WIPO Global Awards 2026 for Innovative and Creative Startups and SMEs Worldwide (Travel expenses covered to Geneva, Switzerland)

Application Deadline: 31 March 2026.

Applications at the moment are open for the 2026 WIPO Global Awards. The Awards reward enterprises that use mental property (IP) rights as a strategic asset to scale their enterprise and create real-world impression.

In 2026, 11 enterprises can be acknowledged:

• 10 Prizes throughout all sectors of the financial system (together with well being, agrifood, setting, inventive industries, and ICT)
• 1 Thematic Prize: SMEs in Sports, aligned with the theme of World IP Day 2026
• 2 Special Mentions: Best Woman Entrepreneur and Best Youth Entrepreneur

Evaluation focuses on:

• the power of the enterprise mannequin and IP safety technique
• the readability of the IP commercialization plan
• the corporate’s inner IP tradition
• and the contribution of the enterprise to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Requirements

Open to startups and SMEs from all 194 WIPO Member States.

You can apply if your enterprise:

• Is legally registered
• Has a most of 300 staff and USD 15M in annual income
• Offers an revolutionary services or products linked to IP
• Holds no less than one pending (for startups) or registered (for SMEs) IP proper
• Shows early-market exercise (for startups) or industrial traction (for SMEs)

Benefits

• Winners obtain international visibility by way of the WIPO–UN system, a tailor-made 6-month mentorship program on IP asset commercialization and enterprise technique, connections to traders, corporates, establishments, and service suppliers providing unique advantages to the winners, and an invite to Geneva for the Awards Ceremony in the course of the WIPO Assemblies.

Gain international recognition and visibility

• Be celebrated in Geneva in entrance of leaders from 194 nations.
• Gain worldwide media publicity.
• Receive promotional materials to enhance your organization credibility.

Receive acceleration & strategic enterprise assist

• Access an unique 2-day workshop on IP and Business. 
• Benefit from a six-month tailor-made 1:1 mentoring package deal. 
• Attend year-round on-line fireplace chats with consultants.

Have entry to unique networking Opportunities

• Access unique advantages from our Ecosystem Partners: traders, corporates, accelerators, tradeshows and service suppliers. 
• Join the WIPO Global Awards Alumni Community: 100+ enterprise pioneers turning mental property into real-world impression.

How to apply

Applications are open from January 15, 2026, till March 31, 2026, at 23:59 Central European Time to startups and SMEs from all 194 Member States.

The application kind is on the market in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the WIPO Global Awards