Unlocking Venture Potential in Sri Lanka through IP - WIPO

Twenty-five high-potential research ventures transformed intellectual property into market advantage during Sri Lanka's Scale Up Your IP Program. These university spinoffs gained critical commercialization skills during the intensive three-day workshop in Colombo from February 18-20, 2025. Organized by WIPO and the National Innovation Agency (NIA) of Sri Lanka, with funding from the Funds-In-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global , the Program targeted the critical gap between laboratory innovation and commercial success.

Sri Lanka's universities and R&D centers produce breakthrough innovations, but commercialization remains difficult. R&D-intensive ventures face persistent challenges in defining market value, protecting intellectual property, and securing investment. Early integration of IP into business models offers a clear competitive advantage, attracts funding, and enables successful scaling.

A great idea or deeptech prototype needs early-stage strategy to succeed in the market. The Scale Up Your IP Program takes participants beyond theory—showing innovators how to integrate intellectual property into their commercialization strategy, and to transform it into a growth-driving asset aligned with commercial objectives.

The three-day intensive program focused on actionable skills. Participants worked directly with their own ventures through interactive sessions covering:

Dr. Dhanushi Hettiarachchi – Ophta Innovations "Thrilled to learn from the world's best on Intellectual Property, a crucial asset for the success of deep tech startups. A big thank you to National Innovation Agency (NIA) Sri Lanka and WIPO for bringing this valuable opportunity to Sri Lanka!"

Himal Gunawardhana – ITSELF Automation "Grateful for the opportunity to scale up my IP knowledge! This invaluable experience has deepened my understanding of intellectual property and its commercialization in the academic landscape. Looking forward to applying these insights to innovate and contribute to the field of healthcare and medical devices."

The Scale Up Your IP Program provides foundational knowledge and practical skills that transform cutting-edge research into scalable, IP-driven businesses. It serves as a launchpad and catalyst for ongoing growth and commercial success.

Contact us to learn more about upcoming programs.