Clarivate Plc, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, has released the 15th edition of its Top 100 Global Innovators report. The 2026 ranking highlights organizations that consistently produce high-impact, high-quality inventions, with artificial intelligence emerging as a central force reshaping innovation leadership from volume-based scale to precision and strategic clarity.
Quick Intel
The Top 100 Global Innovators 2026 demonstrates how AI is transforming the innovation landscape. These organizations navigate complexity with precision, producing inventions that disproportionately shape future technologies. AI-related patent filings have accelerated dramatically in recent years, particularly in generative AI and deep learning, establishing these as the fastest-evolving frontiers.
"Recognition as a Top 100 Global Innovator is a remarkable achievement given the pace of change and in the 2026 edition, we feature 16 all-time recipient organizations. Multi-year winners and new entrants are investing in AI innovation as it redefines the boundaries between research, engineering and commercial execution. The leaders we celebrate today are not just responding to this shift, they are designing for it," said Maroun S. Mourad, President, Intellectual Property, Clarivate.
Geographically, Japan maintains its dominant position with the highest number of organizations and top-ranked performers. The United States, Taiwan, Germany, and South Korea follow as major contributors, while Mainland China and the Netherlands show notable growth in representation. Ireland and Saudi Arabia return to the list this year.
The ranking methodology, developed by the Clarivate Center for IP and Innovation Research, relies on the proprietary Derwent Strength Index. This evaluates inventions based on influence, success, rarity, and investment, using data from the Derwent World Patents Index (DWPI). Organizations must meet strict thresholds for invention strength and demonstrate consistent, internationally patented output over the past five years.
This year's report underscores that true innovation leadership is defined by the ability to deliver high-quality, strategically focused inventions in an AI-accelerated era.
About Clarivate Center for IP and Innovation Research The Clarivate Center for IP and Innovation Research empowers organizations worldwide to excel by providing expert guidance grounded in pioneering benchmarks and data-driven insights. Bringing together senior practitioners, consultants and data analysts, the Center performs research to establish and disseminate benchmarks that guide management and strategy. It works with legal, IP and innovation leaders to optimize IP operations and technology and improve IP decision-making, supported by industry-leading data, analytics and proven practices.
About Clarivate
Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare.
TechIntelPro empowers B2B technology decision-makers with the latest industry trends, deep insights, leadership perspectives and actionable intelligence to drive both organizational and professional milestones—and thrive on the tech pulse.