Frequently Asked Questions

About Our Business Model

What does IP2Biz^® really do?
Is IP2Biz a venture capital firm?
What is an Innovation Capitalist?
Isn't the market saturated with companies that do what IP2Biz does?
How does IP2Biz differ from a business incubator?
Do you design products? Are you product developers?
Who are your clients?
How does IP2Biz stay on top of so many technological advances in so many markets?

About Our Offerings

What is IPScout^SM?
How does IPScout work?
What are the benefits of IPScout?
What are the deliverables with IPScout and how is it priced?
Do you have experts in all industries?
Can IPScout find a new technology for me to launch next year?
How does IPScout work with multi-divisional companies?

What is a ProofCo^® and what does it include?
How is a ProofCo valued and priced?
What do you mean by clean, packaged IP?
How fast is “The Fast Track from IP to Industry?”

What does IP2Biz really do?
Through our technology scouting, analysis and reporting service -- IPScout^SM -- we help our clients unearth (discover) previously unseen, promising technologies. Once the technology has been screened and vetted, we form the proof of commercialization project (through our proprietary process of technology validation that we call a "ProofCo^®" project.) We jointly invest in the ProofCo project with our clients. Put simply, we fast track early stage technology, move it along the commercialization continuum and then sell it to our clients.

Is IP2Biz a venture capital firm?
No, we are an Innovation Capitalist. Click here to request our recent white paper on this topic. While there are many differences between our business model and that of a typical VC, the key difference is the level of investment and ownership assumed by IP2Biz versus that of a VC. Our series of smaller investments in early stage technology helps to move the technology along the commercialization continuum prior to our exit by selling the technology license to our clients.

What is an Innovation Capitalist?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An Innovation Capitalist is a type of innovation intermediary.

Innovation capitalists are firms, often with a particular industry expertise, that seek out and evaluate ideas and technologies from the inventor community and other external sources. One type develops and refines those ideas to the point where their market potential is validated, and they then sell the rights to the innovation to large client firms. Another form of innovation capitalist seeks out ideas and technologies under contract from large client firms; develops and refines those ideas to the point where their market potential is validated, then sells the rights to the innovation to their client. Both types of innovation capitalist invest in the technology in order to reduce the client company�s acquisition costs and early-stage risks. In return, they share in the proceeds from the innovation.

The term Innovation Capitalist was coined by Prof. Satish Nambisan of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Professor Mohanbir Sawhney of Northwestern University in their article in the Harvard Business Review of March 2007.

Isn't the market saturated with companies that do what IP2Biz does?
Certainly there are numerous patent attorneys, licensing agents, brokers, incubators, consultants, analysts and investors working with early stage technology and all are part of the innovation intermediary space. But, we are neither a broker nor an incubator. The difference? We invest our own funds! We are one of the very few companies that methodically invests incremental capital in discovering and developing technologies and moving them toward commercialization.

How does IP2Biz differ from a business incubator?
Our business focus is serving our clients by moving technology through the commercialization continuum. Together with our clients we evaluate very early stage technology, validate it and jointly invest in it with the goal of demonstrating the technology's commercial potential. Then we sell it to our clients to integrate into their existing or new product mix. Unlike incubators, we do not fund and nurture startup companies.

Do you design products? Are you product develpers?
Through our IPScout service, we unearth early stage technologies that meet our client's needs. Then we jointly invest with them to demonstrate the commercial value of the technology. If the value is proven, we sell the technology to our clients. It is our clients who design and develop the products based on the technolgies we jointly unearth.

Who are your clients?
Every day, IP2Biz monitors (and unearths) new technologies that can impact industry. Our most successful clients are in these industries:

Companies that make things
Companies that are technology enabled
Companies that are Fortune 1000 in size (although we have some very happy smaller clients)
Companies that have either centralized or de-centralized R&D
Companies that are so busy with "D" that very little "R" is accomplished.

How does IP2Biz stay on top of so many technological advances in so many markets?
We search for new technologies with a laser-like focus; our client's needs! We have established an extensive network of researchers and universities that work with us. At last count, more than 500 researchers in over 200 universities. And, our trusted relationship with key researchers allows us to see their undisclosed technologies.

What is IPScout^SM?
IPScout is for companies looking for the next generation technology that can enhance their market position. IPScout is a subscription-based advisory service that helps our clients gain visibility to previously unseen technologies and provides expansive information on technologies that can impact their strategic position.

How does IPScout work?
Through a joint discovery process with our clients, we scan for technologies that fit their needs, unearth the most promising, screen them for marketability and provide detailed market studies of the most relevant technologies. Often, we then jointly invest with our clients in a ProofCo^® project designed to demonstrate the commercial value of the technology.

What are the benefits of IPScout?
Our clients benefit by seeing breakthrough technologies that others can't ... and avoiding being surprised. Our clients are able to: evaluate technology against similar technologies; see what their competitors might be reviewing; and gain insight into evolving technologies that can have direct strategic impact.

Our proven process allows you to remain in control of technology commercialization while gaining a competitive advantage and reducing risk during technology acquisition. Additionally, we provide a more cost effective way of working with universities. Our clients only invest capital in new technologies after seeing the commerical potential demonstrated.

What are the deliverables with IPScout and how is it priced?
The deliverables are new technologies that meet your nascent project needs. A detailed analysis of selected technologies provides the business case for further investment. We work collaboratively with your staff, but with very minimal impact on their time. We do all the heavy lifting. Cost-effectively packaged and priced, the IPScout subscription is for a minimum of one year, renewable thereafter.

Do you have experts in all industries?
We search for new technologies with a laser-like focus; our client's needs! We have established an extensive network of researchers and universities that work with us. At last count, more than 500 researchers in over 200 universities. And, our trusted relationship with key researchers allows us to see their undisclosed technologies.

Can IPScout find a new technology for me to launch next year?
Our goal is to help you find technologies to help you navigate your long-term roadmap. Therefore, we focus on your technology interests that are at least two years out into the future.

How does IPScout work with multi-divisional companies?
We understand corporate processes that guide technology acquisition. In particular we understand that each of our clients has a unique process that works for them. In the past, we have both individualized programs for each division and created a master program that works across multiple divisions or business units. After discussing your goals, we are sure that we can jointly agree on the best approach to meet your needs.

What is a ProofCo and what does it include?
A ProofCo project - which stands for "proof of commercialization" is a designed to demonstrate the commercial potential of a technology. There is no overhead so that the funds are spent efficiently only to demonstrate value. The goals are jointly developed with our clients. The ProofCo is managed tightly. It has no overhead and operates systematically (and relentlessly) within the IP2Biz process. We do all the work, with frequent progress reporting to our client.

How is a ProofCo valued and priced?
Our joint ProofCo projects are priced to reflect factors such as project management expenses, sponsored research costs, patent prosecution expenses and project risk. Since every ProofCo is unique, every ProofCo will vary in its required investment.

What do you mean by clean, packaged IP?
First, "clean" means that the intellectual property rights behind the technology are free and clear of any encumbrances, with the patent filings found to be solid and safe. "Packaged" describes the bundling of all the applicable IP assets including any additional research and development, market analyses and strategic recommendations for commercialization.

How fast is "The Fast Track from IP to Industry?"
Typically 6 to 18 months. Each ProofCo project is unique, as well as its timetable.