WIPO Launches Scaled-Up IP Management Clinic Program for SMEs and Startups in Malaysia

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in collaboration with Malaysia's Intellectual Property Corporation (MyIPO), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), and the ASEAN Secretariat, has officially launched a scaled-up Intellectual Property Management Clinic (IPMC) program for SMEs and startups in Malaysia. Financial support was generously provided by the Fund-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global (FIT-Japan), managed by the Japan Patent Office (JPO).

Following its inaugural session in Kota Kinabalu (October 21–25), the expanded program held its second session in Kuala Lumpur from December 2–6, 2025. The IPMC program has drawn businesses from diverse and high-impact sectors such as aerospace, agriculture, green technologies, fashion, F&B, pharmaceuticals, and creative industries. These sectors exemplify Malaysia's growing intangible economy, where success increasingly depends on recognizing, protecting, and leveraging intellectual property (IP) assets.

The clinic’s structured approach began with intensive training workshops led by IP and business experts, including Mr. Paul Davies (Intrinsika), Ms. Geetha Kandiah (KASS International), Ms. Wong Jin Nee (Wong Jin Nee & Teo), Ms. Karen Abraham (Shearn Delamore & Co) and Mr.

Mohammed Ikhwan (Invenxer Sdn. Bhd.). Day one of the program attracted more than 80  participants, reflecting strong interest from SMEs across Malaysia.

wipo-launches-ip-management-clinic-program-for-smes-malaysia
(Image: Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia)

Sessions covered:

  • IP as a Strategic Business Asset: Highlighting IP's role as a growth and competitive advantage driver.
  • Strategic IP Integration: Offering tools to align IP with business goals, leverage IP for growth while mitigating risks.
  • IP and Investment: Exploring IP's critical role in funding decisions and investor expectations.

During the rest of the week, 30 selected SMEs also benefited from tailored deep-dive diagnostic sessions to align their IP strategies with their unique business objectives. These individualized consultations focused on creating robust IP portfolios, mitigating risks, and unlocking opportunities for growth and globalization.

The program’s impact will extend into 2025 through online mentoring sessions, enabling participating SMEs to refine their IP strategies and implement actionable recommendations.

All of this is made possible through strong partnerships. Collaborating with key stakeholders such as the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO), the ASEAN-Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), the ASEAN Secretariat, and our dedicated external mentors, we share a common goal: to empower more SMEs at the grassroots level to turn innovative ideas into market-ready products, foster robust industry-wide networks, and drive the adoption of proactive IP management practices across diverse sectors.


Tags:
FIT Japan IP Global, Malaysia, SME

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