Singapore Hosts IP Week @ SG 2025: Supporting Innovators and Entrepreneurs

1      SINGAPORE, 26 August 2025 - The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) today officially kicked off IP Week @ SG 2025 (“Ideas to Assets: Innovating in Times of Change,”), a global event dedicated to exploring the transformative power of intellectual property (IP) and intangible assets (IA) in the modern economy.

2      At the opening ceremony of the event, Guest of Honour, Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Co-Chair of the Singapore IP Strategy (SIPS) 2030 Steering Committee said: “Emerging technologies like GenAI are reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. In today’s uncertain geopolitical and trade environment, businesses thrive where ideas are safeguarded and innovation is valued. Singapore is committed to strengthening our IA/IP ecosystem, not only to protect ideas but to inspire risk-taking, collaboration, and growth. With IPOS and our Singapore IP Strategy (SIPS) 2030 blueprint, we are building a future-ready economy where innovation creates new opportunities, good jobs for Singaporeans, and long-term competitiveness.” 

3      Several initiatives to help enterprises leverage IA & IP were announced.

4      Through a partnership between IPOS and the Franchising and Licensing Association (FLA), enterprises can access practical IP guidance sessions that will equip them with IP protection and commercialisation know-how. They can also leverage FLA’s franchising and licensing networks to scale across borders.

5      Under the Foundational Intangibles Disclosure (FIND) programme, Nanofilm Technologies International Limited, a nanotechnology solutions provider headquartered in Singapore, unveiled its Intangibles Disclosure Framework (IDF) report, which discloses its critical technology and customer-related intangibles extensively. FIND, an initiative by IPOS, Singapore Exchange, WIPO Singapore Office and the Stock Exchange of Thailand, aims to develop benchmark reports to guide businesses in sharing structured information about their IA. This comes on the back of wider developments for IA valuation.

6      The Institute of Valuers and Appraisers, Singapore, together with the American Society of Appraisers, Chartered Business Valuators Institute, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, are in the midst of seeking public feedback on proposed IA valuation guidelines. The guidelines will provide a trusted, consistent approach to valuing IA, including IP.

7      To nurture a group of IP-savvy champions and enterprises, a new platform, called the Enterprise IP Community (EIPC), will be launched later this year to facilitate peer learning, mentorship and best practices sharing. Enterprises can also tap on GoBusiness IP Grow, an online platform to improve accessibility to IP services for enterprises. Since its launch in September 2023, GoBusiness IP Grow has facilitated over 4,500 requests to connect with listed service providers, where businesses can get IP advice and support to grow.

8      IPOS and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) will hold a Regional Dialogue with Heads of IP Office from close to 20 countries in the Asia Pacific region to share best practices on supporting SMEs to leverage IP for growth.

9      Tan Kong Hwee, Chief Executive of IPOS said, “As we celebrate the 14th edition of IP Week @ SG, we mark not just the longevity of this event, but its growing impact as a global platform for innovation and enterprise. Over the years, IP Week has brought together business leaders, innovators, and investors to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and learn how intellectual property (IP) and intangible assets (IA) can be transformed into real drivers of business growth and economic competitiveness. At IPOS, we are strengthening our IA/IP regime, supporting enterprises to unlock the value of their IA, and deepening collaboration with ASEAN and global partners. Our aim is clear: to give innovators and investors the confidence to create, scale and succeed, advancing Singapore as a trusted hub for innovation and enterprise.” 

For media queries, please contact:

Ms Melody Faye Jimbangan
Ruder Finn Asia on behalf of IPOS
Tel: +65 9352 5498
melody.faye@ruderfinn.com ↗ (opens in new tab)

IPOS
Ms Jenny Kwok
Senior Assistant Director, Media & Communications
Tel: +65 8333 7231
jenny_kwok@ipos.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)

Annex:

Firm Market Valuation and Intellectual Property Assets: A Singapore Study ↗ (opens in new tab)

Intangible Assets in ASEAN Capital Markets – Trends, Gaps and Policy Implications ↗ (opens in new tab)

More on IP Week

IP Week @ SG 2025 brings together 5000 delegates from more than 40 countries, over 100 partners and representatives from more than 20 IP offices worldwide, including regional and international organisations such as WIPO, Singapore Exchange (SGX), Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), and International Trademark Association (INTA). The week-long programme connects thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore how IP can drive sustainable growth and resilience in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

As part of IP Week celebrations, IPOS had concluded bilateral agreements to deepen IP cooperation with China and the UK, and will sign a Declaration of Intent with Switzerland later today.

The ASEAN Patent Examination Co-operation (ASPEC) programme will see further enhancements, beginning with the permanent incorporation of using Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) reports for acceleration of patent protection in the region, attesting to the successful pilot earlier under ASPEC. From 2026, ASPEC will also be enhanced towards availing more harmonised reports within committed timelines. These enhancements will make it easier for businesses to obtain patents in the ASEAN market. The ASPEC programme, under the ASEAN Patent Task Force chaired by IPOS, has benefitted 400+ applicants across 30+ countries by accelerating over 1,800 patent applications.

2025 marks Singapore's 30-year membership in key IP treaties like the Paris Convention and Patent Cooperation Treaty, which facilitate international IP protection. It also marks 10 years since IPOS became one of only 24 global International Authorities for Search and Examination, demonstrating Singapore's high-quality patent services.

IPOS and its partners also released two studies, 1) the IPOS-SGX “Firm Market Valuation and Intellectual Property Assets: A Singapore Study” which examines how patents and trademarks influence market valuation of SGX-listed firms, showing strong investor sensitivity to IP ownership; and 2) the study from the International Valuation Standards Council, supported by IPOS “Intangible Assets in ASEAN Capital Markets - Trends, Gaps and Policy Implications” study which analyses recognised IA of ASEAN-5 listed firms, highlighting trends, valuation gaps, and policy implications for financial reporting.

For more information about the sessions of IP Week @ SG 2025, please visit: https://www.ipweek2025.sg/ ↗ (opens in new tab)

About IPOS

The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) helps businesses use IP and intangible assets to grow. We are committed to building Singapore into an international hub for intangible assets and IP to drive Singapore’s future growth. We are a government agency under the Ministry of Law. www.ipos.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)