Ahmedabad: In an important development for Gujarat’s innovation landscape, the number of annual patents filed from the state has doubled in a matter of five years. Compared to 883 patents filed from Gujarat in 2019-20, the number skyrocketed to 1,924 in 2024-25 till Dec, according to the “ASSOCHAM report” ‘Leveraging IP for Growth’.
Since April 2023, the state has filed 4,649 patents, marking one of the highest totals in the recent period, the report added. Despite being a leading startup hub, hosting more than 13,000 registered startups, Gujarat ranks fifth nationally in patent registrations, according to the report.
The report reveals a substantial gap between Gujarat and top-performing states. Tamil Nadu, for instance, recorded 10,553 patent filings in 2024-25 period, five times more than Gujarat’s 1,924 patent filings.
Nakul Sharedalal, Chairman of the IPR Committee of ASSOCHAM Gujarat, said, “Gujarat-based startups need to focus more on innovation and increase patent filing. A majority of Gujarat startups focus on product marketing, but we believe a sizable portion of revenue should be spent on innovation. Startups should adopt a strategy to ideate, create, protect and prosper to ensure faster growth.”
The report stated that despite growing recognition of IP’s importance at the national level, adoption among early-stage startups remains inconsistent.
Many founders view IP as complex, expensive or relevant only to large enterprises. “Studies have shown that startups with registered IPs are significantly more likely to raise venture capital, enter foreign markets and scale operations sustainably. IP acts as a magnet for investors seeking defensible value propositions and a signal of long-term viability. In a competitive global economy, Gujarat’s startups must be empowered to not just invent but also to protect, commercialise and strategically monetise their innovations,” the report added.
Officials at the Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST) said that about 200 patents were granted to state-based researchers in the past few years, and the number is growing. “In a first, we will be having IP and innovation labs in all 33 districts of Gujarat. CM Bhupendra Patel will launch the initiative on Saturday to coincide with the IP Day celebration. Some of the features of the lab include software that will tell the researchers whether a similar innovation has been registered earlier, access to national and international patent databases and IP orientation and mentorship, among others,” said a senior official.
Originally published on  Times of India