socalTECH

JANUARY 28, 2013

Even fewer might not be aware that they might just owe some thanks to the firm, after it scored a patent win against a so-called "patent troll" which was plaguing dozens of online retailers, demanding licensing terms for using shopping card technology it said it owned the rights to. READ MORE>>.

NewEgg 182

NewEgg Patents Southern California City of Industry 182

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

Congress recently passed some major changes to federal patent law. To address what has changed and how it might affect startups, Victor Lin of Innovation Law Group , contributed this article. No industry will be untouched by patent reform. Up until now, the American patent system differed from the rest of the world in that U.S.

Patents 150

Patents Southern California Startup High Tech 150

socalTECH

JANUARY 26, 2012

Irvine-based RFaxis , the semiconductor startup headed by Mike Neshat, reported Thursday that the firm has just received four patents for its technology. The firm said it now has had more than 30 patents filed for its architecture of its RF, front-end integrated circuits. The firm did not details the patents, however, the U.S.

Patents 140

Patents Report Startup Technology 140

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Thus, based on my experience as an entrepreneur as well as a startup investor, there are indeed situations where a non-disclosure is highly recommended, and others where the potential good far outweighs the risk. Disclosures relative to patents. Product details in the public domain can never be patented. Sharing trade secrets.

Ideas 159

Ideas Tips Technical Review Patents 159

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2012

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. This patent holding company has charged infringement and demanded royalties from every app developer for the iPhone and Android, for a feature most agree has been in apps for many years.

Patents 93

Patents Software Technical Advisors Startup 93

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2021

I’m convinced that this “me too” or incremental thinking is one of the key reasons that ninety percent of new startups fail, and most of the investors I know won’t sign non-disclosure forms, since they claim to hear the same startup ideas over and over again. Collaborate with experts and people with experience.

Startup 162

Startup Metrics Ideas Entrepreneur 162

socalTECH

SEPTEMBER 17, 2013

Santa Barbara-based FindTheBest , the products review startup headed by former DoubleClick founder Kevin O''Connor, has a new mission in life: fight patent trolls. FindTheBest has launched a major lawsuit in New York, looking to take down a "patent troll" which had demanded that the startup pay the company for violating a patent.

Patents 100

Patents Santa Barbara Demand Organization 100

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2023

It’s still popular these days for startup founders to operate in stealth mode, meaning no details about the idea or progress are shared with anyone until the big reveal and rollout. Pivots and corrections are inevitable for startups in this age of rapid change, and the earlier you make them, the quicker you get to success.

Marketing 105

Marketing Startup Search Engine Optimization Ideas 105

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2023

In my experience, consummate entrepreneurs tend come up with more startup ideas than they can ever implement, and some of the ideas may not even make business sense. Passion, optimism, and determination are necessary but not sufficient to assure a successful startup. Check for intellectual property barriers in your way.

Ideas 106

Ideas Technical Review Patents Startup 106

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

Every startup and every new business needs a unique selling proposition (USP) to get people’s attention these days, and make it stand out in the information overload we all see. I’m looking for the “hook” right up front, or I lose interest quickly, just like every customer and investor these days. Do include some quantification.

Startup 166

Startup Education Ideas Custom 166

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 2, 2010

Azusa-based Contour Energy Systems , the Caltech battery technology startup headed by Joe Fisher, said today that it has been awarded a new, U.S. According to the firm, the new patent covers its production process and fluorinated multi-layered carbon nanomaterials, which are used in its batteries. READ MORE>>.

Patents 150

Patents Azusa CalTech Research 150

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2016

For a software startup, a patent can be the intellectual property providing the key competitive advantage, or it can be an expensive non-defensible bureaucratic nightmare -- or both. Some argue to simply eliminate software patents, while others put their hopes in U.S. There is no such thing as a world-wide patent.

