Stronger institutional capacity can help firms turn ideas into competitive advantage, according to a new ITC report outlining how business support organizations can provide initial advice on recognizing and using intangible assets.
In today’s hyper‑connected global economy, even the smallest firm can reach customers across continents. Digital platforms have lowered barriers to entry, enabling microenterprises to trade internationally with unprecedented ease.
But this openness has also intensified competition. Innovation has become the primary differentiator – and the ability to protect and commercialize that innovation is now central to business success.
It is against this backdrop that intellectual property (IP) has emerged as a strategic asset. Yet most small and medium‑sized enterprises still struggle to engage with the IP system. Many lack awareness of what IP they hold, perceive registration as costly or complex, or have limited access to practical guidance. This gap is particularly acute in developing and transition economies, where support structures are uneven.
A new joint publication by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) aims to change that. Business Support Organizations Guide to Harnessing Intellectual Property for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth sets out a roadmap to empower business support organizations (BSOs) to help firms identify, protect, and leverage their intangible assets. The guide reframes IP as a practical business tool for competitiveness rather than a legal exercise.
The publication argues that BSOs – from chambers of commerce to export promotion agencies – are uniquely placed to provide initial IP guidance. As frontline advisers, they can help firms understand how IP fits into their business models, risk‑management strategies, and market ambitions. But to do so effectively, BSOs need stronger institutional capacity and clearer operational frameworks.
To support this, the guide offers both strategic and practical direction. It outlines how IP considerations influence organizational choices around sector focus, partnerships, and service design. It also provides frontline staff with accessible explanations of core IP concepts and step‑by‑step advice for working with companies.
Diagnostic tool clarifies value
A central feature is the introduction of WIPO IP Diagnostics tool – an online self‑assessment that helps businesses map their potential IP assets and understand how those assets can support commercial goals. The tool generates tailored reports that BSOs can use as a basis for discussion, enabling more targeted and informed support.
‘This guide helps organizations integrate intellectual property into their offerings in a practical and proportionate way,’ says ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton. ‘Ultimately, it aims to strengthen first-level guidance for firms, helping them harness innovation, manage risk, and build a competitive advantage in pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth.’
The publication also highlights a suite of WIPO resources – from guides on patents, trademarks, and industrial designs to materials tailored for start-ups and creative industries. All are available in United Nations languages and can be adapted to national contexts, allowing BSOs to integrate local legislation and procedures.
By consolidating these tools and framing them through a BSO lens, the ITC–WIPO guide aims to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem as a whole. Its message is clear: better-equipped BSOs can help firms turn their ideas into value, with benefits extending beyond individual businesses to sectors, economies, and the broader pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth.