The Inventor Assistance Program (IAP) community in Chile came together on November 4, 2026, for an online outreach event organized by the National Institute of Industrial Property of Chile (INAPI), with the support of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The event brought together inventors, patent professionals and representatives of the innovation ecosystem to review the Program’s achievements and recent developments, and to explore ways of further strengthening support for Chilean innovators.
Opening the event, Esteban Figueroa Nagel, National Director of INAPI, underscored the importance of the IAP for Chilean innovators and the country’s efforts to expand the reach and impact of the Program.
The Inventor Assistance Program helps reduce barriers to accessing the IP system by connecting inventors who lack sufficient resources with specialized professionals who support them through the process of protecting their inventions. This initiative not only facilitates access to patents, but also strengthens the innovation ecosystem, by creating better conditions for ideas with potential to be transformed into solutions that contribute to the country’s economic and social development. For INAPI, the IAP is a concrete expression of the commitment to a more inclusive and accessible IP system.
– Esteban Figueroa Nagel
Since joining the IAP in 2022, Chile has built a strong foundation for the Program. More than 20 Chilean inventors have received support, and three have been granted patents. Among them is Carolina Rosas, who developed eco-friendly plant nucleic acid formulations as an alternative to potentially toxic chemical methods for controlling flowering, with potential benefits for farmers adapting to climate change and seeking better market opportunities.
In his welcome remarks, Marco M. Alemán, WIPO’s Assistant Director General for the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector, recognized the progress achieved by the IAP in Chile under INAPI’s leadership and emphasized the need for stronger collaboration across the innovation ecosystem to expand and enhance the support available to Chilean innovators.
Collaboration multiplies what we can achieve alone. Innovation agencies, incubators, business-support institutions and other organizations working directly with innovators can help identify promising candidates, build awareness of the Program and connect inventors with support available. It’s part of the supportive innovation ecosystem we’re building together.”
– Marco M. Alemán
The event showcased new outreach tools and communication strategies developed by INAPI to raise awareness of the IAP and reach innovators across regions and sectors. It also presented key developments in the Program’s national implementation, including updated regulations and a renewed National Selection Board that brings together representatives of INAPI, Chile’s National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) and national law firms.
Looking ahead, the IAP continues to evolve. While patent protection remains at the core of the Program, the IAP is expanding its focus to help beneficiaries use and commercialize the assets they create. This broader support can help innovators explore pathways to market, establish partnerships, attract investment, license technologies and build sustainable enterprises.
Volunteer patent professionals are central to these efforts. Chile has mobilized 26 volunteer patent specialists, drawn from leading national law firms and independent practice, who share their expertise with IAP beneficiaries. Their support helps inventors navigate the patent system and take an important step toward creating commercial opportunities.
Building on the progress achieved, INAPI and WIPO reaffirmed their commitment to broadening the Program’s reach and strengthening the support available to beneficiaries, so that more Chilean innovators can turn promising ideas into protected IP assets with market potential. As the IAP enters its next phase in Chile, the priorities are reaching more inventors, providing high-quality support throughout their innovation journey, growing the volunteer network and helping protected inventions realize their full potential.