Patently Strategic - Patent Strategy for Startups

What Investors Want in Patents with Sridhar Iyengar

May 30, 2023

Sridhar Iyengar, an angel investor and serial entrepreneur, discusses what investors look for in patents. They explore topics such as the value of patents, public disclosure, packaging and colors in consumer products, valuing patents in early stage investing, and offensive and defensive patent strategies.

54:51

Episode guests

Sridhar Iyengar

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The value of patents depends on the market, competition, and the type of moat being built, and entrepreneurs should consider other forms of intellectual property like trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, or design patents.

Investors prioritize the strategic thinking of founders around intellectual property rather than the actual patents themselves, and startups should demonstrate their understanding of protecting inventions and the risk-reward balance between patenting and keeping trade secrets.

Deep dives

Importance of Patent Protection

Patents are valuable, but not necessary for every situation. The value of patents depends on the market, competition, and the type of moat being built. In some cases, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, or design patents may be more appropriate.

Introduction

4min

Announcement of RISE Award and Introduction of Guest Speaker

2min

The Value of Patents and Intellectual Property

4min

Importance of Public Disclosure and Enabling Public Disclosure

10min

The Strategic Importance of Packaging and Colors in Consumer Products

3min

Valuing Patents in Early Stage Investing

28min

Exploring Offensive and Defensive Patent Strategies, IP Budget Management, and Law Firm Preferences

5min

What do investors want to see in patents? What do patents tell a potential investor about a founder? And what do investors wish inventors knew before coming to them?

To answer these questions and more, we're joined this month by Dr. Sridhar Iyengar, an angel investor and accomplished serial entrepreneur in the medical devices and wearables space. Having been on both sides of the table, Dr. Iyengar's unique insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the essential role that patents can play in securing funding and in your company's long term success.

Sridhar and I are also joined today by:

⦿ Dr. Ashley Sloat, President and Director of Patent Strategy at Aurora
⦿ Dr. Sophia Li, Patent Strategy Fellow at Aurora

** RISE Award **
We’re now accepting applications for the 4th Annual RISE Award! For the selected applicant, we will work closely with you and your team of inventors to provide one of the following:
⦿ A free provisional U.S. patent application or
⦿ $5,000 towards a non-provisional U.S. patent application.

Apply now: https://www.aurorapatents.com/rise-up-with-aurora.html

** Resources **

⦿ Show Notes: https://www.aurorapatents.com/blog/what-investors-want-in-patents-with-sridhar-iyengar

** Follow Aurora Consulting **

⦿ Home: https://www.aurorapatents.com/
⦿ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuroraPatents
⦿ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurora-cg/
⦿ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aurorapatents/
⦿ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aurorapatents/

And as always, thanks for listening!

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Note: The contents of this podcast do not constitute legal advice.

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