Objectives
Leadership
Innovation
Value Protection
Background
In today’s knowledge-driven economy, Intellectual Property (IP) and design have become powerful engines of innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth. Beyond legal protection, IP serves as a strategic business and economic asset that drives investment, strengthens market positioning, and enables commercialization. Design complements this by transforming ideas into human-centred, scalable, and market-ready solutions, accelerating adoption and creating real-world impact.
As India’s innovation ecosystem expands through stronger R&D, startup growth, industry–academia collaboration, and progressive policy reforms, the integration of design and IP is increasingly critical to unlocking economic value. The World Design & Intellectual Property Conference 2026 brings together global leaders and stakeholders to explore how this convergence can power innovation ecosystems, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and contribute meaningfully to innovation-led economic growth.
Speakers
Prof. Dr. Heinz Goddar
Partner,Boehmert & Boehmert
Ms. Marie-Paule Rizo
Head, Design and Geographical Indication Law Section,Brands and Designs Sector, WIPO
Mr Ignacio de Medrano Caballero
Head of Promotion of IP,EUIPO
Ms Rachel Power
Senior Policy AdvisorUKIPO
Prof. Ananya Mukherjee
Vice ChancellorShiv Nadar Institution of Eminence
Prof Unnat Pandit
Controller General of Patents,Designs and Trademarks, Intellectual Property Office, Government of India
Prof. Pradyumna Vyas
Senior Advisor,CII, President-Elect – World Design Organization (WDO)
Mr. Udayant Malhoutra
Chairman,CII National Committee on Design, CEO & Managing Director, Dynamatic Technologies Ltd.
Mr. Munish Sudan
Head, Intellectual Property & Technology Intelligence,Tata Steel
Mr. M Faisal
General Managerand Global Head, IPR, Tata Motors Ltd.
Dr. Shankar Venugopal
Vice President,Mahindra & Mahindra
