How to Apply: WIPO Global Awards 2025
If you're a small business, a start-up, including a university spinout — from tech to fashion, media, music, design, agriculture, or any other industry—and you use Intellectual Property (IP) to create value, the WIPO Global Awards are for you, because they are the UN Award for inventors and creators.
Whether you protect your brand with trademarks, copyright, your creative works, or hold patents on inventions, this is your chance to be recognized on a global stage.
Who can apply?
- The contest is open to small businesses, start-ups including university spin-outs located in one of WIPO's 193 Member States.
- Read the Rules of the Competition for full details
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What do you get?
- Tailored mentorship for commercialization of innovations and creations
- Exclusive access to WIPO resources
- Global visibility and recognition
- Access to the awards ceremony and other networking events in Geneva, Switzerland. Travel expenses covered
Application Period: January 15 - March 31.
Evaluation criteria
Strategy and IP Portfolio
Show us how your innovation/creation and strategy work together. What makes your product or service truly innovative? Who are your target customers, and how do your IP rights (patents, trademarks, etc.) support your business goals and future growth?
IP Culture
Show us how IP is embedded in your company's DNA. Do you have formal IP policies? Are employees trained on IP? How do you identify and protect new inventions or creations?
International IP Strategy
How will your IP strategy help you expand globally? Have you considered the different IP laws in your target markets? What are your plans for registering, enforcing, and licensing your IP rights internationally?
Impact for a Better Society
How are you making the world a better place? Does your innovation/creation contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals? How does it create positive social impact?
Roadmap to the Award
The process includes four different stages:
1. Application period
(15 January to 31 March 2025)
Interested companies can apply through the online application available in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
2. Public announcement of finalists
(Second week of May 2025)
The WIPO Secretariat will shortlist finalists from the timely received applications.
3. International jury deliberations
(End of May 2025)
Winners are selected among the finalists after evaluation by a diverse, independent international jury with specialized expertise in commercialization of IP assets, innovation, creative industries, venture capital, and business development across different industries. Direct private notifications will be sent to the winners for further arrangements.
4. Public announcement of winners at the Awards Ceremony in Geneva
(Second week of July 2025)
Winners, members of the jury, sponsors, mentors and other high level participants will be invited to join the Awards Ceremony in Geneva, to be held as a special event of the WIPO General Assembly. Other exclusive networking events are included.
Applications will open right here on this page from January 15 to March 31. Be sure to check back and submit your application during this period. Register you interest.
WIPO reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disregard any submission that does not comply with the present Rules
or, in the opinion of the WIPO, has been entered fraudulently, abusively or that may be contrary to the good name or reputation of the WIPO.
2025 Jury Panel
About the WIPO Global Awards
The WIPO Global Awards, the UN Award for inventors and creators, were launched in 2022 and are rooted in WIPO’s mission.
The Awards aim to encourage the commercialization of IP assets by rewarding inventors, creators and entrepreneurs using IP rights to achieve their business goals, generate income, create jobs, tackle local and global challenges, and support community and national development.
The annual Awards contest is organized for applicants originating from WIPO's 193 Member States and diverse economic sectors.
First time learning about our Awards? Join our mailing list for updates!How to Apply: WIPO Global Awards 2024
Who can apply?
- The contest is open to SMEs and startups located in one of WIPO's 193 Member States.
- Read the Rules of the Competition for full details .
Prizes
- Finalists and winners receive international promotion, recognition, and visibility through various platforms.
- Winners are invited to attend the awards ceremony and other networking events in Geneva, Switzerland. Travel expenses covered.
- Winners are provided a personalized mentorship program.
Application Period: January 15 - March 31. The 2024 contest is now closed. Stay tuned for finalist and winner information.
Evaluation criteria
IP Commercialization & Business Pitch of Startups
Applicable to SMEs:
Understanding and ability to use IP rights (or a combination of such rights) to protect, manage, and commercialize IP assets, as well as other intangible assets such as data, to achieve business and/or corporate objectives.
Applicable to startups:
Demonstrate the potential to use IP rights and/or existing use of IP rights (or a combination of such rights) to protect, manage, and commercialize IP assets, as well as other intangible assets such as data, to achieve business and/or corporate objectives.
- Business pitch, on areas such as business feasibility, unique value proposition, and scalability and vision for job growth.
Contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SME's existing positive contribution to up to three SDGs.
Startup’s existing and/or potential positive contribution to up to three SDGs.
Diversity and inclusiveness
In the selection process, the jury will follow an approach that upholds values of inclusiveness, diversity related to geographical representation, and level of development of country of origin of the contenders.
Roadmap to the Award
The process includes four different stages:
1. Application period and outreach campaigns
(15 January to 31 March 2024)
WIPO runs worldwide media campaigns targeting SMEs and startups, inviting them to enter the contest through an online application available in seven languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.
2. Public announcement of finalists in the running to become winners
(Second week of May 2024)
The WIPO Secretariat will shortlist up to 25 finalists from the timely received applications.
3. International jury deliberations
(End of May 2024)
Seven winners are selected among the 25 finalists after evaluation by a diverse, independent international jury with specialized expertise in various industries, IP, innovation, investment, and business development. Direct private notifications will be sent to the winners for further arrangements.
4. Public announcement of winners at the Awards Ceremony in Geneva
(Second week of July)
Winners, members of the jury, sponsors, mentors and other high level participants will be invited to join the Awards Ceremony in Geneva, to be held as a special event of the WIPO General Assembly.
WIPO reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disregard any submission that does not comply with the present Rules
or, in the opinion of the WIPO, has been entered fraudulently, abusively or that may be contrary to the good name or reputation of the WIPO.
2024 Jury Panel
Travel expenses
Flight and a daily allowance will be provided for winners to attend the awards ceremony.
Contact us if you have other questions.