In this instalment of Innovation Spotlight, we meet Lars Svensson, the co-founder and CEO of Nordic Forestry Automation (NFA). Last year, they were recognised by Swedish tech magazine Ny Teknik as one of Sweden’s most promising tech startups. In this interview, we will learn more about how NFA got started, and how their perception system technology makes the forestry industry more sustainable – not only for the planet, but also for the machine operators.

WEBINAR: Hardware Companies Protecting Software - a Fireside chat

I get asked about 10 times a week how to protect AI-based technologies and products. It’s a tricky question, because patenting software inventions can be very tough in the US (and Europe), as the patent office dislikes providing protection for abstract ideas.

But let’s simplify the question by just looking at what the much-discussed OpenAI has done in this space. To date, OpenAI has 12 granted US patents. We don’t know how many more are pending, likely because those applications are still unpublished. What we can say is that they don’t seem to be pursuing protection outside of the US for their technology.

In Innovation Spotlight, we will shine a light on the inventors and entrepreneurs who are changing the world one invention at a time. In this instalment, we meet ATO Energy’s founders Peder Falkman and Elena Rakhimova, and get to learn more about the company’s inventive method to transform the energy grid market by increasing grid capacity. 

ATO Energy’s journey began in April 2024, when co-founders Peder Falkman and Elena Rakhimova realised that to continue their work of solving problems in the energy sector, they had to start their own company. Since then, they have worked hard with their team to develop a new software platform based on dynamic rating. 

Swedish legal tech company Lightbringer is accelerating its mission to revolutionise patent protection on a global scale. Backed by a €4.2 million funding round led by Luminar Ventures and Alliance VC, the company is now setting its sights on international expansion - starting with Cambridge, UK, one of the worldʼs most dynamic hubs for innovation.  

WEBINAR: Hardware Companies Protecting Software - a Fireside chat

A lot of innovative, creative, and brilliant people work behind the scenes at Lightbringer. In Team Talks, you will get to know the people/experts behind the AI. This time, we want to highlight our Product Specialists, who serve as the bridge between innovative entrepreneurs and the sometimes complex world of patent applications.

Jessica Karlsson and My Reimer share how they ended up at Lightbringer, what a regular day looks like, and how they help entrepreneurs protect their groundbreaking ideas. With backgrounds in biomedicine and electrical engineering, as well as startup experience, our specialists use their diverse expertise to simplify the patent process and allow inventors to focus on what they do best: innovate.

Customer story with TERASi and Lightbringer

Are you wondering how to protect your innovation from corporate giants? Concerned about the true cost of a patent?

Join us for a highly requested live Q&A session in the webinar series "Patents for Entrepreneurs," led by serial entrepreneur Ola Wassvik. This is your chance to ask experienced patent attorneys anything about IP strategy, patent costs, enforcement, and more.

Looking back, it's great to see the progress we have made. We started the year with just two product developers, and I'm happy to say we've grown into a team of six incredibly talented contributors. Each team member brings unique expertise and perspective to our mission of transforming patent protection through technology.

Happy New Year! As we move into 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on the articles and content we published last year. From company updates to practical insights for innovators, here’s a recap of our most-read from the past year.

Lightbringer started as a simple vision: "Drive innovation by democratizing patent protection".  That vision is becoming reality. Today, we're announcing a €4.2m investment in Lightbringer in a successful funding round, led by venture capital firms Luminar Ventures, Alliance VC, and Zenith Ventures, and with participation from notable angel investors from the tech industry. 

The Swedish company Lightbringer continues to break new ground in patent protection with its advanced AI technology. The company has secured €4.2 million in a successful funding round led by venture capital firms Luminar Ventures and Alliance VC.

Discover how to turn your patents into powerful business assets, in the third episode of our webinar series Patents for Entrepreneurs we will focus on Customers, Competitors & Courtrooms. Learn from Ola Wassvik, a serial entrepreneur with experience managing over 300 patent families.

Are you a tech entrepreneur with growth ambitions? Do you want to learn more about how your company can maximize business value from your ideas, technology, and innovations? Take the chance to pick the brain of serial entrepreneur Ola Wassvik (Lightbringer) in our upcoming webinar.

For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), navigating the patent process can be complex and costly. However, avoiding certain common mistakes can significantly improve the chances of obtaining strong, valuable patents that align with business goals. Below, we outline the eight common pitfalls SMEs face patenting - and how you can avoid them.

In the vast landscape of innovation, ideas blossom from every corner of an innovative collaborative team. Now, let's explore the other side of the coin—what if a team member seeks your feedback on an idea to tackle a significant technical challenge? The golden rule: Never dismiss it outright with a flat "No, it won't work!" How can anyone be so certain?

One of the most powerful tools an innovator or company can have in their arsenal is a patent. As soon as you file your patent application, you are legally entitled to use the “Patent Pending” status, and it provides immediate benefits across various aspects of your business—from customer trust to investor confidence and even competitive positioning.