BIP Asia Forum 2026 - Explore How IP can Power Commercial Success

From financing and sports to artificial intelligence and global expansion, intellectual property is increasingly shaping how businesses innovate, compete and grow. The 16th Business of IP Asia Forum will bring these issues into focus on 19 and 20 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where business leaders, policymakers, investors and IP professionals will examine how ideas and intangible assets can be transformed into drivers of commercial success and sustainable growth.

Jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Forum will be held under the theme “Powering Commercial Success through IP and Innovation”. Through a diverse programme comprising plenary sessions, thematic discussions, practical workshops, business matching, training programmes and exhibition showcases, the Forum will provide participants with valuable insights into protecting, managing, commercialising and leveraging intellectual property to drive business growth.

A central theme is the growing role of IP in financing. As patents, brands, designs and other intangible assets become increasingly important drivers of business value, companies are exploring ways to unlock their financing potential. The Plenary Session I, “From Sandbox to Scale: Unlocking the Next Phase of IP Financing”, will bring together perspectives from government, finance, valuation and business to discuss the next stage of IP financing development.

Moderated by Prof Kenny Wong, Chairman of the IP Committee of The Law Society of Hong Kong, the discussion will feature Mr Adam Williams, Chief Executive and Comptroller General of the UK Intellectual Property Office; Mr Ashish McLaren, Managing Director and Southeast Asia Leader, Valuation Advisory Services at Kroll; Ms Anita Ou,  Managing Director, Head of Enterprise Banking, Commercial Banking, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited; Ms Ying-ying Cheng, Head (Banking Supervision) at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority; and Mr Ammar Akhtar, Founder and CEO of Final Rentals.

Discussions will focus on advancing IP financing beyond pilot initiatives, including the development of credible valuation frameworks, improving access to capital and strengthening Hong Kong's position as a Regional IP Trading and Financing Hub. The session also reflects Hong Kong's efforts to develop a "Finance + IP" ecosystem, enabling enterprises to unlock the value of intangible assets and accelerate innovation commercialisation.

Complementing the Forum's focus on IP financing, sessions on IP valuation and investment will examine how intangible assets can be assessed, managed and monetised. “IP Valuation 101” and “Strategic IP Investment: From Innovation to Monetisation” will offer practical perspectives on transforming innovation into commercial value.

Broadening the scope of the IP value, the Forum will examine the commercialisation potential of sports IP. Plenary Session II, “Reinventing Sports: Unlocking IP Value Inside and Beyond the Stadium”, will explore how innovation, branding and technology are transforming sport into a broader commercial ecosystem. Discussions will highlight how IP is driving value creation through merchandise, technology, media content, fan engagement and athlete-led brands.

Moderated by Mr Michael Lin, Board Member and President of the International IP Commercialization Council, the session will feature Mr Filipe Gonçalves, Chairman of Asia Partners Holdings Corporation Limited; Mr Tom Cheng, General Manager of Solutions and Services Group (HK) at Lenovo; Mr Agustin Rozadas, Co-Founder & CEO, OLIVER Sports; Mr Phillip King, CEO and Founder of VARCIS Group; and Mr Kenny Oktavius, Co-Founder and CEO of PointFit Technology Limited. Their discussion will explore how organisations across the sports ecosystem can leverage IP to support innovation, strengthen competitiveness and develop new revenue streams.

The intersection of technology, creativity and intellectual property extends well beyond the sports industry. Reflecting the growing influence of innovation across sectors, the Forum's dedicated “Tech Chapter” will explore a broad spectrum of topics, from strategic investment and valuation in intangible assets to the evolving role of IP in the world of play. The programme also features IPHatch Asia and a technology demonstration session, highlighting pathways from innovation to commercialisation and showcasing how IP can support business growth in an increasingly digital economy.

Supporting the growing trend of Chinese Mainland enterprises expanding internationally, the programme features sessions including the IP Go-Global Business Matching Session and “IP Protection & Global Commerce in the Greater Bay Area”. These sessions will explore how robust IP strategies, professional services and cross-border collaboration can support overseas expansion, while highlighting Hong Kong's role as a gateway connecting Chinese Mainland enterprises with global markets and opportunities.

Adding a new dimension this year, the new GoGlobal Connect Zone in the Innovation and IP Market will serve as a dedicated platform connecting professional service providers and market-entry specialists.The Zone will offer practical support on overseas market entry, regulatory compliance, IP management and business development, helping companies navigate international expansion through Hong Kong's extensive professional services network.

Complementing these market-entry services, the Innovation and IP Market in the exhibition area will showcase cutting-edge technologies and research breakthroughs from leading universities and research institutes. Participants will be able to explore how ideas can be developed into commercially viable solutions, while engaging with experts in IP, legal, financing and business advisory services who support the innovation journey from protection and management to commercialisation and market adoption.

The event will also offer practical learning for participants looking to strengthen their knowledge of IP. The IP101 course will cover areas including IP fundamentals, e-commerce, copyright and designs, trade marks, patents, trade secrets and IP trading. 

By bringing together finance, technology, sport, creative industries and international business, BIP Asia Forum 2026 positions IP not only as a protective tool, but as a strategic asset driving innovation, investment and international business. The Forum's focus on IP financing, technology commercialisation and global expansion reflects Hong Kong's drive to strengthen its position as an International Innovation and Technology Centre, regional IP Trading Hub and gateway for enterprises pursuing global opportunities.