The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) invites small and medium-sized enterprises and startups from around the world to apply for the WIPO Global Awards 2026. Applications are open until March 31, 2026.
The WIPO Awards are presented annually to companies that strategically use intellectual property rights to grow their business and make a positive contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Who can apply?
Startups and small and medium-sized enterprises from all economic sectors and all regions of the world are eligible to apply if they successfully translate research, ideas, and creativity into market solutions, use intellectual property as a strategic tool for growth, and create a measurable impact on society or the economy through innovation.
Companies must meet the following conditions:
- are legally registered businesses,
- have a maximum of 300 employees and up to 15 million USD in annual revenue,
- offer an innovative product or service related to the use of intellectual property,
- possess at least one filed (for startups) or registered (for small and medium-sized enterprises) industrial property right or copyright,
- demonstrate an early market presence (for startups) or commercial success or market establishment (for small and medium-sized enterprises).
News and Awards in 2026
In 2026, WIPO will present awards to 11 companies:
- 10 nagrad zmagovalcem iz vseh sektorjev gospodarstva (zdravstvo, agroživilski sektor, okolje, kreativne industrije, IKT ipd.),
- 1 tematska nagrado: za podjetja na področju športa, v skladu s temo Svetovnega dneva intelektualne lastnine 2026,
- 2 posebni omembi: najboljša podjetnica in najboljši mladi podjetnik.
What do the winners receive?
- 6-mesečni prilagojen mentorski program s področja komercializacije intelektualne lastnine in strategije,
- global recognition,
- connections with investors, other entrepreneurs, institutions, and international business networks,
- an invitation to the award ceremony in Geneva in July 2026, held on the sidelines of the WIPO General Assemblies.
How to participate?
Companies can submit their application via the online form no later than March 31, 2026.
On the WIPO website, you can find more information and the online application form (in English).
You are invited to apply!
Med preteklimi zmagovalci je tudi slovensko podjetje Aerosol d.o.o., ki je leta 2023 prejelo to prestižno globalno priznanje za svoje vrhunske instrumente in metode za merjenje kakovosti zraka. Njihov uspeh potrjuje, da je učinkovito upravljanje intelektualne lastnine ključno za doseganje globalne konkurenčnosti. Med lanske finaliste je mednarodna žirija uvrstila tudi slovensko podjetje Kavčič, ki združuje spretnost tradicionalnega slovenskega lesarstva z digitalnimi tehnologijami in ustvarja kakovostno modularno pohištvo za sodobno bivanje.
Source: URSIL