Before You Pitch, Read This: The Patent Strategy That Impresses Investors

I’ve worked with dozens of startups preparing for their first (or fifth) investor pitch. And while everyone obsesses over pitch decks and data rooms, many forget one thing that investors always notice:

🔒 Do you own — and are you protecting — your intellectual property?

Here’s how to make sure the answer is a confident YES, and why that matters more than you think.

Getting ready to pitch? Learn how a strong patent strategy makes you more investable and protects your startup’s secret sauce — straight from a startup-focused patent lawyer.

💥 1. “Patent Pending” = Investor Confidence

Investors want defensibility. A pending patent shows you’ve put real thought into protecting your edge — whether it’s a chemical formula, a novel device, or a killer algorithm.

✅ Pro tip: File a provisional patent application before you pitch. It’s fast, cost-effective, and gives you “patent pending” bragging rights.

📉 2. No IP = Lower Valuation

No patents? VCs will build that into your valuation — and not in a good way.

Even worse, they may assume you’re open to copycats, or that you haven’t thought through exit risk. (What happens when an acquirer asks about freedom to operate?)

✅ Pro tip: A solid IP strategy tells investors: “We’re not just building fast — we’re building smart.”

🔍 3. VCs Will Ask: Who Owns the IP?

If your co-founder or contractor helped develop the tech, and there’s no written IP assignment to the company… you’ve got a major red flag.

✅ Pro tip: Lock this down before your first pitch meeting. Have clear employment agreements and IP assignments for every contributor.

🌍 4. Thinking Global? So Should Your Patents

If your market is international, investors expect you’ve considered protecting your IP abroad. You don’t have to file everywhere now, but you need a plan.

✅ Pro tip: File under the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) to buy time and preserve your international rights.

📈 5. A Smart IP Strategy = A Stronger Exit

If you want to sell or IPO someday, your IP is a major part of your valuation. Clean, well-documented patents can increase your company’s worth — and speed up due diligence.

✅ Pro tip: Keep clean records of your patent filings, assignments, and invention disclosures. Investors (and acquirers) love this.

🚀 Ready to Pitch? Get Your Patent Strategy VC-Ready

I help startups like yours develop patent strategies that impress investors, protect innovation, and scale with your business.

👉 Let’s connect if you’re preparing for a raise and want your IP to be a strength — not a question mark.

📬 Stay Ahead of the Curve

Follow me here and at @tinadorrpatentlawyer on Instagram for practical IP tips for startups — no legalese, no fluff, just real strategies that help you grow.