The IPOS family is proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Singapore’s intangible assets and intellectual property (IA and IP) enterprise capability building arm. As part of IPOS International, the IP Strategy Solutions (IPSS) unit has been a driving force in propelling Singapore’s innovation ecosystem.

Founding vision and early achievements

In August 2014, in line with the recommendations of Singapore’s IP Hub Masterplan, IPSS was initially founded as IP ValueLab, a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPOS. IP ValueLab was tasked to catalyse the growth of intellectual property management (IPM), commercialisation, and valuation in Singapore.

Concurrently, recognising the potential of Singapore-based companies rich in intellectual property, IPOS introduced the IP Financing Scheme. This innovative initiative aimed to encourage financial institutions to accept IP assets as collateral for loans. IP ValueLab played a crucial role in administering this scheme and putting together a panel of financial institutions to issue IP-backed loans.

In 2016, IP ValueLab embarked on a comprehensive year-long consultation with key stakeholders from Singapore and overseas, exploring IP’s role in the innovation cycle. To thoroughly assess the gaps and opportunities in our innovation ecosystem, IP ValueLab commissioned a pivotal study on the IP Transaction and Management ecosystem. The findings of the study, which integrated international best practices, were instrumental in shaping the Update to the IP Hub Master Plan.

Empowering enterprises to create value from IA and IP

Aligned with the updated recommendations of the IP Hub Masterplan, which recognised that Singapore’s future growth depends on enhancing the value created from IA and IP, and the need for customised IPM assistance to help Singapore companies grow, IP ValueLab expanded its efforts and scope of work. Post-2017 marked a significant shift towards partnering companies and entrepreneurs to provide IP expertise and tools that add tremendous value. This strategic expansion was aimed at growing a vibrant IP services marketplace and equipping growth-oriented companies with the IPM capabilities to thrive in the international arena.

IP ValueLab began offering tailored IP audit and strategy services to support our enterprises to scale up and internationalise. This was achieved through a strategic partnership with EverEdge Global, a move that infused global expertise into our local context. The consultancy services helped client organisations to identify, create, manage and commercialise IA and IP. IP ValueLab also acted as an evangelist, actively engaging with the business and innovation community through exclusive workshops and roundtable sessions. This hands-on approach on the ground helped to bridge the gap between theory and practice, driving real-world impact.

As IP ValueLab implemented targeted initiatives to support innovative local enterprises, it also broadened efforts to enhance IP accessibility and understanding across the business landscape. This comprehensive approach included the development of the IP Service Directory, business guides, and video case studies.

The online IP Service Directory featured 25 IP practitioners and four tax advisors. This resource has since evolved into the robust GoBusiness IP Grow platform, greatly expanding its reach and functionality. Additionally, IP ValueLab launched 15 detailed business guides and 26 video case studies. These resources were designed to demystify IP for enterprises by providing practical, business-centric guidance on crucial IP topics, from safeguarding IP to monetisation and branding. Enterprises and the wider innovation community could readily access the valuable IP knowledge and tools through IP ValueLab’s online portal. 

In 2018, IP ValueLab took the helm from IPOS as the organiser of the annual IP Awards, to celebrate IP champions and profile their stories. That year, it introduced new categories that celebrate innovation, commercialisation, and transformation, and even a special category to acknowledge young inventors. This enhancement broadened the awards' scope in recognising and profiling more IP champions from across Singapore’s diverse industries.

Scaling impact and innovation

With a solid foundation in place, the focus shifted towards amplifying our impact. 2019 marked a transformation for IP ValueLab as it became an integral part of IPOS International, restructured as IP Strategy Solutions (IPSS). The merger streamlined our operations and broadened our capabilities, paving the way for a more unified and impactful service offering. As the IP ecosystem in Singapore continued to evolve, IPSS also calibrated its strategies to align with the changing market demands.

The IP management capabilities nurtured within the unit, coupled with a practical understanding of what local SMEs need, prompted the development of innovative initiatives like IP Start and GoBusiness IP Grow. These were also enabled by partnerships forged in the innovation and business communities. The launch of IP Start in 2022 represented a leap towards empowering start-ups through collaboration with accelerators, incubators, and community partners. To date, the programme has supported over 400 start-ups, greatly expanding our reach and influence within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In addition to offering comprehensive resources that guide start-ups during the initial stages of innovation, IPSS also conducted specialised IP training sessions for partners to further grow IP capabilities in a key part of the innovation ecosystem.

In 2023, we marked another milestone during IP Week by launching GoBusiness IP Grow, now featuring close to 140 IP service providers across 20 service categories. It extended the accessibility of IP services for the business community. This innovative platform was collaboratively developed with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, GovTech, and Smart Nation Singapore.

Today, IPSS continues to maintain and grow a deep appreciation of practical enterprise IP needs and challenges by providing IA and IP advisory support through our IP Ready programme, targeted at building internal IPM capabilities within a smaller pool of companies focused on Singapore’s key industry sectors. On top of addressing immediate IP needs, IP Ready also enhances companies’ internal IPM processes and frameworks, and grow fit-for-purpose IPM skills across various job roles.

IPSS also continues to promulgate the value of IPM to enterprises, working with partners like GlobalConnect@SBF and trade and business associations, to increase our reach to the business community. As part of doing so, we have curated and delivered insightful presentations at major industry events such as Slingshot and the SME Centre Conference. We have also integrated IP considerations for businesses into innovation guides, such as the Green Innovation Starter Guide crafted in collaboration with Enterprise Singapore, the Building and Construction Authority, IPI, and the ASHRAE Singapore Chapter.

We continue our commitment to accessibility by creating new resources that are readily digestible by the business community. Through the snazzy ‘IA at Play!’ brand of video case studies, enterprises can learn from IP champions in concise, business-focused scenarios. Such content continues to enrich the IP knowledge base and advance the collective growth of the IP ecosystem.

Enabling enterprises to better leverage IA and IP for growth

By 2024, IP Strategy Solutions has profoundly impacted the business landscape, empowering over 1,000 enterprises to optimise their intangible assets and intellectual property for growth. This significant achievement underscores our steadfast commitment and role as a force in helping innovative enterprises leverage IA and IP for growth.

As we celebrate a decade of transformative milestones, we are re-energised to push the boundaries for the next generation of enterprises and innovators. The coming decade brims with new frontiers and exciting challenges, as IP Strategy Solutions continues to lead groundbreaking initiatives that help solidify Singapore’s reputation as a global hub for IA and IP.

IP Strategy Solutions Milestones

Cheers to a Decade of Innovation & Growth with IPSS! 🎉
[Birthday messages from past and present IP ValueLab and IP Strategy Solutions team members]

IPSS Turns 10! 🎂
[Cherished memories from past and present IP ValueLab and IP Strategy Solutions team members]