
WIPO Scale Up Your IP Program for Women Innovators 2026
The WIPO Scale Up Your IP Program for Women Innovators 2026 is a free online capacity-building programme for women-led university spin-offs, research ventures, and deep-tech startups. It helps participants use intellectual property to support commercialization, growth, and investment readiness. Applications close on August 30, 2026.
Quick Overview
Programme: WIPO Scale Up Your IP Program for Women Innovators
Opportunity Type: Online Capacity-Building Programme
Organizer: WIPO
Programme Format: Online
Cost: Free
Target Group: Women founders, inventors, researchers, and lead innovators
Technology Readiness Level: TRL 4–8
Deadline: August 30, 2026
About the WIPO Scale Up Your IP Program
This special edition of Scale Up Your IP focuses on women innovators developing technologies through university and research-based activities.
The programme supports participants in addressing technology-transfer challenges and strengthening the role of intellectual property in the commercialization process. It combines practical training, expert guidance, and peer learning.
The programme is particularly relevant to women-led ventures seeking to move research-based technologies toward the market and develop sustainable growth strategies.
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Who Can Apply
The programme is designed for:
• Women-led deep-tech ventures developing innovative technologies across all sectors.
• Women founders and co-founders of university spin-offs and research-based ventures.
• Women inventors and researchers from universities and research institutions seeking to commercialize technologies and create spin-offs.
Programme Requirements
Participants should:
• Be a woman founder, co-founder, inventor, or lead innovator.
• Be developing a deep-tech product, including digital, scientific, or technology-based products.
• Have a technology readiness level of TRL 4–8.
• Have a venture that is ready to commercialize and scale.
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What Participants Will Gain
The programme combines intellectual property education with practical commercialization support.
✓ One introductory session on IP rights and their relevance to the participant’s venture
✓ Five interactive training sessions led by IP and business experts
✓ Actionable factsheets and handouts for building an IP commercialization strategy
✓ Practical templates and tools to support spin-off growth
✓ Networking opportunities with peers, partners, and investors
✓ Opportunity to pitch in front of investors at the final event
✓ Certificate of participation for participants who complete all sessions
Programme Focus
Scale Up Your IP helps participants strengthen how intellectual property fits into their commercialization strategy.
The programme focuses on helping participants:
• Integrate IP into go-to-market strategies.
• Identify unique selling points and competitive advantages.
• Use IP databases for competitor and market analysis.
• Develop brand strategies for deep-tech innovations.
• Address IP ownership and spin-off structuring challenges.
• Prepare investor-ready data rooms to support funding opportunities.
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Programme Timeline
The 2026 programme follows an online schedule.
• Application Deadline: August 30, 2026
• Introductory Session: Online on demand, to be completed by September 8, 2026
• Modules 2–6: September 9, 19, 23, and 30, and October 7, 2026
• Final Event: October 28, 2026
Application Process
Eligible women innovators can apply through the official application link provided by WIPO.
Applicants should review the eligibility requirements and programme schedule before completing the registration form. The official WIPO announcement states that applications close on August 30, 2026.
Official Link
Submit your application through the official application link below.
Apply for WIPO Scale Up Your IP Program for Women Innovators


