Global Innovation Index Analysis

WIPO’s global report on IP filings is out and records are being broken. 2024 saw the highest ever patent filings – 3.7 million worldwide. Design filings also peaked at a record 1.6 mln, while trademark filings stabilized after two years of decline. But within this rich trove of data from nearly 150 IP offices, a few deeper insights stand out. First, emerging and developing countries continue to embrace IP-driven growth and transformation, whether driven by the need to diversify engines of growth, support increasing aspirations of local innovators and entrepreneurs, create more attractive investment environments, or simply seek new sources of growth. For the sixth consecutive year, India posts double-digit growth in patent filings, with Türkiye also up some 15%. Among the top 20 countries of origin, 12 saw increases in trademark filings, led by Argentina, Brazil and Indonesia, and with strong growth in upper middle-income economies like Colombia, South Africa, Thailand and Viet Nam. Design filings tell a similar story, with the fastest growth in India, Morocco and Indonesia. What this means is that many emerging economies are following the path of the world’s established innovation powerhouses in using IP as a strategic lever for economic growth, diversification, development and resilience. The next challenge is commercializing more of these filings, so they become real-world products and services. Second, we’re seeing more domestic, or “resident” filings. In areas like trademarks and designs, resident filings have traditionally made up the vast majority (+70%) as local businesses often register IP to protect brands and designs serving domestic markets. Now, we’re seeing the same dynamics in patents. Resident patent filings grew almost 7% last year, the fastest rise since 2016, to 72% of the total. This growth in domestic filings suggests that innovation ecosystems are maturing (even for high-tech discoveries, inventors typically file at home first before expanding abroad). It may also reflect shifts in global trade flows, with some industries becoming more localized. Third, many of the major trends in recent years continue to accelerate. Just as AI and digital innovation dominate the headlines, computer technology remains the top field for patent activity, with its growth outpacing all others. The gender balance in innovation is also improving. The proportion of women inventors in international patent applications has increased from 11.6% in 2010 to 18% last year. Beyond the individual data points, the value of this report lies in what it reveals about the global state of innovation and the direction it’s heading. This year’s WIPI shows that people everywhere continue to believe in the power of IP to protect ideas and incentivize innovation, and it gives WIPO the energy to continue strengthening IP ecosystems everywhere to give these innovators and creators the tools to protect and commercialize their ideas. 🔗 https://ow.ly/gub150XqnE7

Many organizations approach innovation the way they approach budgeting or operations. They create roadmaps, timelines, and committees designed to produce breakthroughs on schedule. But the history of technology suggests something different. Most meaningful innovations do not arrive neatly on a calendar. They appear unexpectedly. A new idea. A technical breakthrough. A surprising connection between two things that previously seemed unrelated. The real challenge is making sure your organization is ready when those moments appear. The companies and institutions that consistently innovate tend to invest early in talent and technical capability. They build cultures where experimentation is encouraged and where people are willing to test new ideas. They maintain the flexibility to pursue unexpected opportunities and move quickly when promising ideas appear. Innovation rarely begins as a fully formed plan. More often it begins as a possibility that only a few people recognize at first. The advantage goes to the organizations that have prepared themselves to recognize that moment and act on it. You may not be able to schedule inspiration. But you can build teams, systems, and cultures that are ready when it shows up. #SchmidtSights

