AngelCentral Deep Dive Series: Understanding and Investing in IP-centric Startups

​​This is a hybrid event. Please indicate whether you will be attending in-person or online (via Zoom) when you register for the workshop. Note: We encourage all participants to join in-person to take part in the case studies group discussions.

​Not every startup is built around patents or proprietary technology, but for many, intellectual property (IP) still plays an important role in protecting their product, brand, or competitive edge. 

​In these startups, intellectual property (IP) is the business – whether it’s proprietary technology, patents, trademarks, or trade secrets. But for many investors, IP can also be one of the hardest areas to assess with confidence.

​This deep dive workshop is designed to help investors better understand how IP creates value in startups, what to look out for, and how to spot both opportunities and risks when evaluating IP-centric businesses. We’ll have a panel of industry experts who have worked closely with startups on IP strategy and protection, as well as founders who have navigated patents, trademarks, and trade secrets while building and scaling their companies. Together, they’ll share real-world perspectives on what actually matters.

​What we’ll cover:

• ​The different types of IP (patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights) and when each matters

• ​How a strong IP can create defensibility and competitive advantage

• ​Red flags investors should look out for around ownership, protection, and freedom to operate

​Walk away from this session with a more practical lens for assessing how IP fits into the overall investment story.