have been successfully deployed in Iceland and are being expanded globally. With key patents and trade secrets protecting their processes and monitoring systems, Carbfix leads in climate tech by turning carbon liabilities into solid assets beneath our feet.
Carbon One
Battery material innovation — China
Cone makes advanced materials that improve how batteries perform — helping them charge faster, last longer, and store more energy, which is key for electric vehicles and clean energy use. Their proprietary carbonization and purification processes produce high-performance silicon-carbon and hard carbon anode materials, protected by a growing international IP portfolio.
Vertoro
Bio-fuel from lignin — Netherlands
Vertoro produces sustainable, lignin-based bio-oil from agricultural and forestry waste using its patented Goldilocks® technology. What sets Vertoro apart is that its green oil can be processed in existing oil refineries, making it a drop-in solution for decarbonizing the fuel and chemicals industry. A strong IP strategy, covering process patents and trade secrets, positions Vertoro as a key player in the bioeconomy transition.
Smart Drain - Urban Inventors
Anti-flood drain system — Sri Lanka
Smart Drain is a patented stormwater drainage system designed to prevent urban flooding even when conventional drains are blocked by waste. Its unique structure allows continuous water flow while filtering out debris, making it ideal for densely populated areas. Targeting municipalities and city planners, Smart Drain’s innovation is protected through design and utility patents, offering a practical, scalable solution for climate-resilient infrastructure.
AFNON
Clean cookstove — Zambia
AFNON addresses indoor air pollution and deforestation in under-resourced communities through clean, energy-efficient cookstoves. Their innovative stove designs dramatically reduce CO₂ emissions and harmful smoke from traditional cooking methods. With the largest clean cookstove factory in Africa under construction, AFNON is scaling production and impact, supported by patents, trademarks, and design protections that safeguard their mission-driven technology.
BANIQL
Sustainable nickel extraction — Indonesia
BANIQL pioneers sustainable metal extraction by developing eco-friendly processes to recover nickel and cobalt from laterite ores and waste. Their patented methods minimize chemical use and environmental harm, offering cleaner alternatives for battery production in the electric vehicle supply chain. Combining green chemistry and circular economy principles, BANIQL safeguards its innovations with patents and proprietary formulations to support responsible mining.
SMEs
Start-ups
PhageLab
Antibiotic alternatives — Chile
PhageLab develops precision bacteriophage therapies to replace antibiotics in livestock farming, reducing antimicrobial resistance and improving animal health. Their platform uses AI and big data to create tailor-made phage solutions that target specific bacterial strains in poultry and swine. With a robust patent portfolio and proprietary phage engineering techniques, PhageLab protects its technological edge while advancing sustainable and responsible farming globally.
Ecoxtract
Plant-based solvent extraction — France
EcoXtract has developed a plant-based alternative to petrochemical solvents traditionally used in oil and protein extraction from crops. Based on patented natural extraction technology, their innovation replaces hexane with a biodegradable and food-safe solvent, boosting safety and sustainability across agrifood and cosmetics sectors. Their green chemistry approach is supported by a strategic IP framework including patents and trademarks, ensuring market differentiation and regulatory confidence.
MoonBiotech
Microbial biofertilizers — China
MoonBiotech leverages synthetic biology and microbial biodiversity to promote healthier, more sustainable agriculture. With one of the largest microbial strain libraries in Asia, the company harnesses nature’s diversity to engineer biofertilizers that boost plant growth, improve soil health, and reduce chemical inputs. Their innovations are protected through patents and proprietary fermentation techniques, ensuring both environmental impact and long-term market leadership.
UNIBAIO
Biodegradable crop protection — Argentina
UNIBAIO is transforming crop protection with biodegradable nano-capsules that optimize pesticide delivery and reduce environmental harm. By mimicking natural biological carriers, their patented biomimetic system enables precision agriculture with lower chemical usage and higher effectiveness. UNIBAIO’s innovation is safeguarded through a growing international patent family, reinforcing its competitive position in sustainable agrochemical technologies.
Toopi Organics
Urine-based fertilizers — France
Toopi Organics transforms human urine into biofertilizers using a patented microbiological treatment process, creating a circular and low-emission nutrient solution for agriculture. Their innovation dramatically reduces water pollution and dependency on synthetic fertilizers, while upcycling an abundant but underused resource. Their strong IP portfolio, encompassing patents and trademarks, underpins their unique value proposition and growing European footprint.
Planetary
Mycoprotein fermentation tech — Switzerland
Planetary develops precision fermentation facilities to produce sustainable food ingredients — notably mycoprotein derived from sugar — offering a nutritious, animal-free protein alternative. Their biomanufacturing platform enables scalable, modular production of high-quality proteins, lipids, and enzymes for the food industry. Planetary protects its innovations through proprietary bioprocessing know-how and IP, supporting a circular food economy and driving the shift toward climate-resilient nutrition.