Why Estonia 🇪🇪 is ideal launchpad for Your next (remote) business? Estonia is #1 in European Tax Policy Scorecard Rankings, making us a top destination for startup entrepreneurs and remote business owners, thanks to its progressive policies, digital services and supportive startup ecosystem. Here's why you should consider Estonia as the base for your next #business: 🚀 1. World-Leading Tax Competitiveness (photo) For many year, Estonia ranks first in the European Tax Policy Scorecard. This top position is attributed to its transparent and efficient tax system, including no corporate tax for re-invested profits and flat taxing of corporate profits only when distributed via dividends. 💻 2. Seamless Digital Infrastructure Estonia's e-Residency program offers a government-issued digital identity, enabling entrepreneurs worldwide to establish and manage an EU-based company entirely online. With this digital ID, you can: - Register your new #company in 20 minutes - Access banking and payment services - File your taxes and sign documents digitally - Manage your business remotely from anywhere by supportive service providers ecosystem - Even many Europeans 🇪🇺 use Estonian legal entities, as its easier to register and operate than their local companies. This digital-first approach minimizes bureaucracy and streamlines your business operations. 🌍 3. Thriving Startup Ecosystem Estonia boasts a vibrant #startup scene with most unicorns per capita in Europe, including HQs of Bolt, Wise and Veriff. Entrepreneurs benefit from: - Access to 450 million European consumers - Great local and global funding opportunities - A collaborative tech #community - Global #1 startup options legislation and great startup visa These factors create an environment conducive to innovation and growth. Ready to launch Your business in Estonia? 🚀 Embracing Estonia's digital #ecosystem can provide your business with a competitive edge in the global market. Explore the e-Residency program and take the first step toward establishing your EU-based company today. 🔗 Learn more about Estonian e-residency programme: http://e-resident.gov.ee 🔗 European Tax rankings - https://lnkd.in/dk5B23Mk #eResidency #Estonia #RemoteBusiness #DigitalNomad #StartupEcosystem #TaxCompetitiveness

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐁𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 “Europe is rearming.” NATO’s 3.5% target. ReArm Europe. Hundreds of billions in new defence spending. But one question is largely missing from the fiscal debate: which regions will actually capture that spending? Defence contracts do not spread evenly. They flow to places that already combine industrial depth with strong innovation systems, the ecosystems capable of delivering aircraft, naval platforms, autonomous systems and advanced electronics. Below 262 EU NUTS2 regions are mapped according to: industrial capacity and innovation readiness. Industrial capacity is measured by the share of employment in NACE C30 (aerospace, shipbuilding, military and space equipment) within manufacturing. Innovation readiness is proxied by the 2025 Regional Innovation Index (relative to the EU27 average), using the regional median as the threshold. Together, these indicators capture where defence spending is most likely to translate into sustained industrial upgrading. Crossing the two produces four regional types. 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 combine both strengths. Toulouse, Oberbayern, Tübingen, Hamburg, Stockholm, Göteborg, Île-de-France. Their average RII is 121. They are positioned to win the most technologically demanding contracts and absorb spillovers. 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 have industrial depth but weaker innovation systems. Romanian Sud-Est, Polish Podkarpackie, Czech Moravskoslezsko, parts of Italy and Croatia. Their average RII is 75. Without upgrading, they risk being locked into lower-value subcontracting while high-value activities concentrate elsewhere. 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡, 𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 score high on RII but lack C30 presence. They may benefit through dual-use R&D, but not industrial production. 𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, largely in Southern and Eastern Europe, have neither capacity nor strong innovation systems. For them, the defence surge is economically marginal. The implication is straightforward. Left to market forces, defence investment will reinforce existing spatial concentration. Regions with industrial heritage but weak innovation ecosystems face a strategic choice: invest in upgrading now, or remain peripheral in the next industrial cycle. A Just Transition logic applied to defence would prioritise the orange quadrant. The industrial base exists. The policy question is whether cohesion funds and EU defence instruments can help build the innovation capacity around it, rather than simply amplifying the geography that already dominates.

📢 Europe often doubts itself. But the first European Startup and Scaleup Scoreboard tells a more encouraging story. 🚀 According to the European Commission, Europe’s startup and scaleup ecosystem is growing steadily. More importantly, the Scoreboard shows something I have seen many times in the field: startups do not grow in isolation. They grow when regulation is clear, talent is available, capital can circulate, and public policy understands entrepreneurship rather than slowing it down. 🌍 Estonia, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark are performing well above the EU average. This is not an accident. These countries show that Europe can build strong startup ecosystems while remaining faithful to its culture: trust, education, long-term thinking, social responsibility and respect for people. 💥 After creating, co-creating or developing more than 26 startups, I know how fragile the early years can be. A good idea is never enough. Founders need access to funding. They need skilled teams. They need administrations that help rather than discourage. They need rules, yes, but rules that protect without suffocating innovation. This is why this Scoreboard matters to me. It is not just another European report. It is a mirror. It shows where Europe is progressing, where gaps remain, and where we must act faster if we want our startups to become global scaleups. ✅ I have always believed that Europe does not need to copy Silicon Valley. We have our own model to build. A model where innovation is ambitious, but also ethical. Where growth is encouraged, but not detached from responsibility. Where technology serves society, not the other way around. The next challenge is clear: we must help more European countries move from “catching-up” to “high-performing”, and from “high-performing” to “front-runners”. 🎯 Europe has talent. Europe has research. Europe has entrepreneurs. Europe has values. Now we must make sure that our founders can scale from Europe, for Europe, and to the world. 👇 I invite you to read the European Commission press release, because it gives a very useful view of where Europe stands today and what we must still improve to help our startups and scaleups thrive. https://lnkd.in/emq8maea The below clip was created by Adobe Stock #DigitalEU #DigitalEUAmbassador #Entrepreneur #Startup

