Raising Capital: How Investors Evaluate Intellectual Property?
Raising capital isn’t only about traction and storytelling — investors also look closely at how you protect (and manage) your intellectual property (IP) to assess risk, defensibility, and long-term value.
Join us for a practical breakfast panel designed for founders preparing to fundraise (or thinking ahead to future rounds). We’ll unpack how angel investors evaluate IP during diligence, how IP influences valuation conversations (even early-stage), and the common missteps that can slow down — or derail — investment discussions.
🎟️ Admission: Free (Registration Required)
☕ Bagels & Coffee
📋 Agenda
8:30 AM – Registration & Networking
9:00 AM – Panel Discussion + Q&A
Learn directly from an angel investor, an IP-backed startup founder, and an IP lawyer about what investors look for in startups, how IP-backed companies are supported beyond capital, and how founders can unlock funding to file, protect, and scale their intellectual property.
Reshika Dhir, Principal at Smart & Biggar
Rishabh Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO of Actuality
More panelists info to be updated shortly
10:15 AM - Networking
10:30 AM - Event concludes
What You’ll Learn
What IP signals increase investor confidence (ownership clarity, defensibility, risk awareness)
How IP can influence valuation conversations — even before revenue
Common diligence red flags (founder vs. company ownership, contractor assignments, public disclosures)
Practical steps founders can take now to be more “investor-ready” from an IP perspective
This event is graciously sponsored by Smart & Biggar
Smart & Biggar is widely recognized as Canada’s leading firm for intellectual property, and with over 180 lawyers, patent agents and trademark agents. We are also the largest firm focused purely on IP and related specialty areas.
Bonus: Smart & Biggar Office Hours
Time: 11.30 AM onwards (by appointment only)
📣 RSVP Early to Secure Your Spot!
Space is limited, and priority will be given to vetted companies.
If you're interested in attending 1:1 office hours with Smart & Biggar following the Reverse Investor Pitch, please:
Register for the event
Email [email protected] with the subject line: “Smart & Biggar Office Hours”
Attach your company pitch deck
A member of the IDEA Mississauga team will follow up with you directly. Please note: expressing interest does not guarantee a spot in the office hours.