Patents 53

Patents Software Review Software Technical Advisors 53

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 25, 2022

As an advisor to many startups, I’m convinced it’s an expensive and painful approach, but I do see it used all too often. In the rush of a startup, it’s tempting to start spending the money you expect any day from a rich uncle or a major new customer. But things do go wrong, and you will be left holding the bag.

Startup 100

Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur Custom 100

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2014

I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. This patent holding company has charged infringement and demanded royalties from every app developer for the iPhone and Android, for a feature most agree has been in apps for many years.

Patents 100

Patents Software Review Software Technical Advisors 100

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2020

An excellent example is the initiative by Elon Musk and Tesla Motors a few years ago to give away their battery patents, to infrastructure and competitive car providers, without transactional agreements. A partnership was announced with the City of New York, to connect and grow NYC's startup ecosystem.

Startup 124

Startup IBM IBM Examples 124

SoCal Tech Calendar

JANUARY 26, 2010

Monday, February 1, 2010 -- Patent Policy  From the Hill to the Patent Office. Effective intellectual property (IP) protection is essential to the survival of start-up companies. CONNECT is pleased to host a special policy forum focused on the issues surrounding patent reform. See [link] (more).

Patents 100

Patents IP Startup Funding 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2023

I always tell entrepreneurs that two heads are better than one, so the first task in many startups is finding a cofounder or two. The default answer, to keep peace in the family, is to split everything equally, but that’s a terrible answer, since now no one is in control, and startups need a clear leader. Now comes the reality check.

Equity 99

Equity Patents CTO Hire Startup 99

socalTECH

MAY 25, 2010

Westlake Village-based Zumbox , a startup developing a system to allow for paperless delivery of mail based on physical postal addresses, said today that it has been granted a Motion to Stay in a patent infringement suit brought against the firm by Pitney Bowes. Zumobx is represented by McDermott Will & Emery LLP in the case.

Zumbox 162

Zumbox Patents Westlake Village Email 162

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2020

In my experience, consummate entrepreneurs tend come up with more startup ideas than they can ever implement, and some of the ideas may not even make business sense. Passion, optimism, and determination are necessary but not sufficient to assure a successful startup. Check for intellectual property barriers in your way.

Technical Review 173

Technical Review Ideas Patents Startup 173

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2023

Watch that patent provide a real barrier to competitive entry. Enjoy that first video interview at an industry conference, or the newspaper story which enhances your startup visibility and credibility. Feel the inspiration from peers asking for your secret, or peers trying to model their efforts after yours.

Startup 118

Startup Satisfaction Custom Customer 118

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2020

Every startup founder loves to prompt for questions from investors and potential key team members about their vision, and the huge opportunity that can be had with their disruptive technology. Early stage burn rates over $50K per month, or a runway of less than six months may indicate an inefficient or desperate startup.

Technical Review 174

Technical Review Startup Invest Patents 174

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 17, 2021

It wasn’t so many years ago that starting a new e-commerce business on the Internet was a complex custom development project, usually costing a million dollars or more. Almost anyone can start a company today on a shoestring budget, following these cost-cutting recommendations: Establish a solid legal structure for your business.

Entrepreneur 162

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Outsource Development 162

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 30, 2020

Thus I often recommend that before you kick off your own business, you join another startup or existing business to see how things really work. It starts with documenting and communicating a real purpose and mission in terms everyone can get excited about. Even the best college degree is not a substitute.

Entrepreneur 173

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Technical Review 173

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 17, 2020

These things outside your control do happen, but based on my years of experience as a startup advisor and angel investor, I still see too many strategies leading to failure that are inside the entrepreneur decision realm. I certainly agree that starting a business is fraught with risk, and none of us get it all right the first time.

Startup 174

Startup Writing Entrepreneur Ideas 174

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 18, 2022

New entrepreneurs who want to survive, and optimize the growth of their startups, need to think globally, and act locally, from day one. When buyers in one region start to slow down, look for buyers in other geographies to take up the slack. Balance your business between geographies. Speak the customer’s language.

