The Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) launched IP Week on Tuesday, welcoming more than 5,000 delegates from over 40 countries to explore how intellectual property and intangible assets (IA) can drive innovation and economic growth. Now in its 14th year, the event carries the theme “Ideas to Assets: Innovating in Times of Change,” reflecting the growing importance of IP and IA amid rapid technological shifts and global uncertainty.

“Change is not constant; it’s accelerating,” said See Leng Tan, minister-in-charge of energy and science and technology at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and co-chair of the Singapore IP Strategy (SIPS) 2030 Steering Committee, during the opening ceremony. He emphasized Singapore’s commitment to strengthening its IP ecosystem, noting that emerging technologies such as generative artificial intelligence, coupled with geopolitical and trade uncertainties, make it more critical than ever for businesses to safeguard their ideas, foster collaboration and pursue sustainable growth.

Tan added that Singapore is positioning itself as a trusted hub for innovation and enterprise, deepening cooperation with ASEAN and global partners and supporting enterprises in unlocking value from their intangible assets.

IP Week has evolved into a global platform for thought leadership, bringing together business leaders, innovators and investors to exchange ideas and forge partnerships. This year’s programme featured the release of several landmark studies that underscore Singapore’s strategic push to become a global hub for IP and IA.

The IPOS-SGX Firm Market Valuation and IP Assets Study revealed a strong correlation between IP ownership and market valuation among SGX-listed firms. Companies with registered patents and trademarks tend to command higher investor confidence and valuation premiums. The study supports the Foundational Intangibles Disclosure programme, which encourages firms to publish structured disclosures of key intangibles. Nanofilm Technologies became the first SGX-listed company to release its Intangibles Disclosure Framework under FIND, setting a precedent for transparency in IP reporting.

Another key report, jointly developed by IPOS and the International Valuation Standards Council, analyzed 3,504 companies across ASEAN-5 markets. It found that recognized intangible assets grew from 1 percent to over 2 percent of enterprise value between 2005 and 2022. Companies listed outside ASEAN showed higher levels of IP-linked intangible assets, suggesting stronger valuation practices abroad. The report calls for policy reforms to improve IA recognition and financial reporting standards across the region.

The Singapore IP Survey 2025, based on responses from more than 800 enterprises, revealed that 15 percent of companies believe the bulk of their value resides in IA or IP. Businesses cited collaboration, competitiveness, market expansion and revenue growth as key benefits of leveraging IP. Despite this, 92 percent of companies did not utilize government grants or subsidies, with a lack of awareness cited as the main barrier. The survey also found that 59 percent of companies are willing to offer a wage premium for employees with IP skills, highlighting the growing demand for IP-savvy talent.

These findings align with the goals of the Singapore IP Strategy 2030 and reinforce the city-state’s ambition to lead in innovation, enterprise and IP-driven growth. The event also featured bilateral agreements with China and the United Kingdom, and a Declaration of Intent with Switzerland to deepen international IP cooperation.

- Cathy Li