Scale Up Your IP Program

What is Scale Up Your IP?

Scale Up Your IP is a flagship capacity-building initiative developed by WIPO's IP Commercialization Section (IPID), with financial support from the Japan Patent Office (JPO).  The program is designed specifically for university spin-offs, research-driven ventures, and inventors with prototypes at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4–8 who are looking to take their technologies from the lab to the market.

Unlike traditional business acceleration programs, Scale Up Your IP focuses squarely on integrating IP strategy into commercial decision-making. Participants work through practical modules on validating their Unique Selling Proposition (USP), developing brand strategies, structuring IP-aware ventures, licensing software and AI technologies, and building a customized IP Commercialization Action Plan.

The program will be delivered by Ms. Allison Mages, Head of IP Commercialization, and Ms. Margherita Marini, IP Commercialization Specialist, both from WIPO Geneva, with the WIPO Nigeria Office serving as the local partner coordinating logistics and participant engagement.

The program will be implemented over two intensive days:

• Day 1 (March 24, 2026): Topics include Introduction to IP, USP Validation, Brand Strategy, and Building Your Data Room – IP Commercialization Action Plan.
• Day 2 (March 25, 2026): Topics include IP Aware Venture, Software & AI, Maximize Value, and IP Commercialization Action Plan Consultations.
• A National Workshop on the Commercialization of Research Results in Nigerian Universities will be held on Day 3 (March 26, 2026) for Scale Up participants and additional university researchers, TTO staff, and academics interested in research commercialization.

Who can apply?

The Scale Up Your IP Program invites university spin-offs, research-driven ventures, and inventors from Nigerian universities with prototypes at TRL 4–8 who are seeking to validate, protect, and commercialize their innovations.

The main selection criteria include:

1. Must be a university spin-off, venture, or inventor formed from university-based research
2. Innovation must be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4–8
3. Actively seeking to validate a prototype, bring technology to market, and leverage IP as part of business strategy
4. Either an established university spin-off or in the process of spinning off from the university
5. Must be an early-stage venture seeking to integrate IP into commercialization strategy
6. Must be available to attend the full 3-day program (March 24–26, 2026)
7. Open to ventures from any technological field (biotech, engineering, software, agritech, cleantech, healthcare, etc.)
8. Women-led ventures and innovators from underrepresented institutions are strongly encouraged to apply

Target Location

The program will be held in-person at the United Nations House, Abuja. Travel support is available for selected participants from remote regions.

What to Expect

The overall objective of the Scale Up Your IP Program is to equip university spin-offs and research-driven ventures with practical tools to integrate intellectual property into their commercialization strategies. Specific objectives include:

1. Train innovators and entrepreneurs on the importance of intellectual property in protecting their ideas and building successful ventures
2. Provide hands-on mentorship through expert-led sessions and interactive workshops
3. Support participants in developing a customized IP Commercialization Action Plan
4. Facilitate engagement with Nigeria's IP offices (Copyright Commission, Trademarks Registry, Patents & Designs Registry, NOTAP) through the Day 3 National Workshop
5. Create success stories of Nigerian university innovations leveraging IP for commercial success
6. Encourage IP registrations in Nigeria by providing practical guidance on the IP filing process

How can Scale Up Your IP benefit your venture?

Every innovative venture has unique business challenges that require a tailored IP strategy - an action plan to identify, develop, protect, and leverage a company's portfolio of IP assets. Successfully implemented, an IP strategy allows businesses to gain competitive advantage and drives profitability.

Participants will benefit from:

• One-on-one mentorship with renowned WIPO IP commercialization experts
• Practical exercises and tools including templates, checklists, and summaries
• Networking opportunities with peers, IP offices, and ecosystem players
• Customized IP Commercialization Action Plan developed during the program
• Access to the best global practices in IP commercialization