Patents 106

Patents Offshore Startup Demand 106

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2020

If you want to make a great first impression on a startup investor or an advisor like me, don’t try to convince me or show me how busy you are. I’m sure you all know someone who always seems to be overworked, but often comes up short on the delivery side. As an entrepreneur starting a new business, you have a lot to learn.

Product 123

Product Startup Tips Entrepreneur 123

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 18, 2023

Every startup founder loves to prompt for questions from investors and potential key team members about their vision, and the huge opportunity that can be had with their disruptive technology. Early stage burn rates over $50K per month, or a runway of less than six months may indicate an inefficient or desperate startup.

Startup 83

Startup Technical Review Invest Patents 83

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2021

In his most memorable book, “ The Art of The Start 2.0 ,” Guy Kawasaki exhorts entrepreneurs to focus on making meaning, not money. Elon Musk has opened up Tesla car battery patents for use by anyone, which obviously will benefit his business as well as theirs. Find personal meaning from building a business.

Startup 144

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Ideas 144

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 8, 2020

It may not be as sexy, but starting a new business which builds on an existing technology or business model is usually less risky than introducing that ultimate new disruptive technology. Many of the major business successes started this way. Many of the major business successes started this way.

Startup 157

Startup Social Media Study Research 157

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 4, 2017

When someone says Intellectual Property (IP), most entrepreneurs think only of patents. In reality, patents are only one of at least eight items that should be in your IP portfolio. You need all these before you start looking for funding. Remember that ideas cannot be patented, only novel implementations. Trademarks.

Startup 69

Startup Patents IP Social Media 69

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 30, 2016

conversation literally every week with startups. It is a truism that with more capital you will hire people more quickly and spend more liberally whether it’s on external contractors, PR firms, attending events, doing legal work (trademarks, patents) or whatever. million and in my second company we raised only $500,000 by choice.

Startup 292

Startup Software Review Pricing Entrepreneur 292

socalTECH

NOVEMBER 21, 2013

Are you the 19-year old founder of a startup? Cyborg Industries said yesterday that it has launched a "revolutionary, patented data transfer technology" called the Spectrocable, developed by 14-year old high school sophomore Nicolas Dupont. cyborg industries techweek angeles startup high school' You''re over the hill.

Startup 214

Startup Patents Los Angeles Conference 214

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2020

The biggest complaint I hear from fellow investors is that startup founders often talk way too long, and neglect to cover the most relevant points. If you start by pitching your extended life story, that’s the wrong point. Start with the problem and your solution. Close by asking for questions and promising follow-up.

Startup 118

Startup Slides Technical Review Research 118

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2023

Thus, based on my experience as an entrepreneur as well as a startup investor, there are indeed situations where a non-disclosure is highly recommended, and others where the potential good far outweighs the risk. Disclosures relative to patents. Product details in the public domain can never be patented. Sharing trade secrets.

Technical Review 101

Technical Review Patents Ideas Sample 101

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 14, 2021

This raises a big red flag with potential investors, who conclude that no competitors means no market, or you haven’t looked, and the new startup is likely not investable. First to market, for example, is not normally a sustainable advantage for startups. Here are some of the key ones: Patent protection in place as a barrier to entry.

Competition 166

Competition Funding Startup Patents 166

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

One of the readers asked my opinion around sharing your startup concept: My first question has always been - how do you protect your idea while shopping around for feedback, partners, developers, etc.? Especially if the idea could be whipped-up by a few 24-year olds in a few weeks? Lots of thoughts here.

Startup 211

Startup IP Ideas Patents 211

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2020

As an advisor to many startups, I’m convinced it’s an expensive and painful approach, but I do see it used all too often. In the rush of a startup, it’s tempting to start spending the money you expect any day from a rich uncle or a major new customer. But things do go wrong, and you will be left holding the bag.

Startup 125

Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur Custom 125