Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO)

What Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) does

AIPO is the intellectual property office of Ateneo de Manila University, established around 2018–2019 and based in Quezon City, Philippines. It operates as an integrated hub combining three institutional functions: an Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO), a Knowledge Technology Transfer Office (KTTO), and a Technology Business Incubator (TBI). Its core offerings span IP protection services (invention disclosure, trademark and copyright registration, IP licensing, IP enforcement), a startup incubation program branded as Ateneo Blue Nest (offering co-working space, mentorship, investor matching, and a Digital Marketing Accelerator and Lab-in-a-Box program), and a suite of workshops covering design thinking, IP basics, patent searching and drafting, and game-based learning (ELITE). The office is staffed by a lean team of approximately seven professionals and serves university students, faculty, researchers, and startups internally, while also extending services to MSMEs, corporate clients, and other academic institutions nationally.

AIPO does not build proprietary technology products; instead its underlying capability is a packaged service delivery model anchored in certified human expertise (e.g., staff certified in Design Thinking Facilitation by DesignThinkers Academy in Amsterdam) and Ateneo-embedded access to faculty, scientists, alumni, and students. Technology transfer is demonstrated through licensed utility models such as a Wireless Sensor Network and a Device for Remote Water Quality Monitoring, commercialized via licensing with EnviSense Scientific, Inc. The office holds an Ateneo IP Policy governing ownership, copyright, patents, trademarks, and undisclosed information, which constitutes the institutional framework underpinning its services.

Its business model is a blend of institutional funding from Ateneo de Manila University, government grants (notably DOST-PCIEERD Grants-in-Aid for the IMPACT-NXT Project), ad-hoc program and workshop fees from corporate clients (e.g., Sterling Bank of Asia, Samsung R&D Institute Philippines, Eight8Ate Holdings), and government partnership programs (DOST-NCR for MSME IP awareness). The go-to-market is community-led: direct on-campus delivery, partnership-driven national reach, and periodic events such as IP Week and the IP Boost Camp in collaboration with IPOPHL-IP Academy. AIPO has accumulated five consecutive IPOPHL Platinum Awards, the 2024 Startup Ecosystem Stars Award from ICC and Mind the Bridge, and a global DTA certification, signaling recognized authority in the Philippine university IP and innovation ecosystem.

Name

Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO)

Legal name

Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO)

Website

https://aipo.ateneo.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AIPO is the intellectual property office of Ateneo de Manila University, combining ITSO, KTTO, and TBI functions to deliver IP protection, startup incubation (Ateneo Blue Nest), and design thinking workshops to students, faculty, researchers, startups, MSMEs, and corporate clients across the Philippines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Quezon City, National Capital Region

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government and Institutional Funding: AIPO operates as a university office funded through Ateneo de Manila University, government grants from DOST-PCIEERD, and program fees for workshops and services.
2. Grant Funding (DOST-PCIEERD): The IMPACT-NXT Project is funded by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) as part of their Grants-in-Aid program.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AIPO delivers intellectual property protection services (invention disclosure, trademark and copyright registration, IP licensing, IP enforcement), educational workshops (design thinking, patent search and drafting, IP awareness), and startup incubation through its Ateneo Blue Nest program (co-working spaces, mentoring, business registration support, investor matching). It serves students, faculty, researchers, startups, and entrepreneurs both within Ateneo de Manila University and externally. The office consolidates ITSO, KTTO, and TBI functions to support the full innovation lifecycle from ideation through commercialization.

Product overview

The Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) offers a comprehensive suite of innovation support services as an integrated hub combining the functions of an Innovation & Technology Support Office (ITSO), Knowledge Technology Transfer Office (KTTO), and Technology Business Incubator (TBI). The portfolio includes IP protection services (invention disclosure, trademark registration, copyright registration, IP licensing, IP enforcement), education and capacity-building programs (design thinking workshops, patent searching and drafting workshops, IP awareness sessions), and startup incubation services (Ateneo Blue Nest, Digital Marketing Accelerator, SPRINT-STEP, Lab-in-a-Box). These services support students, faculty, researchers, startups, and entrepreneurs in protecting, developing, and commercializing their innovations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ateneo Blue Nest: AIPO's technology business incubator that provides startup incubation services including mentoring, networking, business registration support, fund-source linking, investor matching, and office space within Ateneo campus.

