Gorenje Wins WIPO National Award for Strengthening Innovation Through Research Collaboration and Patenting Excellence

Gorenje Wins WIPO National Award for Strengthening Innovation Through Research Collaboration and Patenting Excellence

(IN BRIEF) Gorenje has received a national award from the World Intellectual Property Organization for its outstanding innovation system and strategic use of intellectual property. The company’s structured approach to managing creativity, supported by a transparent regulatory framework and fair remuneration for innovation, has positioned it as a leader in bridging academic research with industrial practice. With a patenting tradition dating back to 1956, Gorenje holds over 200 valid patents and remains Slovenia’s top patent holder. Its cooperation with universities, including a long-term R&D partnership with the University of Ljubljana, has strengthened its role as a key innovation hub within the Hisense Europe Group and the wider European technology landscape.

(PRESS RELEASE) LJUBLJANA, 14-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Gorenje has been recognized with a prestigious national award from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for its exceptional management of intellectual property and its steadfast integration of innovation into both its corporate strategy and everyday operations. The award highlights Gorenje’s comprehensive innovation ecosystem, which drives scientific and technological progress, empowers employees, and generates both economic and societal value.

According to the expert committee, Gorenje’s success lies in its ability to institutionalize innovation through a structured internal regulatory system that encourages and rewards creativity while ensuring robust protection for employee ideas. With a patenting tradition that stretches back to the 1970s, the company has developed a transparent and rigorous intellectual property management framework, ensuring fair evaluation processes and promoting openness to knowledge exchange. Gorenje’s remuneration system also guarantees equity in collaborative efforts, including partnerships with external organizations, reinforcing its commitment to shared innovation and cross-sector cooperation.

WIPO’s statement emphasized that through continuous engagement with Slovenian and international universities, Gorenje has positioned itself as a vital bridge between academic research and industrial practice. As the central holder of industrial property within the Hisense Europe Group, Gorenje has become a key contributor to the European innovation ecosystem and a driver of technological advancement. The WIPO National Award for Enterprises serves to promote collaboration between businesses and public research institutions while showcasing best practices in the use of intellectual property rights for sustainable growth.

Elvir Čaušević, Director of Joint Development at Gorenje, stated, “In the past five years, we have successfully filed more than one hundred first-patent applications, underscoring our dedication to developing advanced technologies and protecting intellectual property. Our innovations arise from the knowledge, creativity, and experience of our employees, complemented by close collaboration with academic institutions. This synergy strengthens our competitiveness in the global market and supports our pursuit of sustainable solutions for the future.”

Gorenje’s legacy of innovation dates back to 1956, when it filed its first patent for a threshing machine while still operating as a producer of agricultural machinery. Today, the company upholds this tradition with over 200 valid patents and applications, making it the most prolific patent holder in Slovenia’s Intellectual Property Office registry. As part of the Hisense Group, Gorenje now benefits from access to thousands of additional patents that reinforce its research and development capabilities.

The company’s product development process follows a meticulous and well-documented framework covering every stage—from concept research and design to technology validation and market strategy. Gorenje emphasizes understanding consumer needs through targeted studies and workshops, aligning product innovation with global trends in industrial design, technology, and sustainability.

Gorenje’s collaboration with academia plays a vital role in this process. Its long-term research and development partnership with the University of Ljubljana and other institutions accelerates product innovation and helps identify challenges early in the design phase. These collaborations also extend to doctoral, master’s, and diploma projects, fostering the next generation of innovators and strengthening the link between education and industry.

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SOURCE: Gorenje