Unlocking IP for deep-tech growth
Unlike traditional startups, deep-tech companies operate in a highly complex landscape characterized by long R&D cycles, high capital requirements, and intricate IP considerations. Their intangible assets form the core of their market potential, often involving multiple inventors and collaborators who contribute different resources. Managing these assets effectively is critical to securing a competitive edge and unlocking commercialization opportunities.
A sound IP commercialization strategy goes beyond simple IP protection. It requires structuring ownership among co-founders, universities, and research labs to ensure clarity and long-term value. It also involves defining clear pathways for monetization, integrating IP into business plans to generate early revenue, and streamlining due diligence processes to attract investors. For deep-tech ventures, mastering these elements is essential to transforming scientific breakthroughs into scalable businesses.
The Scale Up Your IP program is designed to help deep-tech entrepreneurs and spin-outs develop strong IP commercialization strategies, equipping them with the tools to turn intellectual property into market success.
Strengthening R&D-intensive ecosystems
This program brought together four South African universities and twenty of their deep-tech spin-offs to refine their IP commercialization strategies. Organized by WIPO, in collaboration with the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) and with financial support from the Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global, the program took place in Cape Town from March 18 to 20, 2025.
More than just an IP workshop, this initiative provided South Africa’s research-driven ventures with targeted support to navigate IP complexities and accelerate their path to market. The University of Cape Town, University of Stellenbosch, University of the Western Cape, and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology joined forces with their technology transfer teams and spin-off founders to align IP strategies with their commercial goals.
Participants shared experiences and tested practical approaches to integrating IP into their ventures. The program also hosted Technology Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) representatives from the region, enhancing their expertise in IP commercialization while fostering connections within the broader R&D-intensive community.
Building scalable deep-tech ventures
For deep-tech ventures, IP is often their most valuable asset—critical for securing investment, establishing partnerships, and maintaining a competitive edge. To support this, the program delivered actionable insights and strategies on:
- Mapping Unique Selling Points to define competitive advantages
- Leveraging IP databases for competitor analysis and market opportunities
- Developing brand strategies for deep-tech innovations
- Navigating complex IP ownership challenges
- Structuring spin-off companies for maximum commercial potential
- Creating investor-ready data rooms to enhance funding opportunities
Looking ahead: scaling the impact
Innovation thrives on continuous testing and refinement. Like a venture itself, the three initial pilot programs (Türkiye, Sri Lanka, South Africa) served as our prototype phase, validating the program’s impact and refining its approach.
Now, the program is set to scale—empowering universities, incubators, and R&D centers to build stronger innovation ecosystems and successfully commercialize their IP. Our vision is to establish a global framework that helps research-driven ventures protect, commercialize, and scale their groundbreaking technologies.
Ready to scale your innovation?
Contact us to learn more about upcoming programs.