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.

Visit the application page

Social Media Kit: Spread the News!

Download the Open-Call Information Flyer

Evaluation criteria

Successful commercialization of IP, a winning criteria of the WIPO Global Awards

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.

Green farming, a positive impact on society and a winning criteria of the WIPO Global Awards

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 of the WIPO Global Awards contenders

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:

1st step of a WIPO Global Awards entry: the application

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.

2nd step of a WIPO Global Awards entry: the shortlisting of nominees

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.

3rd step of a WIPO Global Awards entry: the winners selection

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.

4th step of a WIPO Global Awards entry: the awards ceremony attendance

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.

Disclaimer
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.