On October 12 local time, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) presented its inaugural "City of Innovation" award in Geneva, Switzerland. Shanghai (China) was among the first three winners to receive the honor. As Shanghai continues to strengthen its position as an international science and technology innovation center and an international intellectual property (IP) center, it is also fostering a diverse and dynamic innovation ecosystem. From making innovation infrastructure more accessible to strengthening IP protection, utilization and services and attracting global talent, Shanghai has introduced a broad range of initiatives closely aligned with its overall development strategy. By fostering closer collaboration across the innovation chain, the city is turning its vision for innovation into reality.

Pioneering: Turning firsts into a broader innovation movement

Shanghai is advancing cutting-edge science and technology while continuing to develop its pioneering zone for basic research. Along the Huangpu River, major breakthroughs have been made in quantum computing, brain-computer interfaces, controlled nuclear fusion, cell and gene therapies, and embodied intelligence. Many are among the first of their kind globally or in China, and some are approaching commercialization. Together, they are laying a solid foundation for Shanghai to become a world-leading hub for future industries.

Zhu Xueyan, deputy director of the Shanghai Institute for Science of Science, noted that basic research accounted for about 12% of Shanghai's R&D expenditure in 2025, up from 7.94% in 2020. Government investment in science and technology has grown by an average of 23.7% annually over the past three years, and long-term investment is now beginning to pay off. "Shanghai's innovation model starts with the end in mind. The city mobilizes the entire innovation chain: businesses pose questions, scientists find answers, investors provide capital, and specialized platforms offer support. Together, they unlock the potential of innovation from zero to one," Zhu said.

The world's first AI-powered cell-free protein manufacturing platform in Shanghai

Ecosystem: Creating an ideal city for innovators and entrepreneurs

According to the report Ideal Cities 2026: Global Innovation Hubs Through the Eyes of Scientists and Innovators, 28.1% of respondents said they would consider moving to Shanghai in the future, making it the Chinese city most favored by scientists and innovators worldwide.

What makes a city reliable for innovators? Shanghai is helping startup incubators and accelerators validate technologies and develop business models, bringing services, technology and capital closer together. The city is also working to align financial innovation with advances in science and technology. Its future-industry funds are being steered toward early-stage ventures, smaller companies and hard technology, while comprehensive pilot programs in IP finance are helping create new pools of funding for innovation. Seven institutions have been selected for Shanghai's first batch of IP finance innovation labs, and new financial products developed by institutions including Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank are already in operation.

The iconic Zhangjiang Science Gate Towers in Shanghai

Enabling: Institutional innovation paves the way

In early 2026, Shanghai Biren Technology Co., Ltd. successfully advanced its bid to become the first GPU company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. For Qian Hui, the company's IP director, the period was a reminder of how closely the timing of securing IP rights can be tied to a company's ability to develop independent, controllable technologies. Support from the Shanghai Intellectual Property Protection Center proved crucial. Through its batch patent pre-examination services, 206 requests for patent pre-examination submitted by Biren Technology received coordinated review. Of these, 199 were granted patents through pre-examination, helping the company establish a stable technological foundation. The center continues to refine its patent pre-examination and preliminary review services and bring guidance on filing procedures, patent searches and other support directly to companies in 40 key industrial parks, helping pave the way for critical innovations.

Shanghai is also establishing an IP registration system for data products, piloting neutral IP assessments and improving multi-channel IP dispute resolution. Meanwhile, it is supporting national-level IP operation and service platforms in expanding end-to-end patent transaction services, from information exchange and matchmaking to transaction verification and fund settlement. These institutional innovations are helping ideas move from the lab to the marketplace faster.

Biren Technology's independently developed chips

Globalization: Bringing green innovation from Shanghai to the world

Shanghai is actively responding to global sustainable development initiatives and deepening collaboration with WIPO GREEN to advance green innovation and transformation through IP. According to Xi Furong, head of the Green Technology Development Division at the Shanghai Science and Technology Exchange Center, the city has recommended 23 high-quality green technologies for inclusion in the WIPO GREEN database through initiatives such as green technology innovation challenges, the development of low-carbon patent pools and green finance programs. Five of these achievements have already been deployed, including mobile charging robots for autonomous vehicles and advanced lighting systems for plant factories. Shanghai is also building a global platform to showcase and trade green technologies, while developing new application scenarios in areas such as climate change, intelligent disease prevention and control, and urban safety. "China's green commitments are accelerating green action worldwide," Xi Furong said.

WIPO GREEN project "Shanghai: Plasma Technology Revitalizes Urban Waterways"

Connecting: Bringing global minds together in Shanghai

Years of sustained effort have enabled Shanghai to build an interconnected network of platforms for international IP talent development, policy dialogue and dispute resolution. The Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property has trained more than 900 professionals from over 60 countries and regions, extending Shanghai's expertise to the world. Major international forums, including the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, the World Laureates Forum and the Shanghai International Intellectual Property Forum, have also established a presence in the city, facilitating global exchanges of ideas, resources and cooperation. The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Shanghai Service draws on WIPO's international expertise in dispute resolution. Since beginning operation in 2020, it has administered more than 200 cases, with a settlement rate of 50%.

"These high-level platforms are not simply a collection of isolated projects. They are deeply integrated into Shanghai's overall plans to become an international science and technology innovation center and a leading city for IP development. They enable two-way exchange: adapting international rules and experience to local needs while sharing local practices globally. This aligns with WIPO's 'City of Innovation' award vision of integrating a city's goals into existing development plans," said Ma Zhongfa, director of Fudan University's Center for Intellectual Property Study.

Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property