As part of a series on leveraging pro-bono legal services, we spoke with Dan White, founder and CEO of Clean Crop Technologies, about the process of developing an intellectual property (IP) portfolio. For first-time founders, Dan describes this as a “steep learning curve,” with challenges that require strategic planning and informed decision-making.

The Importance of Strategic Advisors

One of the primary hurdles is finding a legal team genuinely invested in your company’s success. “At this point, 98% of the practitioners who understand patent law dynamics aren’t necessarily incentivized to advise an early-stage company from a strategy standpoint,” he explains. While many practitioners excel at managing individual claims, Dan emphasizes the importance of aligning IP development with a company’s broader, long-term strategy.

This alignment is particularly critical for startups operating with limited resources. Founders must navigate how their IP portfolio fits into their overall business plan and growth trajectory. Dan suggests seeking advisors with experience managing large IP portfolios to guide strategic decisions and avoid missteps. 

Continuous Education: A Founder’s Advantage

Once a trusted team is in place, Dan stresses that founders must continue to engage with IP proactively. Founders who ongoingly invest time in understanding the intricacies of intellectual property management are better equipped to make informed decisions. This approach not only saves time and resources down the line, but also enhances the overall value and sustainability of the company’s IP strategy.

By combining expert guidance with a commitment to continuous learning, founders can build an IP portfolio that evolves alongside their company, providing a strong foundation for long-term success. Read more about patent strategy on MFN in our interview with Jed Gordon. 

Through MFN’s Expert Directory MFN members can now tap into a network of professionals ready to assist with a variety of topics including patent strategy and intellectual property. Our experts can provide recommendations, offer suggestions, and help answer questions that might be hard to find elsewhere.