🌿🌍 Sustainable innovation is coming at the forefront of business discussions lately, and I'd like to share some thoughts. I propose defining sustainable innovation as “a type of innovation process that deliberately integrates environmental and social considerations into the development of new products, services, or business models, with the explicit goal of creating long-term positive impact at both organizational and systemic levels.” Importantly, it should help companies and entire systems function within our planet's boundaries. However, the path to sustainable innovation is fraught with challenges. In my experience, there are four significant hurdles: 1. 🧠 Lack of relevant human capital: Many organizations simply don't have the specialized expertise needed to address complex sustainability challenges. This knowledge gap can severely hamper innovation efforts. 2. 🏗️ Underdeveloped organizational capabilities: Even with the right people, companies often lack the structures, processes, incentives, and cultures necessary to foster sustainable innovation. Developing these capabilities requires significant time and investment. 3. 🔍 Insufficient absorptive capacity: Many firms struggle to identify, assimilate, and apply existing sustainable technologies. This is about having the internal capacity to understand and implement these innovations effectively. 4. 🤝 Dearth of stakeholder-oriented mindsets: For decades, business education has focused on shareholder primacy. Shifting to a more holistic, stakeholder-centric approach is not just a matter of policy change; it requires a fundamental rewiring of how business leaders think and operate. When it comes to measuring sustainable innovation, we're in a period of profound experimentation. 🧪 Companies are actively testing various initiatives, products, and business models in pursuit of sustainability. We're in the early stages of this journey, and failure is an inherent part of the process. This state of flux makes measurement challenging, as there's no established playbook or universal metrics. Given this complexity, we should embrace diverse measurement approaches as we learn from both successes and failures. 📊 Ultimately, we must remember that sustainable innovation isn't just about individual companies or technologies – it's about systemic change. 🔄 This change occurs at multiple levels: individual, organizational, regulatory, governmental, and institutional. The challenge lies in the fact that our systems can only evolve as quickly as their slowest components. As we continue to innovate for sustainability, we must keep this broader context in mind, striving for solutions that can accelerate change across all levels of our global systems. I'm curious to hear your thoughts. What examples have you seen of sustainable innovation that you believe have had positive systemic impacts? Please share your experiences and insights below! 💬 #ESG #Innovation #SustainableInnovation #Climate

Country leaders are too obsessed with unicorns. Months back, Malaysia said it would invest $211 million, To build their local startup ecosystem. “Capital market needs to be “more lively” for more local unicorns” - Malaysia PM, Anwar. To be clear, this is not an isolated focus. Many other countries like Singapore, Indonesia in the region have had similar goals. As though unicorns alone are the be-all-end-all result. I don’t get it. It could be a poor choice of words... # of unicorns shouldn’t be the ultimate measure of the success of a startup ecosystem. My take: ✳️ There are many more factors that are leading indicators of a healthy ecosystem. Measuring it by the success of a select few unicorns is a flawed approach. The impact is muted and limited to a few successes, but you could still see the ecosystem flounder. This doesn’t only apply to Malaysia, but to other countries as well. Prioritising only unicorn creation can lead to rapid yet unstable growth, rather than long-term viability. Consider these indicators instead: 1️⃣ GDP impact How does the entrepreneurial landscape influence economic growth? 2️⃣ Founder quality Are they innovative, driven, and capable of creating lasting impact? 3️⃣ Talent attraction and retention Is the current ecosystem a hub for skilled professionals who would join startups? 4️⃣ Capital redeployment How effectively is capital being channeled to fuel innovation? 5️⃣ The ecosystem’s entrepreneurial appeal Are aspiring entrepreneurs inspired to take the leap in this ecosystem? 5️⃣ Is there creation of value which are recycled? Are investors being compensated for their risk and are they reinvesting their capital? A few mega-successes alone are not enough to propel local startups. We need to lift and enable founders with ambitions to thrive, Whether or not they turn out to be unicorns. What do you think?

