Recognising intellectual property success at the WIPO Global Awards 2025

Innovate UK client Quinas Technology have been awarded a World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Global Award, to celebrate their success in using intellectual property (IP) and innovation to create solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. This marks a significant achievement for the UK, with Quinas Technology being one of the first UK winners.

The WIPO Award acknowledges ten global innovators, recognising their efforts in using IP to strategically scale innovative solutions. The award acknowledges solutions from sectors such as advanced biotechnology, agrifood, digital, and climate technology. Award winners receive a package of benefits including international promotion for their innovations, access to the WIPO network, and additional resources to manage their IP.

Driving efficiency in computer memory technology

Quinas Technology is reshaping the future of computer memory with its patented ULTRARAM™ technology. It combines the best qualities of the two main types of computer memory, flash and DRAM, providing a memory that not only retains information when turned off, but also stores it extremely quickly. It achieves this using a quantum-mechanical process called resonant tunnelling, which enables fast, efficient data storage in a way scientists thought impossible until now. Quinas’ core innovations are protected by a strong portfolio of patents covering materials science, device structure, and semiconductor integration.

Innovate UK Business Growth began working with Quinas Technology, a spinout from Lancaster University, in March 2023, shortly after its incorporation. Innovation & Growth Specialist Hardeep Samra worked with the company to develop an action plan focused on IP strategy and global protection, investment readiness, international market access, and support engaging with public sector innovation.

Participation with the Global Business Innovation programme (GBIP) Semiconductors, Taiwan programme enabled Quinas to build connections with the UK Intellectual Property Office in Wales and trusted IP experts, resulting in a practical plan directly aligned to their strategic goals. These actions led to an application for a funded Patent Audit and review through Innovate UK. As a result, Quinas was able to prioritise target markets, refine technical claims for value capture and future licensing, and identify and mitigate key IP risks. This process positioned the company strongly with investors and partners, showcasing a defensible, high-value innovation stack.

As a result of Innovate UK Business Growth’s support, Quinas Technology has raised £2m in grants and early-stage soft investment, created 3 new jobs, and secured patents in the UK, US, Japan, China, and South Korea.

Innovate UK Business Growth provided outstanding support at each stage — from refining our pitch, navigating global IP, to helping us identify strategic investors and global programmes. Their guidance was instrumental in helping us win the WIPO award and expand globally.

James Ashforth-Pook, Co-Founder & CEO, Quinas Technology

Supporting business needs around innovation strategy and intellectual property

Innovate UK Business Growth supports innovative UK SMEs to accelerate growth by providing 1-1, tailored support in priority areas such as funding and finance, internationalising innovation through collaboration and innovation strategy including IP. In addition to advice, we help clients to access resources in the innovation ecosystem.