17 July 2025
This past week in Geneva, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) celebrated ten exceptional small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups as the winners of its 2025 Global Awards.
In a ceremony on July 11, 2025, held during the WIPO Assemblies in Geneva, Director General Daren Tang presented trophies to ten remarkable SMEs and startups as the winners of this year’s WIPO Global Awards. The winners were selected by an eminent international jury from a highly competitive pool of over 780 submissions spanning 95 countries.
Ten SMEs and startups from Chile, China, Iceland, India, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom were recognized as exceptional companies that make smart use of intellectual property (IP) for business and social impact.
This event is more than just an awards ceremony; it’s a powerful demonstration of how a forward-thinking intellectual property (IP) strategy can transform visionary ideas into global success stories.
We are especially proud to see Singapore’s own:
Hummingbird Bio among the winners, recognized in the Health category for their groundbreaking work in antibody therapeutics. Their success, on a global stage with over 780 applicants from 95 countries, is a testament to the world-class innovation happening right here at home.
What Sets the Winners Apart?
Their innovations include antibody therapeutics, sign-to-speech gloves, next-generation memory chips, and sustainable protein fermentation, among other breakthroughs that reflect the transformative power of IP in improving lives, advancing technology, and building more sustainable communities. These companies are tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges across diverse fields like health, environment, and ICT.
“This year’s winners show how the smart use of intellectual property can power growth, foster creativity and deliver solutions that benefit people around the world.”
– WIPO Director General Daren Tang
The Real Prize: Turning IP into a Growth Engine
Beyond the trophy, the winners receive a prize package designed to accelerate their growth, which is where the true value of their IP strategy becomes clear.
The benefits include:
- Tailored mentoring to support IP commercialization.
- Expert advice on fundraising and business development.
- Enhanced global visibility through WIPO’s extensive networks.
- Long-term access to WIPO’s advisory services on IP management.
This support mirrors the strategic guidance we believe every innovator deserves from day one. It highlights that a patent, trademark, or design is not the end of the journey—it’s the key that unlocks investment, new markets, and global recognition.
Our Initiative: Building Tomorrow’s Global Award Winners
The success of Hummingbird Bio and the other nine winners is an inspiration. It proves that with the right idea and the right IP strategy, Singaporean companies can lead the world.
If you are an entrepreneur or SME looking to leverage your intellectual property for growth, this initiative is for you. We will work with you to:
- Assess Your IP Portfolio: Identify the strengths and opportunities within your current IP.
- Align IP with Business Goals: Develop a clear strategy to use your IP for fundraising, market entry, and commercialization.
- Build a Global Strategy: Chart a course for protecting and leveraging your ideas across borders.
Let us help you turn your brilliant ideas into global assets. Contact us today to book your consultation and start your journey to the world stage.
Congratulations again to all the 2025 WIPO Global Awards winners for showing us what’s possible!
Lionel is the founder of Auriga IP and is a registered Patent Attorney with 20+ years of experience in IP. He is skilled in patent drafting, prosecution, IP strategy, and due diligence. Lionel has helped diverse companies, from startups to MNCs like Razer and Grab, build innovation culture and manage IP to create significant value and assets.
Email: lionel.ser@aurigaip.com