The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and Vest Capital convened the Roundtable for ASEAN Investors on the Use of IP in Investment Context in Singapore on August 28, 2026. The roundtable brought together investors, family offices, financial and valuation professionals, and businesses from the creative and entertainment sectors to explore what is needed to make intellectual property (IP) and intangible assets (IA) more investible in ASEAN.
Participants, speakers and organizers of the Roundtable for ASEAN Investors on the Use of IP in Investment Context.
From IP Value to Investible Assets
Ms. Allison Mages, Director of WIPO’s IP Commercialization Section, and Mr. Michael Kos, IP Finance and Valuation Specialist at WIPO, opened the substantive discussion with a global perspective on the growing economic importance of intangible assets and the development of IP financing models across different markets.
They highlighted approaches ranging from the use of IP as collateral to securitization and other financing structures, as well as WIPO’s work with governments, financial institutions and valuation professionals to strengthen the conditions needed for IP-backed finance.
Ms. Allison Mages and Mr. Michael Kos introduce WIPO’s work on IP finance and valuation.
The discussion quickly turned to a central question for investors: what makes IP valuable and what makes it investible?
Participants emphasized that valuation alone does not create investor confidence. Familiarity with the relevant industry, credible cash flows, market demand, clear ownership, enforceability, appropriate risk allocation and viable exit pathways all shape investment decisions. They also stressed that different types of IP-intensive businesses require different approaches, rather than a single model for IP investment.
James Zou, Managing Director of Rao Family Office, Singapore, shares his perspective during the roundtable discussion on IP and intangible asset investment in ASEAN.
Understanding Risk, Rights and Returns
The roundtable then explored the ownership, protection and commercialization of IP throughout its lifecycle. Participants discussed the particular complexity of creative-sector assets, where multiple rights holders, territorial rights, licensing arrangements and different forms of exploitation may form part of a single project.
Representatives from the entertainment and creator economy shared practical experiences showing that creative IP presents a different investment profile from more conventional technology assets. Returns may depend not only on the initial product or production, but also on the ability to generate value through licensing, distribution, royalties, merchandising, regional exploitation and other derivative revenue streams.
Mr. Jonathan Ang, Director of SM Universe (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., shares his perspective during the discussion on the commercial value, ownership and protection of IP in the creative economy.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of legal certainty and enforceability. Participants noted that the value of an IP right to an investor ultimately depends in part on whether ownership can be verified and the right can be effectively enforced, particularly in cross-border transactions.
Closing the Investor Confidence Gap
Drawing on findings from a survey conducted ahead of the roundtable, participants examined why confidence in investing in IP- and IA-intensive businesses continues to lag behind recognition of their economic importance.
The discussions pointed to several factors that could strengthen investor confidence, including more sector-specific valuation expertise, stronger disclosure of how IP contributes to cash flow and business strategy, greater availability of transaction data and comparable cases, and clearer pathways for investors to realize value from their investments.
Several participants also highlighted the importance of secondary markets and exit options. Examples from music catalogs, film distribution and royalty-based investment illustrated how diversified portfolios and established revenue streams can present different risk-return profiles from investments in individual early-stage creative projects.
Mr. Winston Chan facilitates a discussion with investors and industry representatives on barriers to IP and IA investment.
The discussion also underscored the diversity of potential investors. Family offices, strategic investors, specialist funds and other capital providers may have very different investment mandates, time horizons and motivations. Participants therefore emphasized the importance of matching IP-intensive opportunities with the right type of capital rather than treating investors as a single group.
Towards Investible Models for ASEAN
The final session brought the day’s discussions together around the question of what an investible model for IP and intangible assets in ASEAN would require.
Participants considered the investment lifecycle from origination and underwriting to structuring, capital raising, monitoring and eventual exit. They also discussed how different financing structures may be appropriate depending on the maturity and characteristics of the underlying IP, including direct investment, special purpose vehicles, pooled funds, securitization and other models.
Rather than seeking to establish a single model, the roundtable identified a number of areas for further exploration, including sector-specific approaches to valuation and financing, stronger investor and financial-sector expertise, practical case studies and benchmarks, clearer investment and contractual structures, mechanisms for risk sharing, and improved opportunities for secondary transactions and exits.
The roundtable marked the beginning of a broader conversation on how IP and intangible assets can be translated into investible opportunities in ASEAN. The insights gathered will help inform further engagement between WIPO, IPOS, investors, businesses and other stakeholders on practical approaches to strengthening the region’s IP financing ecosystem.