09 Sep 2025
This year’s WIPO Global Awards have showcased the incredible power of innovation — and how intellectual property (IP) can help turn bold ideas into real-world impact. Selected from a record-breaking 780 applications across 95 countries, ten outstanding SMEs and startups have been recognised for using IP to scale solutions that tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges.
The winners, hailing from Chile, China, Iceland, India, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and the UK, span industries as diverse as biotechnology, sustainable food, creative industries, and advanced technology. Their projects highlight how smart IP strategies not only protect ideas but also fuel global growth.
At the July 11 awards ceremony in Geneva, during the annual WIPO Assemblies, Director General Daren Tang presented trophies to the winners. Special mentions were also awarded for Best Woman Entrepreneur and Best Youth Entrepreneur, underscoring the role of inclusive innovation.
Highlights from the 2025 Winners
- Hummingbird Bioscience (Singapore): Developing next-generation antibody therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, backed by a strong patent portfolio.
- Glovatrix (India): Creator of Fifth Sense, an AI-powered glove translating sign language into speech and text, bridging communication gaps for the deaf and speech-impaired.
- Carbfix (Iceland): Turning CO₂ into stone through mineralization, delivering permanent and scalable carbon capture solutions.
- Smart Drain (Sri Lanka): A patented drainage system designed to prevent urban flooding by keeping water flowing even when drains are clogged.
- PhageLab (Chile): Replacing antibiotics in livestock farming with AI-driven bacteriophage therapies, reducing antimicrobial resistance.
- Planetary (Switzerland): Producing sustainable mycoprotein-based food ingredients through precision fermentation.
- ClicknClear (United Kingdom): Revolutionising music licensing for performance sports and fitness industries, giving legal access to rights-protected tracks.
- CodeGream (Republic of Korea): Enabling immersive 3D product showcases online, transforming digital engagement for brands and artists.
- Unitree Robotics (China): Designing agile quadruped robots for education, logistics, and security applications.
- Quinas Technology (United Kingdom): Pioneering UltraRAM™, a breakthrough memory chip that combines speed, energy efficiency, and non-volatility.
Why These Awards Matter
The winners not only demonstrate creativity and technical brilliance but also show how IP is central to scaling ideas globally. Each winner benefits from:
- Tailored business mentoring to commercialise their IP.
- International visibility and promotion.
- Access to WIPO’s global networks and advisory resources.
- Participation in high-level networking and recognition events.
By combining innovation with strategic IP management, these businesses are turning challenges in health, environment, food systems, and digital technology into opportunities for sustainable growth.
IP Solved Insight: These winners remind us that innovation is only half the story — protecting and leveraging intellectual property is what makes global success possible. Whether you’re a startup or an established business, your IP strategy can be the key to unlocking investment, scaling internationally, and securing long-term growth.
Contact IP Solved today to learn how to protect and commercialise your innovation.
