Source: www.people.cn
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently announced the winners of its 2023 Global Awards Program in Geneva, Switzerland. Two Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) along with five peers from France, Kenya, Mexico, Singapore and Slovenia emerged from 548 SMEs from around the world to win the second edition of the annual competition. Chinese SMEs' consecutive conquests of this global award that aims to inspire innovation and IP exhibit their dynamic efforts into taking on future challenges with innovation and IP.
"For SMEs, IP is both a shield and a sword. It not only helps protect their ideas, but is also a vehicle for entering and succeeding in new markets. This is why we are working so hard to ensure that SMEs are using IP to grow and scale," WIPO Director General Daren Tang said at the awards ceremony. "SMEs make up 90 percent of all companies in the world. Building a more inclusive IP ecosystem that brings IP closer to SMEs is key to WIPO's strategy, and we see these awards as a chance to celebrate, recognize and reward dynamic and innovative SMEs using innovation to change the world," he added.
The organization announced the results of its 2023 Global Awards competition, which recognized seven small and medium-sized enterprises for the way they have used IP for economic, social and cultural impact. The seven winners are at the forefront of innovation and have contributed in diverse areas.
WIPO received 548 submissions from 58 countries across all regions of the world and a wide variety of sectors, including the creative industries, food, green energy technologies, health, and more. The 25 finalists are drawn from 16 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle-East, North America and Latin America. China, from where half of all applicants hailed, accounts for six of the finalists – the strongest showing from a single country.