On 19 July 2022, the awards ceremony for the first-ever WIPO Global Awards was held during the general assembly of the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The inaugural Global Awards celebrated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that use IP rights to contribute to social, economic, and cultural progress at the regional or international level.

 

The awards attracted 272 enterprises from 62 countries to submit entry, and a seven-person international jury was appointed by the WIPO to select the winners. Five SMEs were recognized in the awards, namely, Hydraloop from the Netherlands, Lucence from Singapore, Raycan and Shylon from China, and Splink from Japan. The winners will receive a personalised mentorship program to help them to use IP for business growth, as well as other forms of support and sponsorship to facilitate their access to funding and business growth.

 

Among the winners, Chinese enterprises RAYCAN Technology Co., Ltd. (Suzhou), founded in 2009, specialises in the development and production of radiation detection and imaging equipment, and Shanghai SHYLON Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., founded in 2010, dedicates to designing, producing and marketing architectural outdoor lighting using LED technology.