Surface hidden IP risk and defensibility gaps before they show up in a financing, partnership, or exit.
Most valuation erosion isn't a single "deal killer." It's silent: undocumented trade secrets, ambiguous ownership in AI/data workflows, founder-concentrated knowledge, and third-party dependency exposure.
In 4–6 weeks, you get a board/IC-ready summary, a prioritized risk matrix, and concrete upside levers—so remediation is targeted and timed before the next capital event.
Common triggers: pre-Series B/C, strategic partnerships, exit prep (12–24 months), post-close cleanup.
In modern software, AI, and data-driven businesses, intellectual property evolves faster than documentation, governance, and legal protection. As a result, material IP risks often remain invisible until a financing, partnership, or exit event forces scrutiny.
A portfolio company is preparing for a strategic partnership and a follow-on round. Late in the process, diligence questions surface: Who owns the model training inputs? Which parts of the decision logic are proprietary vs. vendor-dependent? How much critical know-how lives only in a founder's head?
Nothing is "fraud-level" wrong—but answers are slow, documentation is inconsistent, and remediation becomes reactive. The result is predictable: expanded diligence scope, delayed timelines, and avoidable leverage for the other side.
This assessment surfaces and prioritizes these issues early—so remediation is targeted and completed before capital events force scrutiny.
"These issues rarely kill deals — they quietly erode valuation."
The assessment follows a structured, repeatable process designed to map where defensible advantage exists and how effectively it is protected.
Map products, data flows, decision logic, AI/ML workflows, and critical operational systems.
Identify where competitive advantage is created and where it could be defensible.
Classify innovations as patentable IP, trade secrets, defensive publication candidates, or non-IP.
Assess ownership chains and exposure points, including employment agreements, contractor work, data rights, model training inputs, and third-party dependencies.
Translate findings into valuation-relevant risks and upside levers tied to financing, partnerships, and exit readiness.
A concise overview of key risks, priorities, and upside levers.
Categorized inventory of patentable items, trade secrets, and defensibility drivers.
Severity-by-likelihood assessment with recommended actions and ownership.
Concrete paths to strengthen defensibility and valuation posture.
A shareable summary suitable for boards and follow-on investors.
Deliverables are designed to be shared with boards, legal counsel, and future investors.
A prioritized view of IP risks by severity and likelihood, with recommended remediation paths.
Categorized mapping of patentable innovations, trade secrets, and defensibility gaps.
One-page IC-ready summary highlighting risks, mitigation priorities, and valuation implications.
(Actual artifacts may be shared during an introductory call or within the assessment overview.)
Most IP diligence fails because it sits entirely within legal or technical silos. This work requires fluency across technology, intellectual property, and valuation.
"This work sits between technology, law, and valuation — where diligence often fails."
Traditional diligence focuses on historical compliance and documentation. This assessment focuses on operational IP — how advantage is actually created — and how that impacts future valuation.
No. This assessment complements legal counsel by identifying where legal action is most needed.
No. We identify and prioritize opportunities; execution is handled by counsel.
Typically a small number of structured interviews and system walkthroughs over several weeks.
All engagements are conducted under NDA, with clear data handling boundaries defined upfront.
Get a concise PDF covering scope, methodology, deliverables, and engagement fit. If you're evaluating a specific portfolio company, book a short call to confirm triggers, access needs, and timeline.
