WIPO 2024 Intellectual Property (IP) Labs 2.0 Acceleration Program for Nigerian Startups

IP Labs is a WIPO IP-based capacity-building program for startups in Nigeria. The program models WIPO’s IP management clinics (IPMCs) to empower innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups to harness the power of intellectual property as a business development and financing strategy. It was designed and launched to address the identified need for capacity building within the tech, innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystem, focusing on the relevance of intellectual property.

The project will be implemented in two stages for a duration of seven months:

• Stage one, from October to December 2024, entails acceleration training modules while also introducing intellectual property to 300 early-stage SMEs.
• Stage two, occurring from January to April 2025, focuses on the IPMC training and mentorship with specialized IP and Business Developments Experts.

• Table of Content
• About World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
• Intellectual Property (IP) Labs 2.0 Acceleration Program
• Aim and Benefits of Intellectual Property (IP) Labs 2.0 Acceleration Program
• Requirements for Intellectual Property (IP) Labs 2.0 Acceleration Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Intellectual Property (IP) Labs 2.0 Acceleration Program
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property (IP) services, policy, information and cooperation. We are a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 193 member states. Our mission is to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system that enables innovation and creativity for the benefit of all. Our mandate, governing bodies and procedures are set out in the WIPO Convention, which established WIPO in 1967.... continue reading

Intellectual Property (IP) Labs 2.0 Acceleration Program

Aim and Benefits of Intellectual Property (IP) Labs 2.0 Acceleration Program

• One-on-one mentorship with renowned IP and business expert(s) selected by WIPO on how to better use IP for growth.
• Training opportunities and access to practical tools and services
• Networking opportunities amongst peers.

Requirements for Intellectual Property (IP) Labs 2.0 Acceleration Program Qualification

IP Labs Project welcomes all individuals or teams with technology driven innovative ideas that addresses real world challenges in their communities and globally, ranging from finance, job-creation, climate change, agriculture, health, education etc. To qualify, these solutions must have some form of intellectual property component to them.

The main selection criteria include the following considerations or requirements:

1. Startup must be an early-stage startup with a solution to an identified local problem.
2. Startup idea must be subject matter of an intellectual property possible of industrial application.
3. Green technologies are greatly encouraged.
4. Women-owned startups are strongly encouraged.
5. Founders of the startup must be available for the virtual 7-month curriculum.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Intellectual Property (IP) Labs 2.0 Acceleration Program

The overall objective of IP Labs 2.0 is to build capacity in the technology industry in Nigeria by enabling early-stage startups identify and utilize the IP system for business growth and commercialization. This program has the following specific objectives:

1. Train innovators and entrepreneurs on the importance of intellectual property in protecting their ideas and building a successful startup.
2. Create enabling environment for startup-investor relationship establishment and provide mentorship to startups through the mentorship sessions in stage one of the project.
3. Create success stories of startups that have leveraged IP for business by highlighting the impact of the IPMCs for participants at the concluding public ‘Demo Day’ event.
4. Encourage IP registrations in Nigeria by providing IP registration through the IPMCs.
5. Pilot the use of the adaptation of the enterprising ideas which was commissioned with the last edition of the IP Labs. 

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Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit WIPO website.