Are you a small business, start-up, or university leveraging intellectual property (IP) for innovation? Do you want to gain global recognition for your IP-driven strategies and their impact on society? Applications for the 5th edition of  WIPO Global Awards are open from 15 January to 31 March 2026. The WIPO invites startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from all around the world and all economic sectors to apply. The Awards reward enterprises that use intellectual property (IP) rights as a strategic asset to scale their business and create real-world impact.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Global Awards recognize entities that effectively use patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other IP rights to create value, drive business success, and contribute to sustainable development. This initiative highlights the transformative power of IP in various industries, including technology, fashion, media, agriculture, and more.

For 2025, WIPO introduces special mentions to honor the best woman entrepreneur and youth entrepreneur, ensuring broader inclusivity. Winners receive tailored mentorship, exclusive WIPO resources, global visibility, and networking opportunities, including an invitation to the awards ceremony in Geneva, Switzerland.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
• Result Announcement Dates:
  • Finalists – Second week of May 2026
  • Winners – Second week of July 2026
• International Jury Deliberation: End of May 2026
• Awards Ceremony: Second week of July 2026
• Funding Type: Recognition and Mentorship
• Organizer: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
• Eligible Countries: 193 WIPO Member States
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Small businesses, start-ups, and university spinouts
• Fields: Intellectual Property (IP), Innovation, Business Growth, SDGs
• Program Languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish
• Host Country: Switzerland (for the Awards Ceremony)

Benefits and Financial Aids

In 2026, 11 enterprises will be recognized:

• 10 Prizes across all sectors of the economy (including health, agrifood, environment, creative industries, and ICT)
• 1 Thematic Prize: SMEs in Sports, aligned with the theme of World IP Day 2026
• 2 Special Mentions: Best Woman Entrepreneur and Best Youth Entrepreneur

Winners of the WIPO Global Awards 2026 in Geneva will receive the following:

• Travel expenses covered for winners attending the Awards Ceremony
• A handcrafted glass trophy symbolizing innovation and excellence
• Tailored mentorship to commercialize innovations and IP-backed creations
• Exclusive access to WIPO resources
• Global recognition and visibility in the intellectual property and business sectors
• Networking opportunities at the WIPO Awards Ceremony in Geneva
• Special mentions for outstanding women and youth entrepreneurs

Eligibility Criteria

Before you apply for the WIPO Global Awards, please review these eligibility criteria:

For SMEs:

SMEs must be in at least one of WIPO’s 193 Member States and meet the following conditions:

• SMEs should be registered business entities with proof of registration
• Up to 300 employees and $15 million total annual sales
• Holder of at least one registered IP right
• Exporting products or services to at least one country

For Startups:

All startups must be in at least one of WIPO’s 193 Member States and meet the following conditions:

• Startups should be registered business entities with no more than three years of legal existence.
• Up to 50 employees
• Innovative product or service associated with IP rights
• Submission of at least one IP right registration application or holder of at least one registered IP right
• Affiliated with a business support organization
• Affirmed engagement with at least one commercial customer, completed a business sale, or secured one investor

Required Materials

Please upload these application documents:

• Proof of registration
• Description of IP rights usage for commercialization
• Details of positive contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for SMEs
• Business pitch details for startups

Evaluation Process

The WIPO Secretariat, led by its internal Awards Program team, will compile a shortlist of up to 25 finalists from all timely submissions. Finalists will receive advance email notification at least one week before the shortlist’s public announcement.

An international jury of up to seven experts with substantial experience in innovation, creativity, and intellectual property, representing diverse aspects such as geography, gender, age, culture, and language, will choose winners from the shortlisted finalists. Winners will receive an email notification at least one week before the Awards Ceremony.

The WIPO Secretariat and the international jury will primarily use written responses from applicants to evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:

• For SMEs: Assessment includes effective use of IP for protection, management, and commercialization of assets, plus contributions to up to three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• For Startups: Evaluation covers business feasibility, scalability, vision for job growth, and potential/current use of IP rights, along with contributions to up to three SDGs.

Notes:

• The jury is emphasizing inclusiveness and diversity.
• All decisions made by the WIPO Secretariat and the international jury are final and not subject to any appeal.

How to Apply?

To apply for the WIPO Global Awards, please follow these steps:

• Participants can only have one entry in either the SMEs or Startups categories.
• Entries must be submitted through the online application form linked below in one of the six UN official languages or Japanese.
• The application requires details on how IP rights are used for commercialization at the regional or international level, along with the economic, social, or cultural impact. Startups must also outline their IP commercialization plans.

Apply Now

Disclaimer: WIPO reserves the right to disregard non-compliant or fraudulent submissions.

Please enter the official WIPO website or review the application page for further details about the WIPO Global Awards.

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