Products and services

• Invention Disclosure Guides inventors through documenting and submitting their inventions for potential patent protection, including conducting IP searches and managing the registration process. Targeted at Ateneo students, faculty, researchers, and external inventors.
• Trademark Registration Assistance with registering trademarks to protect brand identity, names, slogans, and logos used to identify goods or services. Targeted at startups, MSMEs, and university constituents.
• Copyright Registration Support for registering original works of authorship including literature, artistic creation, software, and digital content under copyright law. Targeted at creators, researchers, and content developers.
• IP Licensing Services facilitating the licensing of intellectual property rights, enabling technology transfer and commercialization of innovations. Targeted at inventors, startups, and licensees seeking to commercialize IP.
• IP Enforcement Strategies and support to deter infringement and respond swiftly to unauthorized use or infringement of IP rights. Targeted at IP owners needing to defend their rights.
• Design Thinking Workshops Human-centered design methodology workshops teaching empathy, ideation, and prototyping to address complex challenges, facilitated by DTA-certified instructors. Targeted at corporate teams, university constituents, and innovation programs.
• IP Basics, Patent Search & Drafting Workshops Hands-on workshops teaching participants how to conduct patent searches and draft patent applications to protect innovations. Targeted at inventors, R&D staff, and university researchers.
• Ateneo Blue Nest (Technology Business Incubator) University-based startup incubator providing co-working spaces, mentorship, funding opportunities, business registration support, and access to university resources and intellectual talent. Targeted at startups both within and outside Ateneo.
• Digital Marketing Accelerator Program Accelerator program within Ateneo Blue Nest focused on digital marketing capabilities for startups. Targeted at incubated startups seeking growth marketing skills.
• ELITE - Game Based Learning Workshops Workshop series utilizing game-based learning methodologies for skill development and innovation training. Targeted at startups, students, and innovation program participants.
• SPRINT-STEP Innovation and entrepreneurship support program for startups and innovators. Targeted at early-stage startups and student innovators.
• Lab-in-a-Box Program providing laboratory resources and support for innovation activities. Targeted at innovators needing lab access for prototyping and experimentation.
• IP Boost Camp Annual intensive IP training program in partnership with IPOPHL-IP Academy covering trademarks, patents, utility models, industrial design, copyright, and related rights. Targeted at undergraduate and law students from across the Philippines.
• IMPACT-NXT Project (Tech-Transfer Competency Assessment) National program establishing a Philippine-specific Tech-Transfer Competency Framework and Training Needs Assessment to strengthen institutional technology transfer capabilities. Targeted at technology transfer offices across Philippine universities and R&D institutions.
• Ideation Support Support services for generating and refining innovative ideas and concepts through structured ideation processes. Targeted at students, faculty, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5 Platinum Awards received from IPOPHL demonstrating consistent excellence in IP management
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sterling Bank of AsiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 July 2026Corporate partnership for Design Thinking Workshop held at Sterling Bank's Head Office in San Juan City. 25 participants from across the bank's business units participated in human-centered problem-solving workshop complementing the bank's digital transformation initiatives.
• IPOPHL-IP AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2026Partnership for the 7th IP Boost Camp 2026 hosted at Ateneo de Manila University. 60 undergraduate and law students from across the Philippines attended the five-day training program covering trademarks, patents, utility models, industrial design, copyright, and related rights.
• Caraga State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Collaborating institution in the IMPACT-NXT Project funded by DOST-PCIEERD. The project aims to establish a Philippine-specific Tech-Transfer Competency Framework and Training Needs Assessment to strengthen institutional technology transfer capabilities across the country.
• Samsung R&D Institute PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 August 2025Partnership to strengthen innovation and intellectual property capabilities. AIPO conducted Patent Searching and Drafting Workshop for Samsung R&D staff to enhance their IP skills and understanding.
• Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2024IPOPHL is the governing body on IP in the Philippines. AIPO operates as an Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) under IPOPHL's ITSO 2.0 Clustering Program, receiving recognition and support for excellence in IP protection and innovation services.
• DesignThinkers Academy (DTA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 October 2024Global certification partner for Design Thinking Facilitation. AIPO staff completed intensive certification workshop at DTA Headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands. DTA has offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong SAR, Jordan, London, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, UAE, and USA.
• DOST-NCR (Department of Science and Technology - National Capital Region)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 June 2024Collaboration with DOST-NCR and its Clustered Area Science and Technology Offices (CASTOs) to conduct IP awareness sessions for technical staff supporting SETUP-assisted MSMEs. AIPO's Protection and Education Group delivers training on IP system overview, types of IP protection, and best practices for MSMEs.
• New Energy Nexus Philippines (NexPH)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 May 2024AIPO's Protection and Education Group conducted IP Learning Session at NexPH's Startup Acceleration Program Cohort 5 Kickoff Event in Makati City, attended by almost 40 participants. Part of ongoing collaboration to equip startups with IP knowledge.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• NUS Industry Liaison Office (NUS ILO): National University of Singapore's technology transfer office managing IP commercialization, licensing, and startup incubation from NUS research. Comparable as a top-tier Asian university TTO with international recognition, though serving a more research-intensive environment.
• HKUST R&D Office (Technology Transfer): Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's technology transfer function handling patenting, licensing, and startup formation from HKUST research. Comparable as an Asian university TTO with similar scope of IP services and incubation support.

