Most early-stage founders think about R&D spending in one direction: money out. You fund the research, develop the technology, test it, refine it, protect the intellectual property and keep investing until, hopefully, you have something you can bring to market. That makes sense if you think of R&D strictly as […]
You’re in the raise. Maybe you’ve had a few good conversations. Maybe you’re already in due diligence with one fund and circling back with two others. You know the round is coming — it’s just a matter of when. And the burn clock is ticking. Every founder who’s been through […]
When someone brings me a new technology, product, or piece of intellectual property, the first question is rarely about the invention itself—it’s whether they’re prepared to build an entire business around it. That’s the real fork in the road: take on the cost and complexity of commercialization yourself, or license […]
There’s a pattern that shows up again and again in business, and once you recognize it, it becomes hard to ignore. Companies spend years building products, investing in manufacturing, hiring sales teams, and pushing revenue through traditional channels, all while sitting on intellectual property that could be generating its own […]
Here’s a question most startup founders never ask: what if the most valuable thing you’ve built doesn’t need a sales team, a supply chain, or a single new hire to generate revenue? For most founders, the path to revenue runs through growth. More customers means more support staff. More product […]
Here’s something most inventors, entrepreneurs, and business owners don’t know: some of the most valuable intellectual property in the world is sitting in university technology transfer offices right now, available for licensing — and most of it never gets commercialized. Google’s original PageRank algorithm was licensed from Stanford. The recombinant […]
What the Nike + Fortnite Activation Teaches You About Strategic Brand Extension If you’ve built a strong brand, there comes a point where you have to make a strategic decision that goes far beyond marketing. Do you expand into new product categories yourself, or do you extend your brand into […]
If you own intellectual property, there’s a good chance you’re overlooking value—not because the IP isn’t useful, but because it doesn’t fit neatly into your current priorities. You may be thinking: “This is interesting, but it’s not central to our strategy right now.” “We don’t have the bandwidth to […]
If you’ve ever looked at a new market opportunity and thought, “The demand is there—but the cost, complexity, and risk are too much,” you’re thinking exactly like most smart IP owners. New markets almost always come with strings attached: New regulations and compliance requirements New customer expectations New supply chains […]
Under Armour built its reputation on performance apparel, but when the company wanted to expand into new categories like footwear and accessories, it needed more than just a strong brand—it needed traction and capital. By licensing its brand into new product lines and markets, Under Armour generated royalties and proved […]
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company, faced a common challenge: securing significant funding for its promising cholesterol drug, inclisiran. While traditional funding routes often fall short for intellectual property (IP)-rich companies, Alnylam found a powerful solution in 2019. They secured a $1 billion funding package from Blackstone Life Sciences by monetizing […]
When biotech giant Royalty Pharma purchased the future royalties from Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ cystic fibrosis drug portfolio for over $3.3 billion, it showcased a powerful truth: intellectual property can be monetized and financed like any other hard asset. Vertex didn’t have to sell its company or dilute shareholders. Instead, it leveraged […]
When you think about licensing, you probably picture it as a quick way to expand your market or generate revenue from your intellectual property. That’s true—but there’s another, often overlooked benefit: licensing can also be a strategic investment in long-term research and development (R&D). By approaching licensing as an R&D […]
Unlock the Hidden Potential of Your Intellectual Property (IP) Savvy IP owners are finding innovative ways to profit from their intellectual property (IP) by re-purposing it for use in entirely new industries or applications. This strategy opens doors to fresh revenue streams without requiring a complete overhaul of their business […]
Trade secrets are often the unsung heroes of the intellectual property world. While patents get the spotlight for being official and public, trade secrets quietly power some of the most successful innovations across industries—from food and beverages to pharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing. One area where trade secrets shine is in […]
When it comes to attracting investors for your startup, one thing can make all the difference: your IP story. No, we’re not just talking about saying, “We’ve got a great product, and no one else is doing this.” That’s not enough to grab their attention. Investors want to see something […]
Expanding into new markets brings opportunities and challenges, and one decisive way to facilitate growth is through joint venture (JV) licensing. Partnering with established entities in your target regions can allow you to leverage local expertise, share risks, and create new revenue streams. This article will walk you through the […]
Raising capital is one of the biggest hurdles for startups. Investors are naturally cautious—startups are high-risk ventures, with many failing to reach the early stages. But what if there was a way to change the narrative and position your startup as a high-return investment opportunity? The key lies in leveraging […]
In today’s fast-paced business landscape, companies are always looking for innovative ways to grow revenue, reduce risk, and build resilience. One of the smartest moves you can make? Combine your direct-to-market business model with a licensing strategy. Not only can this dynamic duo fuel growth, but it also serves as […]
In today’s competitive market, innovation is the name of the game. Large companies are always on the lookout for ways to bring new products to market faster, while startups are eager to find pathways to scale and gain visibility. One powerful strategy that bridges these two worlds is licensing. When […]
