Founded by IPAN Director, Dr Bola Olabisi FRSA, the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network (GlobalWIIN) is a unique group founded to support entrepreneurial women making worldwide impact. It celebrated its 25th anniversary at the prestigious Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre in Reykjavik, Iceland on 6-7 September 2023. The event’s inspiring motto ‘WOMEN4SOLUTIONS & SUSTAINABILITY’ embraces a multifaceted approach which included a conference, study visits and a gala awards ceremony.
Fellow IPAN Directors Professor Emerita Ruth Soetendorp and Nottingham Law School’s Associate Professor Janice Denoncourt were members of the international judging panel chaired by Mark Sheehan, President of the UK Inventors & Patentees Association (IPI) and British Library Inventor in Residence. Ahead of the event, Ruth, Janice and fellow judges were involved in intense assessment of over 50 applications before selecting the final award winners.
Ms Elinora Inga Sigurdardottir FRSA, Vice President of the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations-IFIA, President of the European arm of GlobalWIIN (EUWIIN), and Chair of KVENN in Iceland, launched the event.
GlobalWIIN 2023 featured an impressive line-up honorary speakers. A highlight was the virtual presence of HE Eliza Jean Reid, the First Lady of Iceland. Her Excellency was joined by Ms Bryony Mathew, British Ambassador to Iceland, representing the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Reykjavík, and Ms Carrin F Patman, US Ambassador in Iceland. These eminent women emphasized the significance of innovation, creativity, and the pivotal role of women inventors and entrepreneurs in global leadership and sustainable development.
Associate Professor Denoncourt spoke on ‘Unlocking the Power of Your Intangible Intellectual Property Assets’. The link to her talk aimed at inventor entrepreneurs can be found on the GlobalWIIN YouTube Channel here.
The programme included a series of opportunities for the entrants to ‘pitch’ their inventions to potential investors Dragon’s Den style which was an excellent new addition to the GlobalWIIN conference programme.
Three esteemed male guests addressed the gathering: Andri Heiðar Kristinsson from Digital Iceland, Chief Dele Momddu, Chairman of Ovation International Nigeria, and Masoud Shafaghi Strategic Planning Officer from the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations-IFIA. These organizations have been instrumental in bridging diverse communities and promoting women’s participation in addressing global challenges.
The 15th Anniversary event continued with two days of informative and scientific panels. The first panel covered: ‘Raising Awareness of Intellectual Property (IP)’, ‘A Discussion on Marketing and the Raising of Capital’, and ‘Vibrant Journeys in Women’s Shoes’, where successful women shared their insights and experiences. On the second day, participants enjoyed scientific visits to two renowned Icelandic establishments: the Geothermal Energy Exhibition, showcasing Iceland’s remarkable geothermal energy infrastructure, which plays a pivotal role in sustainable development and the unique LAVA SHOW, a world first, which educates visitors about volcanic eruptions in a safe environment.
The grand finale of GlobalWIIN 2023 took place at GAMLA BÍÓ where winners received their awards. Dr Denoncourt awarded the Intellectual Property Awareness Network (IPAN) Intellectual Property Gold Award to Unnur Valdis Kristjabsdottir for her invention and design of the Flothetta® float cap which is patented and trade mark protected in Iceland. The Flothetta® float cap is an innovative water wellness therapy accessory product, designed to support a deep and relaxing water experience and supports independent floating in any water to relax, reduce muscle and skeleton stress and promote emotional and mental overall body-spirit connection.
The event concluded with the presentation of awards in various categories, celebrating the outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations in innovation. Nottingham Law School’s IP Research Group is delighted to support GlobalWIIN. GlobalWIIN’s 25th-anniversary celebration was a testament to the remarkable contributions of women in the world of innovation and their essential role in driving sustainable global development.
For more information about GlobalWIIN and its initiatives, please visit https://globalwiin.com.
