Empowering Ecuador’s Innovators
March 14, 2024
Under the theme “Protect Your Invention with the Inventor Assistance Program in Ecuador,” WIPO hosted a webinar in partnership with the National Service of Intellectual Property (SENADI) on June 4, 2025, for innovators taking their first steps in the world of patents. Over 60 participants gained valuable insights into patent application requirements and learned more about opportunities offered by the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP).
In her opening remarks, Ms. Andrea Bettina Mena, Director General of SENADI, thanked the Program’s partners and volunteers for their continued support in implementing the IAP in Ecuador. She emphasized SENADI’s commitment to promoting equal access to innovation and fostering a culture of IP rights in all sectors.
We are convinced that IP is a key tool for transforming ideas into reality. That’s why we consider the IAP important to create an environment that promotes equitable access to the protection of innovation, especially for those who are taking their first steps in the world of patents, technology and entrepreneurship. Thanks to the IAP, people with innovative ideas can receive specialized assistance to protect their inventions.
Director General Bettina Mena also expressed her gratitude to the Ecuadorian IAP volunteers for their commitment, stressing that they are “allies who make it possible to achieve the Program’s goals we have set”, and whose “solidarity reflects the best spirit of collaboration and service to the community.”
On behalf of WIPO, Ms. Allison Mages, Head, IP Commercialization Section, IP for Innovators Department, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector, highlighted the potential of local innovators and how the IAP can support them in transforming their ideas into commercial assets.
By working together with the SENADI, local innovation support agencies and volunteers, we aim to enhance the country’s potential to harness the power of intellectual property, in particular patents, for development and prosperity
The main speakers – Fabián Darquea, Director of Technical Direction of Patents at SENADI, and Santiago Mosquera, Partner at Falconi Puig Abogados – provided valuable practical tips to consider before drafting and submitting a patent application. Their guidance aimed to help innovators assess their ideas more effectively and improve the quality of their applications.
Together with SENADI, WIPO launched the Inventor Assistance Program in Ecuador in 2017. Since then, 14 inventors have benefited from the program, including Francisco Revelo, who shared his experience as an IAP beneficiary in securing a patent for his invention – a tire valve opener.
Ms. Erika Castillo, Patent Analyst, Technical Direction of Patents, SENADI, presented an overview of the local eligibility criteria for becoming an IAP beneficiary.
The webinar included a Q&A session for participants to follow up on the content of the presentations. To close the event, a quiz show was held for participants to test their patent-related knowledge and win a prize – a free consultation with a patent attorney.
As the IAP is expanding its services to help beneficiaries move their ideas to market by offering guidance on commercializing patents, Ecuadorian innovators taking their first steps in entrepreneurship now have at their disposal a support platform to navigate intellectual property, regardless of their financial means.