SMEs
Start-ups
Chengdu Chenghua Butterflies Huatian Cultural and Tourism Development
Heritage performance arts — China
Chengdu Chenghua Butterflies Huatian revitalizes traditional Chinese arts through immersive performances, exhibitions, and cultural experiences, including the acclaimed "Butterfly Lovers" theatrical series. With deep roots in intangible cultural heritage, the company combines creative storytelling with digital innovation to promote Chinese aesthetics worldwide. Their IP portfolio spans copyrights, trademarks, and performance rights, ensuring protection of cultural content and artistic interpretation.
Kavčič Furniture
Modular designer shelving — Slovenia
Kavčič Furniture blends digital craftsmanship with Slovenian woodworking traditions to create high-quality, customizable furniture for modern living. Their HANGY™ collection features minimalist, modular wooden wall units with smart, space-saving design. By using 3D configuration tools and on-demand production, the brand minimizes waste while protecting its unique design language through design rights, trademarks, and copyrights.
ClicknClear
Music rights licensing — United Kingdom
ClicknClear is a music rights tech company revolutionizing the licensing process for performance sports and fitness industries. Its platform enables fast, legal access to music from major and independent labels, solving long-standing copyright challenges in cheerleading, gymnastics, and dance. With a strong IP backbone and licensing agreements, ClicknClear unlocks new revenue streams for artists and ensures compliance across global sports federations.
GAM3S.GG
Web3 gaming platform — United Arab Emirates
GAM3S.GG is the go-to Web3 gaming superapp, curating and reviewing blockchain games while offering community tools and competitive features for gamers worldwide. Their platform connects players with game developers, enabling discovery, tournaments, and gameplay rewards in a trusted ecosystem. GAM3S.GG strategically protects its brand, software, and content through a mix of trademarks and digital rights, establishing its position in the rapidly growing world of decentralized gaming.
Sonarworks
Personalized audio calibration — Latvia
Sonarworks empowers music creators with precision sound calibration tools used in studios and headphones worldwide. Their SoundID technology delivers personalized, reference-grade audio across devices, ensuring what’s heard is what was intended. Backed by multiple patents and proprietary audio profiling algorithms, Sonarworks leads in audio innovation and bridges the gap between studio-quality sound and consumer listening experiences.
CodeGream
3D product showcase — Republic of Korea
CodeGream brings creative content to life through immersive 3D web experiences, transforming how products like furniture, sculptures, and artworks are showcased online. Their proprietary technology enables seamless integration of interactive, photorealistic 3D models into websites, enhancing digital storytelling and user engagement. Protected by software copyrights and design registrations, CodeGream’s innovations help brands and artists present their creations in dynamic, cutting-edge formats.
SMEs
Start-ups
Shaanxi ORCA Electronic Technology
Autonomous water-cleaning vessels — China
ORCA specializes in autonomous surface vessels designed for environmental applications, such as water surface cleaning and monitoring. Their unmanned boats are equipped with advanced navigation systems and AI capabilities, enabling efficient and effective maintenance of water bodies. ORCA's innovations are protected by a robust portfolio of patents covering mechanical design, control algorithms, and embedded software, positioning them as a leader in smart marine robotics.
FestivalOn
Privacy-first sensing tech — Republic of Korea
FestivalOn offers a privacy-friendly alternative to CCTV, using AI and Wi-Fi signal sensing to detect anomalies and intrusions without collecting personal data. Ideal for sensitive spaces like restrooms, nursing homes, and single-person households, the system ensures safety while protecting privacy. Backed by patents and software rights, FestivalOn bridges security and digital twin technologies with privacy at its core.
Unitree Robotics
Quadruped robotics — China
Unitree Robotics is a global pioneer in quadruped robot development, designing agile, affordable robots for education, research, logistics, and security. Their high-performance robots integrate proprietary hardware, AI-based motion control, and real-time navigation systems. With a robust IP portfolio covering mechanical design, control algorithms, and embedded software, Unitree is bringing intelligent robotics into everyday life and industry.
Quinas Technology
Next-gen memory chips — United Kingdom
Quinas Technology is reshaping the future of memory with its patented UltraRAM™ technology, which combines the speed of DRAM and the non-volatility of flash in a single device. This breakthrough enables faster, more energy-efficient computing with vast applications across data centers, mobile devices, and AI hardware. Quinas’s core innovations are protected by a strong portfolio of patents covering materials science, device structure, and semiconductor integration.
ICTK
Hardware cybersecurity — Republic of Korea
ICTK specializes in hardware-based security solutions, including Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) technology that creates unique, tamper-resistant digital identities for connected devices. These solutions underpin secure authentication and data integrity in IoT, automotive, and mobile applications. ICTK's innovations are protected by patents in semiconductor security and cryptography, making them a trusted partner in the cybersecurity ecosystem.
Teramime
AI facial authentication — Republic of Korea
Teramime has developed LESA-Pass, an AI-based cybersecurity solution that combines lip-sync secret words and facial recognition for synchronized two-factor authentication. This innovative approach enhances security by preventing deepfake attacks and ensuring user identity verification. Teramime's technology is protected through patents covering biometric authentication methods and AI algorithms, contributing to advancements in secure access control systems.