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WIPO Global Awards cover picture

Winners of the 2023 WIPO Global Awards

A diverse panel of six judges, experts in IP, innovation and business from a variety of backgrounds, carefully selected the seven winners out of the 25 finalists. The jurors assessed various criteria, including the successful commercialization of IP and its positive impact on economy, society or culture. They also took into account the diversity of contenders and their locations.

Winners are rewarded with a tailored mentoring program in crucial areas such as accessing financial resources, forging business alliances, and fortifying their intellectual property strategies.

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2023 Global Awards Winners

This year, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from China, France, Kenya, Mexico, Singapore, and Slovenia are the winners of the second edition of the annual competition.

The winners of the WIPO Global Awards are at the forefront of innovation and creativity. Their contributions in diverse fields, driven by creative and forward-thinking approaches, highlight the transformative potential of IP in shaping a brighter future.

Relive the WIPO Global Awards Ceremony

The event took place on July 11 in Geneva, including a roundtable discussion on the challenges faced by SMEs in using the IP system, chaired by the WIPO Director General Mr. Daren Tang and members of the international jury that selected this year’s winners.

Meet the 2023 finalists | Press release | Winners | Photos on Flickr | Watch the ceremony

Aerosol Magee Scientific - Slovenia

Aerosol Magee Scientific develops and manufactures air quality measurement instruments. They safeguards their innovations and branding through patents and trademarks. Their products address global air quality, climate change, and health issues on a global scale. Despite competitors' attempts to imitate or bypass their technologies, they maintain an exclusive position using strategic patents, conducting IP audits, monitoring the marketplace, and taking legal action when necessary.

[This award] is a testament and a recognition to all the Aerosol Scientific team, for all our work in the past years in the domain of commercializing intellectual property… to help us become the global niche leader in the area of measuring black carbon and carbonaceous aerosols. To my team, this is for you.

Ms. Mateja Forštnarič, CEO of Aerosol from Slovenia

Centro de Retina Medica y Quirúrgica (CRQM) - Mexico

CRMQ's nanotechnology platform for retinal drug delivery revolutionizes blindness treatment. Patents safeguard their exclusivity and commercial advantage, while trademarks strengthen their market position. Collaborations drive global impact and innovative pharmacological products.

This distinction not only validates the hard work we have done, but also motivates us to continue our mission to foster innovation in our journey to achieve our main goal: fighting blindness.

Mr. Arturo Santos Garcia, CEO of Centro de Retina Medica y Quirúrgica (CRMQ) from Mexico

Flexxon - Singapore

Flexxon's AI-based cybersecurity solution defends against real-time ransomware attacks using its extensive IP portfolio, including patents and trademarks. They forge partnerships with major PC manufacturers, attracting investors and revolutionizing the cybersecurity landscape with their groundbreaking X-PHY Al Cybersecure SSD.

I always find it daunting to stand in front of a crowd and tell them humans are the problem. Cyberattacks are a global crisis, minimizing the human error will not solve it. We have engineered an environment where humans are back in charge. Building our IP allowed us to level out the plain field to compete and collaborate with large companies. We hope to inspire other tech-startups and SMEs to leverage on deep tech IP.

Ms. Chan Camellia, CEO & Ms. May Chng, COO & Co-Founder of Flexxon from Singapore

Lactips - France

Lactips leverages its IP portfolio, including global patents, to market innovative, eco-friendly protein-based polymers. Their plastic-free technology is fully biodegradable, water-soluble, and protected by strategic patents and trademarks.

Lactips is very proud to provide proven solutions to eliminate plastic waste and pollution, by providing plastic-free plastic material that is a 100% natural, with the same benefits as traditional plastic. [This award] is a real honor and a great recognition of our passion and engagement to deliver plastic-free plastic to preserve nature.

Mr. Alexis Von Tschammer, CEO from Lactips

Shanghai Westwell Technology Co. Ltd. - China

Westwell pioneers intelligent and eco-friendly solutions for bulk logistics. With a strong IP defense network comprising patents, industrial designs, and trademarks, they develop cutting-edge offerings like WellOcean® for seaports and Qomolo® for autonomous new energy commercial vehicles. Serving 160+ customers in 18 countries and regions.

[At Westwell], we will continue to devote ourselves to innovation and IP protection related work, and will keep focusing on the smart and green technology development and implementation across the world”. [This award] is a recognition for years of efforts and achievements of the team in terms of IP, innovation and protection.

Mr. Rong Zhang, President of Shanghai Westwell Technology Co. Ltd.

Xi 'an KissFuture Network Technology Co., LTD - China

Xi'an KissFuture Network Technology Co., LTD. is a leading AR/VR technology company with patented motion platforms and hardware optimization. They provide immersive solutions for VR cinemas and cultural institutions, elevating digital experiences. Holding patents in the U.S. and Japan, with applications filed in Europe and the Republic of Korea, they strategically leverage IP systems to enhance their competitive advantage.

At Xi’an KissFuture, we are convinced that science and technology can empower culture and make it more interesting, and have been focused on this mission for 21 years.

Mr. Chengyu Ning, Founder and CEO of Xi 'an KissFuture Network Technology Co., LTD from China

YAKWETU™ Online Limited - Kenya

YAKWETU™ revolutionizes digital content distribution in Kenya and beyond, combatting piracy with its innovative entertainment technology. Their online home entertainment and edutainment system safeguards and monetizes the intellectual property (IP) of content partners. MyMovies.Africa™, a mobile-first digital cinema extension, protects and commercializes IP rights in African video content worldwide since September 2019.

Yakwetu in Kiswahili has two meanings: it means both of us and for us. We chose this name because it articulates our purpose of making available digital content from Africans for Africans, while protecting it from the greatest threat: piracy.

Mr. Mike Strano, CEO & Co-Founder from Yakwetu from Kenya

About the WIPO Global Awards

The Global Awards program launched in 2022 is rooted in WIPO’s mission to ensure a world where innovation and creativity from anywhere is supported by intellectual property for the good of everyone.

The Global Awards competition aims to encourage the commercialization of IP assets by rewarding enterprises that make a smart use of intellectual property and to address the need to build a more inclusive global innovation ecosystem, which better harnesses the huge innovative and creative energies of entrepreneurs, youth and women.

The awards recognize and support inventors, creators and entrepreneurs using intellectual property (IP) rights to achieve their goals, generate income, create jobs, tackle local and global challenges, and support community and national development.

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