Start-ups

For startup businesses, the intellectual property is often the difference between a bright idea and a successful business. Your innovation, brand or design may be your biggest asset, but without protection, the business runs the risk of exposing itself to copycats and competitors before you even get going.

Managing IP may not be a top priority when a new business is focused on launching products, securing investment and growing a customer base and this rings true in the real world. At SH&P we see this a lot when talking to new businesses. Attention to IP is often close to the bottom of the priority list.

However, startup business owners must keep in mind that investors, partners and potential buyers will want reassurance that the intellectual property is locked up. Why? A strong IP strategy gives credibility, attracts funding and allows a business to scale with confidence. If you are starting a business with an exit strategy in mind then this is critical.

At SH&P, we work closely with early-stage businesses to make sure their ideas and brand identities are protected from the outset. We provide practical guidance on what can and should be protected and we put the building blocks in place so your IP grows with your business.

How can we help your startup?

• Protecting Your Idea – We identify your protectable assets and guide you through the relevant process, be that for patents, trade marks or designs. The sooner you have all the facts and information, the sooner you can protect what is yours.

• Investor Readiness – A clear IP portfolio reassures investors and funders that your business is serious and worth backing.

• Managing Budgets – We know business resources are finite, so we prioritise what matters most to you right now but simultaneously with an eye on future growth.

• Brand Building – From your company name to your logo, we will research your branding assets and evaluate whether you are free to use and register those assets. Clearance is a crucial first step. Only then should the rights be protected. If you are not free to use a mark or if there may be risk involved then it is best to know early.

• Global Ambitions – Even small businesses can have international reach. We help plan your IP protection across borders as you expand.

Startups need speed, flexibility and close support they can trust. With SH&P, you will have a partner that understands the challenges of early growth and ensures your intellectual property becomes a foundation for your business, not a vulnerability. We have decades of experience in supporting start-ups and have helped many new businesses flourish.