Direct peers

• QBO Innovation Hub: A Philippine startup hub and accelerator operated by IdeaSpace and J.P. Morgan, providing mentorship, investor matching, and co-working space to Filipino startups. Comparable to Ateneo Blue Nest as a Philippine startup support hub, with broader external (non-university) focus.
• UP System Technology Transfer and Business Development Office: The University of the Philippines' technology transfer and business development unit, providing IP protection, licensing, and incubation services to UP's research community. Direct counterpart to AIPO within the Philippine state university system, serving a similar faculty/researcher/startup constituency.
• IdeaSpace Foundation: A Philippine startup accelerator and incubator backed by major conglomerates, running bootcamps, incubation programs, and equity-free funding. Overlaps with AIPO's Ateneo Blue Nest on startup incubation services in the Philippine market.
• De La Salle University Animo Labs: DLSU's technology business incubator providing startup incubation, mentoring, and IP support to DLSU students, faculty, and external startups. Direct competitor to Ateneo Blue Nest in the Philippine private-university incubation space.
• Impact Hub Manila: A Philippine co-working and innovation hub providing workspace, incubation, and impact-focused programming for startups. Competes with Ateneo Blue Nest for Manila-based early-stage startups seeking physical workspace and mentoring.
• Mapua University Innovation Center: Mapua University's innovation and technology transfer unit, offering IP services, design thinking workshops, and startup incubation. Another Philippine ITSO member with similar IPOPHL Platinum ambitions and comparable service portfolio.
• DOST-TAPI (Technology Application and Promotion Institute): The Philippine government agency under DOST responsible for technology transfer, IP commercialization, and inventor support. Comparable to AIPO because both serve Filipino inventors and researchers moving from invention to commercialization, with TAPI operating at national scale and AIPO at university scale.

Broad incumbents

• A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research): Singapore's government R&D agency operating technology transfer, IP commercialization, and incubation across national research institutes. A broader incumbent comparable to AIPO at much larger scale, with established licensing revenue streams.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AteneoIPO
• Facebookfacebook.com/AteneoIPO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ateneoipo
• Instagraminstagram.com/ateneoipo
• TikToktiktok.com/@ateneoipo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO)