Call for Applications: 2025 World Intellectual Property Organisation Global Awards

South Africa
Awards
Intellectual Property
Startups
SMMEs
Entrepreneurship

Every year the  World Intellectual Property Organisation Global Awards (WIPO) Global Awards celebrate small businesses, start-ups and university spinouts that leverage Intellectual Property (IP) backed innovation and creativity in an exceptional manner to achieve business goals and improve society.

The WIPO Global Awards are celebrating your achievements, specifically focusing on:

  • Transforming research and ideas into successful commercial ventures
  • Achieving business growth through IP-driven strategies
  • Developing innovations that contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Who Can Apply?

Applications from all sectors are welcome—technology, fashion, health, agriculture, design, and more—that are leveraging any form of IP (copyright, trademarks, patents, and geographical indications) to improve outcomes and touch lives. 

Applications are accepted in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.

What’s in it for the Winners?

  • Global Recognition: An invitation to the Awards Ceremony during the WIPO Assembly in Geneva, July 2025.
  • Tailored Mentorship: Personalised guidance to enhance IP strategies, pursue new business goals, and access funding opportunities. More than an award, WIPO want to empower these trailblazers to reach new heights.
  • Special Mentions: This year, the Best Woman Entrepreneur and Best Youth Entrepreneur will be recognised.

Click here to apply

Closing date
Industry
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
​Mining and quarrying
​Manufacturing
​Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities
​Construction
​Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles
​Transportation and storage
Accommodation and food service activities
​Information and communication
Financial and insurance activities
​Real estate activities
Professional, scientific and technical activities
Administrative and support service activities
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security
​Education
Human health and social work activities
​Arts, entertainment and recreation
​Other service activities
Activities of households as employers; undifferentiated goods-and-service-producing activities of households for own use
​Activities of extraterritorial organisations and bodies, not economically active people, unemployed people etc.
Website link
https://www.wipo.int/portal/en/