🤝 Networking feels awkward? You’re not alone. If the idea of reaching out to someone for “networking” makes you cringe, you’re not the only one. Many of us associate networking with forced small talk, sales pitches, or feeling like we’re asking for favours. But here’s the truth: Networking doesn’t have to feel transactional. When done right, it’s about building authentic, mutually beneficial connections that can open doors and provide value to both parties. Here’s how to make networking feel natural and effective: 1️⃣ Start with Common Ground When reaching out, mention something you genuinely admire or have in common. This could be their work on a specific project, attending the same school, or even shared connections. 👉 Example: “Hi [Name], I recently read about your work on [specific project], and I found it fascinating! As someone interested in [related topic], I’d love to hear about your approach.” 2️⃣ Shift the Mindset from “Getting” to “Giving” Instead of asking for favours, think about how you can offer value. Sharing helpful insights, articles, or even thoughtful comments on LinkedIn posts can create goodwill and start a genuine conversation. 👉 Example: Commenting on their post: “I really appreciate your take on [topic]. It reminded me of [specific example/experience], and I’m excited to apply this in my own work!” 3️⃣ Ask for Advice, Not Favours People love to share their expertise, and asking for advice shows respect for their knowledge. It’s a low-pressure way to connect while learning something valuable. 👉 Example: “Hi [Name], I’m exploring opportunities in [industry/role], and your career journey is inspiring. Would you be open to a quick chat to share advice on [specific topic]?” 4️⃣ Follow Up with Gratitude Networking doesn’t end after one conversation. Send a thank-you note, share how their advice helped, or engage with their updates online to maintain the connection. 👉 Example: “Thank you for taking the time to chat with me! Your advice on [topic] was so helpful—I’ve already started applying it and am seeing progress. Let’s stay in touch!” 💡 Final Thought: Networking isn’t about collecting connections; it’s about building relationships. Approach each interaction with curiosity, authenticity, and a genuine desire to add value, and you’ll find it feels much less awkward—and a lot more rewarding. How do you make networking feel natural? Let’s share ideas below! 💬👇 #NetworkingTips #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalConnections #JobSearch

Unpopular opinion: Many early-career professionals misunderstand what networking truly means. As a mentor, I love connecting with curious minds - whether it's a coffee chat, career advice, or a usual "pick your brain" conversation. I genuinely enjoy sharing my journey and supporting others as they make their way in the world. But here's the thing: networking isn't just about job leads or referrals. If you're only reaching out when you need a favor, you're not building a network- you’re using a shortcut. Real networking is a two-way street. It’s about meaningful conversations, exchanging ideas, and building lasting relationships. It’s about seeing the person on the other end not as a recruiter, reference, or CV checker - but as a fellow human being with their own time, challenges, and story. So before you hit send on that message, pause for a second. Lead with curiosity, not convenience. You might be surprised how far genuine connection can take you. I've made some amazing personal friends through professional networking and hope to make some more in the future ✨ #networking #communications #mentorship

For the past 7 years, my mission has been to build the Nashville startup ecosystem. I've had a lot of roles along the way. I feel like I've done it all. And I'm still learning through my work with The Lighthouse. The ecosystem changes as the market changes, and I've had to change with it. But after 7 years, I have a really clear point of view on what I think good ecosystem building actually looks like. So I wrote it all down. The biggest lessons. The uncomfortable stuff too. Here's what's in it: 1) You need to run your ecosystem org like a business 2) Pick a niche and get really good at it 3) Whoever pays you is your real customer 4) Your outcomes need to be tied to their outcomes 5) Ecosystems are built by founders, everything else follows 6) Founders need customers before they need capital 7) The most underrated thing you can do: go to work for them 8) Becoming an investor changed everything If you're building a startup ecosystem, work in one, or just want my honest take on how to make Nashville better, this one's for you.