Startup Basics

Seed investors move fast. They hear hundreds of pitches, see plenty of code, and can smell hype from a mile away. What gets their attention isn’t just a product demo or a big market—it’s proof that a founder knows how to protect what they’re building. Patents, when used right, do exactly that. But here’s the […]

Not every idea should become a patent. Sometimes, the smarter move is to stop others from patenting something you created—without going through the full patent process yourself. That’s where defensive publications come in. For early-stage startups, especially in AI, robotics, and deep tech, knowing when and how to use defensive publications can be just as

Not every startup needs an IP strategy. But the ones that want to win long-term? They can’t afford to skip it. In early-stage tech, speed is everything. But speed alone doesn’t protect you. If what you’re building can be copied—or worse, improved—by someone with more funding or distribution, it’s only a matter of time before

Most SaaS founders don’t think much about patents. They think patents are for hardware companies, or big tech giants. But that’s not true anymore. If your product solves a technical problem in a new way—especially with software—it may be patentable. And that could change how you grow, how you raise money, and how you defend

Most founders know they’ll face hard questions when raising capital. But the one area that catches many off guard is IP. You might have working code, a few pilots, even early revenue. But if an investor digs into your intellectual property and finds gaps, the deal can stall—or fall apart entirely. This isn’t about having

Most early-stage founders don’t think much about patents. And when they do, it’s usually too late. You’re heads-down building product. You’re trying to get traction, fix bugs, find a customer or two. Filing patents feels like a distraction—or a luxury. But here’s the truth: if you wait until your tech is already out there, you’ve

Every founder thinks about the exit—eventually. Whether you dream of a big acquisition, a strategic merger, or going public, what gets you there isn’t just growth. It’s what you’ve built that others can’t replace. That’s why intellectual property plays such a key role in exit strategy. It’s not just a legal tool. It’s proof that

If you’re a founder in AI, robotics, or deep tech, you’re not just building a product. You’re building something that can’t be copied easily—something investors want to bet on. But here’s the catch: having great tech isn’t enough. You need to show that it’s protected. That your edge is yours alone. That when the market

Most early-stage founders know they need a moat. They hear it in every investor meeting. They know defensibility matters. But many don’t realize that their biggest risk isn’t what they haven’t built—it’s what they’ve forgotten to protect. In deep tech, AI, and robotics, your edge usually comes from something technical. A model. A method. A

Not every startup files patents. And not every founder wants to. Some don’t have time. Some aren’t sure what to protect. Some just believe in moving fast and staying quiet. But even without a single patent, you can still build a moat. A real one. One that protects your edge, keeps competitors out, and makes