IP & IT • Startups
IP protection for startups: make your product investor-ready.
We help founders secure ownership of code, brand and content, close “contractor IP gaps”, and build a clean chain of title.
The goal is simple: your IP must be owned, transferable, licensable, and ready for due diligence.
Most startup IP issues are solvable early — but expensive if discovered during fundraising or M&A.
Typical “red flags” in due diligence
- Key code written by contractors without a proper assignment.
- Founders never transferred IP to the company.
- No OSS licensing hygiene / unclear third-party components.
- Brand and domains not registered or owned by individuals.
Need a packaged start? See IP Protection Kit.
Deliverables
What we protect and how
We build the IP and contract layer around the real way your startup is developed and sold.
The deliverables below can be packaged as a fixed scope or tailored as you scale.
Foundation
Chain of title & ownership clean-up
Make sure the company truly owns what it sells — and can prove it.
- IP perimeter: code, UI, content, data, brand, domains.
- Founder and contractor IP assignments / confirmations.
- Acceptance documents and evidence set (commits, invoices, delivery).
- DD-ready IP summary for investors / partners.
Most common trigger: fundraising, acceleration programs, M&A.
Contracts
Developer & team agreements
Stop “IP leakage” and reduce disputes with builders and contributors.
- Contractor agreements with IP transfer and deliverables logic.
- Employment/consulting templates (where applicable).
- NDA and confidential information rules.
- Non-solicit / non-compete (only where enforceable).
Best for: distributed teams, outsourced development, growth.
Commercial
Licensing & product terms
Turn IP into revenue with clear rights, restrictions and liability structure.
- SaaS / enterprise terms (MSA, SOW, SLAs).
- API / SDK license and usage restrictions.
- Partnership / referral / distribution agreements.
- Basic warranty and limitation of liability strategy.
Best for: B2B sales, marketplaces, partnerships.
Brand
Trademarks & brand protection
Protect the brand early to avoid rebranding and conflicts later.
- Trademark strategy (classes, geographies, priorities).
- Filing coordination and portfolio planning.
- Brand use rules for partners and affiliates.
- Opposition/response strategy (where applicable).
Best for: launch, international expansion, partner programs.
Compliance
Open-source & third-party IP hygiene
Reduce risks from copyleft and missing notices/attributions.
- Map key OSS dependencies and license types.
- Identify high-risk clauses for your business model.
- Attribution/notice baseline + internal policy outline.
- Commercial licensing options mapping (if needed).
Best for: enterprise procurement, app stores, audits.
Structure
IP in a group (holding/opco)
Align IP ownership with your corporate structure and risk model.
- Holding/opco licensing model and internal IP license.
- Founder contributions / IP capitalization options.
- Rules for new developments and new repositories.
- DD narrative: “who owns what” and why.
Best for: relocation, investor structuring, risk separation.
Approach
How we scope IP protection for startups
Fast and practical: define the IP perimeter → fix ownership → build contract templates → protect brand → align commercialization.
What we ask first
- Who developed the product (employees vs contractors, countries, timelines)?
- Where is the code stored and who has access (Git, cloud, admin rights)?
- What else is IP: brand, domains, content, datasets, designs, know-how?
- How you sell: SaaS, enterprise, licensing, partners, marketplaces?
If fundraising is close, we prioritize chain of title and DD evidence first.
Typical engagement paths
Pre-seed / MVP
Founder/contractor assignments → NDA → dev templates → basic website terms.
Seed / scaling
Template system (MSA/SOW) → SaaS/enterprise terms → OSS hygiene → trademark plan.
Fundraising / M&A
IP audit → chain-of-title fix → DD pack → reps & warranties readiness support.
Relocation / restructuring
Holding/opco model → internal IP license → updates to contracts and ownership map.
Often paired with: Software registration and
Corporate.
FAQ
Common questions
Short answers. The right structure depends on your team and commercialization model.
Do we really need IP assignments if we paid contractors?
In many jurisdictions, payment alone does not transfer IP. You usually need a written assignment or properly drafted clauses. We make the chain of title clean and auditable.
What is the minimum legal set for an early-stage startup?
Typically: founder/contractor agreements with IP transfer, NDA, basic vendor template, and website/app legal documents. Then add SaaS/enterprise terms as you start selling.
Can we keep IP in a holding company and license it to the operating company?
Often yes. It can help with risk separation and investment structuring, but it must match real operations, tax and substance requirements. We draft the internal IP license and supporting documents.
Do you help with trademarks internationally?
Yes. We help define a pragmatic trademark strategy (classes, geographies, priorities) and coordinate filings and portfolio planning.
What should we do if we already have contracts?
We can audit them, identify gaps (IP ownership, liability, missing assignments), and rebuild them into a consistent “template system” that your team can reuse without legal chaos.
Want to make your startup IP investor-ready?
Send a short note: what you build, who developed it (employees/contractors), where the IP sits today,
and whether you are fundraising or signing enterprise clients. We will propose a clear scope and first deliverables.
Practical outputs: clean ownership, enforceable contracts, and a structure that survives due diligence.
Good fit for this service:
- Startups preparing for investors or M&A.
- Teams using contractors across countries.
- SaaS products scaling enterprise and partnerships.
- Projects at risk of rebrand or ownership disputes.
We focus on practical deliverables: chain of title, templates, trademark roadmap, and clear commercialization terms.