Join WIPO on Friday, July 10 to discover the 11 winning startups and SMEs using intellectual property (IP) to grow their business, across sectors including health, environment, food and agriculture, creative industries, ICT, and, new this year, sports.
This year's edition attracted a record 1,300+ applications from 126 countries, each showcasing how IP can be a strategic tool to scale innovation and deliver business impact. Following a rigorous evaluation process, an international jury selected 11 winners from a shortlist of 33 finalists. The ceremony will also unveil two special mentions: Best Woman Entrepreneur and Best Youth Entrepreneur 2026.
WIPO Director General Daren Tang will open the event. Each winner will then take the stage, revealed live by a jury member who shares what made their story stand out, before receiving their award and sharing a few words on what IP means for their business.
The ceremony takes place alongside the WIPO General Assemblies, which gather delegates from WIPO's 194 member states in Geneva each July to shape the global IP system.
Register to attend in person at WIPO, or watch the webcast live on Friday, July 10 at 11:45 a.m. (CEST).