In the global top 100 innovation clusters ranking of the 2025 Global Innovation Index Report recently released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the "Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou" innovation cluster secured the first place for the first time. Behind this breakthrough lies the synergetic development driven by three core pillars: intellectual property (IP) creation, protection, and application. From tackling core technologies to safeguarding overseas rights and interests, and further to transforming innovative achievements, these three main lines interweave, enabling IP to truly become a link driving the innovative development of the regional economy and continuously fostering the growth of new quality productive forces. Recently, as a member of the press tour for the State Intellectual Property Office's (SIPO) local press conference series (focused on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, GBA), the reporter delved into the secrets behind the region's thriving innovation vitality.

Innovation Moves Toward Higher-End Segments

The cluster's ascent to the top of the global innovation rankings is inseparable from the in-depth accumulation of industrial innovation strength.

Chips and embodied intelligence are typical technology-intensive industries, and also highly sought-after fields in the global development of emerging industries. In this global industrial race, Guangdong-based enterprises are striving to take the lead through technological innovation.

Various chips are displayed in the showcase of the digital exhibition hall of Chipsea Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Chipsea Technology). "Don't underestimate this small analog-to-digital converter (ADC) chip—it can convert physical world information such as temperature and pressure into a 'language' that computers can 'understand'. Only then can computers analyze the information and issue control instructions," introduced Ke Chunlei, Vice President of Chipsea Technology, holding a chip in his hand.

"In 2007, Chipsea Technology launched the first domestic high-precision ADC chip, and independently developed an 8-bit microcontroller (MCU) core in 2008. We have been deeply engaged in the 'ADC+MCU' dual-technology platform for more than 20 years. The profound accumulation of analog-digital hybrid integrated circuit technology has made our chips smaller in size, more functional, and more powerful," Ke Chunlei said with pride. The reporter looked at the patent wall behind Ke Chunlei—dense patent certificates witnessed the innovation trajectory of this enterprise over more than 20 years since its establishment.

This innovation logic of "laying a technical foundation to drive product breakthroughs" has also been verified in the practice of RoboSense (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as RoboSense).

Once, there was a saying in the lidar industry that "one wire costs 10,000 yuan". A single lidar requires at least dozens of transmission and reception lines, which means a unit price of nearly one million yuan. "The significance of innovation is to make technology more inclusive," said Xie Xing, Assistant to the Chairman and Head of the Planning Department of RoboSense. To this end, RoboSense has conducted long-term research on lidar technology.

"The product we developed has achieved performance of up to 1080 channels and a maximum detection range of 600 meters. Today, one out of every two vehicles equipped with lidar on the market uses our technology," Xie Xing introduced.

Lidar is the "eyes" of automobiles, and RoboSense also focuses on the R&D of "eyes" products for robots. Benefiting from its technical accumulation in lidar, RoboSense has taken a leading position in the wave of the embodied intelligence industry. "Currently, RoboSense has laid out more than 1,900 patent families in major global markets. The profound technical accumulation gives us the determination and confidence to become a leader in the robot 'eyes' industry," Xie Xing said.

Enterprises Gain Confidence for Overseas Expansion

Guangdong is not only a "window" for China's reform and opening-up but also a "port" for enterprises to set sail overseas.

Shenzhen Carcool Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Carcool) has focused on the niche market of automotive emergency start power supplies. Relying on technological innovation to build strong product strength, it has achieved rapid development in the global market. "However, the process of enterprises' overseas expansion is never smooth," said Lei Yun, Chairman of Carcool. A foreign enterprise initiated multiple patent infringement lawsuits against Carcool, all of which ended with Carcool winning the final judgment.

"The overseas IP dispute monitoring work of the Shenzhen Intellectual Property Protection Center has won valuable 'time windows' for us to respond to overseas IP disputes," Lei Yun said. The center also organizes professionals to provide public welfare guidance for involved enterprises, enhancing their ability to respond to IP disputes during overseas expansion.

Beyond providing a sense of security for innovative enterprises going global, efforts are also made to prevent IP risks in advance. A relevant person in charge of the Shenzhen Intellectual Property Protection Center introduced: "Focusing on key industries such as artificial intelligence, new energy, and new materials, the center conducts overseas IP risk assessments, searches and analyzes core export technologies, and helps enterprises improve their overseas IP layouts. Meanwhile, we have improved the early warning mechanism for high-frequency overseas plaintiffs, launched secondary warnings for key plaintiffs, analyzed the latest IP layouts and litigation trends of overseas plaintiffs, and provided targeted response plans for industries and enterprises, establishing a 'pre-event' risk early warning and prevention system."

In recent years, Guangdong has continuously strengthened guidance on responding to overseas IP disputes, establishing 8 local branches of overseas IP dispute response guidance centers and 1 overseas branch in Russia, as well as an expert database for foreign-related IP protection with nearly 300 experts. IP protection has provided sufficient confidence for enterprises to "go global".

Patented Technologies Hit the "Shelves"

The value of IP lies in application, and its vitality lies in transformation. This year's Global Innovation Index has included "venture capital transaction volume" in the evaluation indicators of the global top 100 innovation clusters for the first time, fully indicating that the attractiveness of patented technologies to capital has become an important manifestation of cluster innovation strength.

"Universities are 'rich mines' of patented technologies, but how to excavate these innovative 'treasures' and put them on the 'shelves' is a difficulty in the transformation and application of patents," admitted Li Yixi, Director of the Industry-University-Research Cooperation Department of the Office of Science Research, Sun Yat-sen University.

"You can scan this QR code," Li Yixi said, taking out a QR code. After scanning it, the reporter entered the "Sun Yat-sen University Patent Open Licensing" information platform.

"This platform is the main channel for Sun Yat-sen University to release patent open licensing information. It classifies patented technologies by fields such as biomedicine, chemical materials, and high-end equipment manufacturing. Enterprises can complete the entire process online, including releasing patent open licensing information, rapid selection by enterprises, transaction announcement, and contract signing, enabling enterprises in need to quickly obtain the required patent licenses," Li Yixi introduced.

In the "Achievement Supermarket" of the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as SIAT), a lively "technology treasure hunt" is underway. "By scanning this technology card, you can view all information about this biomedicine patent, including technical innovation points, application scenarios, and maturity," introduced Zhang Songlan, Deputy Director of the Cooperation and Transformation Department of SIAT.

The shelves of the "Achievement Supermarket" are densely covered with technical cards of scientific discoveries and transformed/under-transformation technologies, classified by different technical fields. "After selecting a desired technology, enterprises can take the technical card away. This form allows enterprises to understand technical content at any time and builds a bridge for further communication and negotiation between enterprises and research teams," Zhang Songlan said.

From "online matching" to "technology treasure hunts", the forms of patent transformation and application have become increasingly diverse with remarkable results. The continuous increase in the activity of both supply and demand sides of technology will surely spark more "sparks", transforming patented technologies into "development momentum" with capital support and providing a steady stream of vitality for the innovative development of the cluster.