IP Strategy and the Quest for Capital

Originally Published MX January/February 2005

FINANCE

Clearly connecting a company's intellectual property strategy with its business plan can secure a vital link to venture capital funding.

Steven C. Furlong

An idea for an artificial liver could lead to a breakthrough invention benefiting millions of people in critical need. But without adequate funding to bring such an invention to fruition, the potentially life-saving device may never get to market, remaining simply someone's dream. Companies that do bring to market useful medical technology innovations tend to succeed in this by crafting a business plan that includes a well-conceived intellectual property (IP) strategy that protects all facets of the medical device. Such an IP strategy can also win investor interest.