​About the event

​You can explain what your product does. Can you explain what makes your business defensible?

​Building with AI? You may also be asking what’s actually yours to protect, especially when your product uses third-party models or tools. As you prepare to raise, how do you explain the distinctive value your team has created and where IP fits into that story? And how does that strengthen the case for investing in you?

​You might not have a patent. You might not know whether you need one. You’re trying to figure out what matters before your next raise, without spending time and money on the wrong things.

​Meet Your Speaker: Neha Bahl

​Neha Bahl is an UpNext Space mentor and company advisor, General Partner at Renew VC, and Head of Strategy at Allium IP. She brings over 15 years of experience across strategy, innovation and business development.

​At Allium IP, Neha works with early-stage founders to make intellectual property practical and accessible, helping them protect their innovations, support fundraising and prepare for global growth. She is committed to building a more inclusive and equitable innovation ecosystem.

​What will you leave with?

• ​A clearer understanding of how IP supports your raise. Understand how IP can strengthen your fundraising story and help you explain the value of what you’re building.

• ​The basics to have more informed conversations with IP lawyers. Understand key terms, why they matter, and what questions to ask so you can assess recommendations and make decisions with greater confidence.

• ​A practical framework for your next steps. Get a starting point for identifying what’s worth protecting, understanding your options, and prioritising IP decisions around your stage, budget and business goals.

• ​Lessons from live startup feedback. See Neha apply these ideas to real businesses, with the opportunity to get feedback on your own startup if selected.

• ​An opportunity to continue the conversation. Express interest in a follow-up 1:1 with Neha to explore your startup’s questions further, subject to availability.

​Who is this for?

• ​Founders and startup teams preparing to raise, launch or scale, including leaders in technology, product and business strategy

• ​Researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs turning an innovation into a business

• ​AI / SaaS founders building on top of third-party models who need to define what's actually theirs

• ​Solo builders and small teams shipping novel agentic workflows, prompts, or pipelines

• ​AI agency founders productizing client engagements

• ​Anyone who's been asked "what's your moat?" and didn't have a clean answer

​Format of the event

• ​Opening & Introduction: The landscape and what is IP all about

• ​Learning the Essentials: Neha breaks down how to identify what’s worth protecting, when to act, and how IP can support your next raise and long-term growth. (30 mins)

• ​Live Feedback: Two or three selected founders share their products and IP questions. Neha works through each example live, asking questions and discussing what to consider next. Join the hot seat or learn from the discussion. (30 mins)

• ​Q&A (5 mins)

• ​Closing: Key takeaways to help you think through your startup’s next IP decisions. (5 mins)