By the time you raise a growth round, your technology has been visible for 18–24 months. Here's how to audit your patent exposure before investors do it for you.
The due diligence problem
When a Series B investor conducts due diligence, IP is a major focus. They want to know: what patents do you hold, what are they worth, and are you infringing anyone else's patents? The answer to that last question can kill a deal or significantly reduce your valuation.
Most early-stage startups don't systematically monitor the patent landscape around their core technology. They file their own patents, but they don't watch what competitors are filing — or what existing patents might read on their product.
Patent exposure works both ways
First, your product might infringe an existing patent. Second, competitors may be infringing your patents — and you're leaving money on the table by not acting. Both risks compound over time. Willful infringement carries up to treble damages in patent litigation.
What to do before your Series B closes
Document every patent you own, every application pending, and every trade secret you rely on.
A targeted search of patents that could potentially read on your core product — identifying red flags early.
Monitor new patent filings by key competitors. New applications publish 18 months after filing — giving you advance warning of their IP strategy.
Are competitors using technology that falls within your patent claims? Identifying infringers can be a significant asset in funding or M&A.
"Investors don't create IP risk — they surface it. The risk was always there. The question is whether you knew about it first."
Goalie IP's patent monitoring plans are designed to fit startup budgets. Our engineer-attorneys understand your technology and can deliver actionable analysis before your next round closes.