LEVEL UP ⬆️

5 reasons IP should be on your radar

We get it — you’re a founder with focus mode locked in: building, shipping, selling, promoting, and then doing it all over again in an endless cycle.

You’re not really into bureaucracy, paperwork, lawyers, and all that boring stuff.

BUT, there’s this one task with two letters on your to-do list that you just can’t ignore: IP.

Intellectual Property, or IP, is like your startup’s shield. It protects your bright ideas, your brand, and all the cool stuff you're creating from being stolen or copied. Without it, anyone could just take your concept, slap their name on it, and ride off into the sunset with your hard-earned success.

Trademarks, patents, and copyrights are how you lock down your genius, so only you can cash in on it.

And it's a huge plus for investors if you're gearing up for fundraising.

Here are 5 reasons why IP is a must-consider for any startup founder:

#1. IP signals you're serious

When you secure IP (like patents, trademarks, or copyrights), it shows you're not just winging it. You’ve taken steps to protect your unique ideas. Investors want to know they’re backing something that has real value—IP proves you’re thinking long-term.

#2. IP boosts your valuation

Protected IP makes your startup more valuable. It’s an asset that drives up your company's worth, which is music to any investor's ears. With your idea protected, there’s less risk that someone else can swoop in and steal it.

#3. IP gives you a competitive edge

IP can be your secret weapon. If you’ve locked down rights to something innovative, you’ve got an advantage that others can’t easily copy. This is exactly the kind of edge that gets investors excited—they love backing startups with something special.

#4. IP reduces investor risk

Investors want to minimize risk, and strong IP protection does just that. With IP, they're less worried about legal issues or competitors copying your idea. It’s all about making them feel secure in their investment.

#5. IP attracts strategic partnerships

IP can open doors to partnerships and licensing deals that create new revenue streams, which investors love to see. It shows your startup has the potential to scale beyond just the product.

In short, IP is a game-changer, especially when you’re fundraising. It makes your startup more investable, valuable, and secure. Plus, as a founder, it shows you’re serious about protecting your big innovation.

Don’t overlook IP. It could be the key to unlocking bigger checks and the boost your startup needs.

P.S. If you have any questions or concerns about IP, claim your free phone consultation with the experts at Schoenherr, our partners. Just hit reply to this email, and we’ll set you up.

STARTUP NEWS RADAR 📡

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• VanEck launches a $30M early-stage fund focused on investing in FinTech, digital assets, and AI startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. [source]

• A U.S. judge has ordered Google to open its app store to competitors following a lawsuit by Epic Games. [source]

• There's a growing debate in Silicon Valley about using autonomous weapons in the U.S., especially as AI takes on a bigger role. [source]

• "ARNO" is calling for participation in the "Academy for Circular Economy," part of the project "Civil Society and Youth for Inclusive and Sustainable Development through Circular Economy in North Macedonia," funded by the European Union. [source] 🔥

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From all of our interactions what is one thing that you can tell me about myself that I may not know about myself.

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Term of the week 🕵

PaaS (Platform as a Service) is a cloud computing service providing a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure.

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