ICTK Named a Winner of the 2026 WIPO Global Awards
- Selected as one of 11 Winners from more than 1,300 companies across 126 countries
- Believed to be the first post-quantum cryptography (PQC)-based security company among past WIPO Global Awards winners
- Third Korean company to win the WIPO Global Award
- Advanced from a Top 30 Finalist in 2025 to a Winner in 2026
SEOUL, Republic of Korea – July 13, 2026 – ICTK Co., Ltd. (KOSDAQ: 456010), a next-generation quantum security fabless company, today announced that it has been named a Winner of the 2026 WIPO Global Awards, organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
Organized by WIPO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, the WIPO Global Awards recognize startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that strategically use intellectual property (IP) as a business asset to drive growth, enter new markets, build partnerships, attract investment, and create social and economic value.
This year, more than 1,300 companies from 126 countries applied for the Awards, and ICTK was selected as one of the 11 final Winners. After being selected as a Top 30 Finalist in 2025, ICTK has now advanced to become a Winner in 2026. Based on a review of past WIPO Global Awards winners, ICTK is believed to be the first post-quantum cryptography (PQC)-based security company to receive the award, and the third Korean company to win the WIPO Global Award.
ICTK was recognized for its positive innovation impact and its strategic use of intellectual property to scale its business.
ICTK’s core technology, VIA PUF™, creates a unique cryptographic identity for each chip from microscopic physical variations generated during semiconductor manufacturing. Building on this technology, ICTK has developed a PQC-PUF security chip lineup that combines post-quantum cryptography with hardware-based root-of-trust capabilities for device authentication, tamper resistance, and secure key protection.
The winners of the 2026 WIPO Global Awards were announced at a ceremony held on July 10 in Geneva, Switzerland, during the WIPO Assemblies. Winners receive follow-up support programs, including tailored IP and business mentoring as well as access to global networks.
“Being named a Winner of the 2026 WIPO Global Awards is a meaningful recognition of ICTK’s long-standing commitment to turning proprietary semiconductor security IP into commercially scalable products,” said an ICTK spokesperson. “With our VIA PUF™ and PQC-PUF security chip technologies, and following the start of security chip supply to a global technology company this May, ICTK is accelerating its global expansion across device security, supply chain security, and quantum-resilient security markets.”
About ICTK Co., Ltd.
ICTK Co., Ltd. (KOSDAQ: 456010) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in hardware-based security. Its core VIA PUF™ (Physical Unclonable Function) technology derives a unique, unclonable cryptographic identity from microscopic physical variations that occur naturally during chip manufacturing, removing the need to store secret keys in memory. Building on VIA PUF™, ICTK has developed a PQC-PUF security chip lineup that integrates post-quantum cryptography with hardware-based security for applications including device authentication, tamper resistance, and secure key protection. Headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and backed by a global patent portfolio, ICTK works with partners across the IoT, automotive, defense, payments, and industrial sectors. For more information, visit www.ictk.com.
About the WIPO Global Awards
The WIPO Global Awards recognize startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that use intellectual property to grow their business and develop solutions with a positive impact on society. Organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, the Awards are part of WIPO’s broader mission to make IP work for everyone. Winners receive a dedicated workshop, a six-month individual mentoring package, and recognition in Geneva before delegates from 194 countries.
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ICTK Named a Winner of the 2026 WIPO Global Awards
- Selected as one of 11 Winners from more than 1,300 companies across 126 countries
- Believed to be the first post-quantum cryptography (PQC)-based security company among past WIPO Global Awards winners
- Third Korean company to win the WIPO Global Award
- Advanced from a Top 30 Finalist in 2025 to a Winner in 2026
Organized by WIPO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, the WIPO Global Awards recognize startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that strategically use intellectual property (IP) as a business asset to drive growth, enter new markets, build partnerships, attract investment, and create social and economic value.
This year, more than 1,300 companies from 126 countries applied for the Awards, and ICTK was selected as one of the 11 final Winners. After being selected as a Top 30 Finalist in 2025, ICTK has now advanced to become a Winner in 2026. Based on a review of past WIPO Global Awards winners, ICTK is believed to be the first post-quantum cryptography (PQC)-based security company to receive the award, and the third Korean company to win the WIPO Global Award.
ICTK was recognized for its positive innovation impact and its strategic use of intellectual property to scale its business.
ICTK’s core technology, VIA PUF™, creates a unique cryptographic identity for each chip from microscopic physical variations generated during semiconductor manufacturing. Building on this technology, ICTK has developed a PQC-PUF security chip lineup that combines post-quantum cryptography with hardware-based root-of-trust capabilities for device authentication, tamper resistance, and secure key protection.
The winners of the 2026 WIPO Global Awards were announced at a ceremony held on July 10 in Geneva, Switzerland, during the WIPO Assemblies. Winners receive follow-up support programs, including tailored IP and business mentoring as well as access to global networks.
“Being named a Winner of the 2026 WIPO Global Awards is a meaningful recognition of ICTK’s long-standing commitment to turning proprietary semiconductor security IP into commercially scalable products,” said an ICTK spokesperson. “With our VIA PUF™ and PQC-PUF security chip technologies, and following the start of security chip supply to a global technology company this May, ICTK is accelerating its global expansion across device security, supply chain security, and quantum-resilient security markets.”
About ICTK Co., Ltd.
ICTK Co., Ltd. (KOSDAQ: 456010) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in hardware-based security. Its core VIA PUF™ (Physical Unclonable Function) technology derives a unique, unclonable cryptographic identity from microscopic physical variations that occur naturally during chip manufacturing, removing the need to store secret keys in memory. Building on VIA PUF™, ICTK has developed a PQC-PUF security chip lineup that integrates post-quantum cryptography with hardware-based security for applications including device authentication, tamper resistance, and secure key protection. Headquartered in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and backed by a global patent portfolio, ICTK works with partners across the IoT, automotive, defense, payments, and industrial sectors. For more information, visit www.ictk.com.
About the WIPO Global Awards
The WIPO Global Awards recognize startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that use intellectual property to grow their business and develop solutions with a positive impact on society. Organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, the Awards are part of WIPO’s broader mission to make IP work for everyone. Winners receive a dedicated workshop, a six-month individual mentoring package, and recognition in Geneva before delegates from 194 countries.
Go to the Articles
- Business Korea
- 한글 기사 보러 가기