If you're a founder, you've probably heard the phrase "learn from failure." But when it comes to IP, some failures are too expensive to learn the hard way. I know, because I’ve made most of them. And sharing your mistakes is one of the most powerful ways of teaching others.

I’ve built deep tech companies, filed over 40 patents personally, and helped manage more than 300 patent families. I’ve also screwed up more IP strategy than I care to admit. And in a world where one bad decision can hand your entire moat to a competitor, those lessons stick.

So let’s get into the IP mistakes I’ll never make again!

Whether you're raising your first round, negotiating a strategic partnership, or preparing for an exit—your leverage determines your terms. You cannot compete, or even sell to, large incumbents without leverage. And your discussions with investors will depend on how much leverage you have.

One of the most overlooked (and underused) levers in the startup world? 

Patents.

WEBINAR: What if we struck gold? - a Fireside chat

WEBINAR: Hardware Companies Protecting Software - a Fireside chat

WEBINAR: Hardware Companies Protecting Software - a Fireside chat

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.