Build an IP Strategy That Protects Your Innovation and Attracts Investors
A one-on-one strategy session with a patent attorney to help you determine what to patent and how to protect your startup.
What This Session Is
This is not a free consultation.
The IP Strategy Session is designed for founders making real patent decisions with real consequences. The session is a focused discussion where we:
- Review your technology and architecture
- Assess existing or planned patents
- Identify exposure, gaps, and leverage
- Align patent strategy with business goals
You leave with clarity and a recommendation, not generic advice.
Who This Session Is For
Who This Session Is For
✔ Startup founders developing a new technology
✔ Entrepreneurs preparing to raise funding
✔ Inventors unsure whether their invention is patentable
✔ Companies concerned about competitors
Not for
✘ Idea only inventors
✘One off filing requests
What You’ll Gain From the Session
During this strategy session, we will discuss your technology and business goals to develop an initial IP strategy.
You will walk away with guidance on:
- Whether your invention is likely patentable
- What aspects of your technology may be most valuable to protect
- Whether patents, trade secrets, or both may be appropriate
- When to file patents relative to product development and launch
- How intellectual property can support fundraising and investor discussions
- Mistakes founders commonly make when protecting their inventions
The goal is to help you avoid costly mistakes and create a clear path forward for protecting your innovation.
How the IP Strategy Session Works
01
Apply by completing the IP Strategy Session Intake Form.
02
Review & Conversation: Our team reviews your application and may schedule a brief call to confirm fit.
03
Engagement & Retainer: If appropriate, we’ll send an engagement letter and request a retainer.
04
Session Scheduled: Once the engagement letter is signed and the retainer is received, we’ll schedule your IP Strategy Session.
Important: No attorney‑client relationship is established or will be established until an engagement letter is signed.
About the Attorney
The session is led by Babak Akhlaghi, a patent attorney who advises startups, inventors, and technology companies on intellectual property strategy.
In addition to helping innovators protect their inventions, Babak teaches Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland, where he works with students and founders on the legal challenges of building technology companies.
His work focuses on helping innovators turn their ideas into protected, valuable intellectual property.
Why IP Strategy Matters for Startups
Many founders believe the first step is simply filing a patent. In reality, successful companies develop an intellectual property strategy that aligns with their business goals.
A thoughtful IP strategy can help:
✔ Prevent competitors from copying key technology
✔ Strengthen your position with investors
✔ Increase company valuation
✔ Create long-term competitive advantages
This session is designed to help you start thinking about intellectual property as a business strategy, not just a legal formality.
Engagement Tiers
Once you engage us, we begin with an IP Strategy Session. This session is diagnostic and advisory in nature and is designed to evaluate your technology, risk profile, and business objectives. The IP Strategy Session is not tied to a specific engagement tier. Only after completing the session do we recommend whether—and how—to move forward under an appropriate engagement structure.
The following engagement tiers reflect the types of long‑term relationships we may recommend after completing an IP Strategy Session:
Tier 1: Foundation IP Roadmap
Typically recommended for early‑stage technology companies.
Scope
- IP strategy & roadmap
- Competitive analysis
- Drafting and filing of one core patent application
- 12-month IP plan
Timeline: 8–12 weeks
Investment: $15K–$25K
Tier 2: Growth Portfolio Program
Typically recommended for companies preparing for fundraising or competitive scaling.
Scope
- Everything in Tier 1
- 2–4 patent applications over 12 months
- Continuation strategy
- Ongoing portfolio reviews
- Fundraising alignment
Timeline: 12 months
Investment: $40K–$75K
Tier 3: Scale & Defense Partnership
Typically recommended for companies operating in competitive or global markets.
Scope
- Everything in Tier 2
- Five or more filings
- International strategy
- Competitive threat monitoring
- Diligence & acquisition support
Timeline: Ongoing
Investment: $100K–$200K+ annually
What Our Clients Say About Us
Colin Deckner
Was the right patent attorney for what I needed. Currently Patent Pending thanks to This Firm!
Akshay Biswas
All around great patent firm. I was really able to communicate with the attorneys about the details that I wanted to protect in my invention.
Janet Thompson
I cannot recommend NovoTech Patent Firm highly enough! From our first meeting, Babak Akhlaghi and David Moorman demonstrated an unmatched ability to listen carefully and understand the core of my…
J. Boulware
From the very beginning of my patent journey, working with this firm has been an outstanding and truly professional experience. My invention is a complex, multi-layered technology platform. The team…
Steve Munkeby
Testimonial for NovoTech Patent Firm and Babak Akhlaghi, Patent Attorney & Director Working with NovoTech Patent Firm and Babak Akhlaghi has been an exceptional experience. As someone with no prior…
Brent Whitis
This is my second patent attempt, and it appears this one is going to be a SUCCESS !! The people at Novo Tech patent have been ABSOLUTELY AMAZING ! Very…
Vipal Durkal
I have worked as a client of patent lawyers Babak Akhlagi and Joseph Sakevich. They are exceptional in terms of the patents that they draft and the thoroughness of their…
Roscoe Riveredge
Overall, a good firm and a good experience. I think they could have been better at explaining the variable length of the patent application process, but they did a great…
Shea Hartley
Never thought I would have described an interaction with patent lawyers as fun but here we are! Babak and Greg were able to pull together a patent for me in…
Aideen NasiriShargh
NovoTech Patent Firm is an absolute gem for any tech start-up company! Babak and his team exemplify friendliness, high competency, and genuine understanding, care, and support. These are exactly the…
Amin khajehnejad
The team at NovoTech possesses a robust blend of expertise in patent law and technical acumen, which proved invaluable in the process of patenting my technology. Their dedication was evident…
Sohrab Zarrabian
We are delighted with the competent advice and service we have received at NovoTech. Obtaining a patent is a somewhat complicated process that involves many different considerations that can have…
Kimia Samieinejad
We had a great experience working with Babak and Greg regarding our provisional patent application (detailed work, great communication, and excellent results). We are looking forward to working with them…
Ali Tehranchi
We were in need to file a patent under a short deadline, I contacted NovoTech through a referral from a fellow tech founder who have worked with them before. They…
Surface Fabrication & Designs Corp.
NovoTechIP has been very helpful from the very beginning. Sara never hesitated to call us when she needed something clarified which was a great help in the entire process. All…
Bruce Kehr MD
Very responsive. Talented and highly professional. The fees are reasonable. Did extensive patenting work with one of the partners at a prior firm and he is a national thought leader…
Radin Rahimzadeh
As first-time founders with multiple inventions needing patents, my team and I took our time to choose a legal firm that aligned with our culture and would be a good…
Sia Motamed
I couldn’t have hoped for a better experience than I had working with the team at NovoTech IP. From our first consultation, I was put at ease because of their…
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Many patents are filed before a prototype is built. What matters is having a sufficiently detailed description of how the invention works.
The session can provide an initial assessment and strategic guidance, although a full patentability determination typically requires a prior-art search.
The session can still be helpful in discussing portfolio strategy, additional filings, and long-term protection.
Yes. As a patent attorney, discussions are protected by attorney-client confidentiality once a professional relationship is established.
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Schedule Your IP Strategy Session
If you are developing a new technology or startup idea, an early intellectual property strategy can help you avoid costly mistakes and position your innovation for long-term success.
