KIWIE 2026 Celebrates Women-Led Innovation
KIWIE 2026: Women Inventors Take the Stage in Seoul
KIWIE 2026 brought women inventors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovation leaders together in Seoul. The Korea International Women’s Invention Exposition ran from July 16 to 18, 2026. Its venue was The Platz Hall at COEX, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Over three days, participants shared inventions and explored new ideas. They also exchanged knowledge about intellectual property and built links across borders. Together, these activities highlighted women’s contributions to technology, business, and society.
The Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP) hosted the event. Meanwhile, the Korea Women Inventors Association (KWIA) organized the program.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) supported the event. The International Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) also provided support.
KIWIE 2026 Participation: 591 Inventions
The Korea International Women’s Invention Competition featured 591 inventions in 2026. Of these, 137 came from Korea and 454 came from 20 countries. In addition, the exhibition brought together 53 Korean companies.
Participants came from Azerbaijan, China, Croatia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Kuwait, Mongolia, and New Zealand. Other participants represented Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
By comparison, KIWIE 2025 featured 445 inventions from 16 countries. That total included 133 Korean inventions and 312 international entries. The rise to 591 inventions therefore showed strong growth, especially in international participation.
As a result, more women inventors could share their work on a global stage. They could also exchange expertise and make new professional contacts.
From Exhibition to Intellectual Property Education
KIWIE 2026 offered more than an exhibition and competition. Its program included an opening ceremony, invention evaluations, and a welcome dinner. In addition, participants could attend intellectual property education sessions and the final awards ceremony.
The IP Leadership Academy for Global Women took place on July 17 at COEX. It added an educational focus to the event. Meanwhile, photographs in the official report document the opening ceremony, international gathering, academy sessions, and exhibition activities.
By combining learning with invention displays, KIWIE gives women innovators more than a place to show their work. It also helps them build knowledge and networks. These resources can help inventors protect their ideas and explore opportunities beyond the exhibition.
IFIA Awards at KIWIE 2026
As a supporter of KIWIE 2026, IFIA continued its work to promote women in invention and innovation. Its mission includes helping talented inventors gain recognition across borders. In this way, IFIA seeks to widen access to a global audience.
Women inventors create solutions in science, engineering, energy, healthcare, education, and digital technology. They also address sustainability and everyday needs. Events such as KIWIE help bring these achievements to wider attention.
In 2026, IFIA recognized four outstanding inventions with the IFIA Best Invention Medal. The awards highlighted the projects’ originality and potential impact.
The KIWIE 2026 Awards Ceremony took place on July 18 at Studio 159, COEX. During the ceremony, four innovators received IFIA medals. They represented the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
The 2026 IFIA award recipients were:
- Lee Hyun Jin – ANYLOCK Co., Ltd., Republic of Korea
Push-pull Door Lock with a Clutch Mechanism - Hwang Choon Hong – Dowgene Co., Ltd., Republic of Korea
Forensic Science Experience DNA Electrophoresis Kit - Shaden N. Albalawi – King Abdul Aziz University, Saudi Arabia
Adaptive Hybrid Photonic Layer for Enhanced Solar Energy Harvesting - Jenan Alshehab – ELECTRODIS TECH, Kuwait
Wireless Power Transmission System
Together, the four inventions cover mechanical engineering, science education, solar energy, and wireless power. They highlight the breadth of women’s contributions to technology.
Innovation Across Borders and Disciplines
KIWIE 2026 brought together ideas from many countries and fields. In fact, 454 international inventions made up most of the competition’s 591 entries. This broad participation underlined the event’s global reach.
The IFIA medal winners also showed the range of challenges women inventors address. For example, the door-lock project focuses on practical engineering and ease of use. The DNA electrophoresis kit supports hands-on learning in forensic science.
Meanwhile, the photonic-layer project explores ways to improve solar energy harvesting. The wireless power system addresses another area of electrical and energy technology. Together, these projects show how women’s ideas span both daily needs and longer-term technical challenges.
Advancing the Global Role of Women Inventors
KIWIE 2026 showed why support for women inventors matters. It helps more people share ideas and contribute to global innovation. Moreover, it connects recognition with learning and professional exchange.
With 591 inventions, the event highlighted the creativity and technical skills of women innovators worldwide. Intellectual property education also gave the program a practical focus beyond awards and displays.
Through its support for KIWIE, IFIA helps women inventors reach international audiences. It also recognizes promising inventions and encourages connections within the innovation community.
Women continue to shape science, technology, business, and sustainable development. Therefore, platforms such as KIWIE remain valuable places to share their work. They can help ideas move from an invention showcase toward wider impact.
Ultimately, KIWIE 2026 celebrated both successful inventions and the women behind them. Their work reflects a growing contribution to the technologies and solutions of the future.