Patents are property rights granted by the government to exclude all others from making, using, selling or importing anything that uses or incorporates the patented invention (usually described as a new, useful and non-obvious method or process, described in enough detail that it can be reduced to practice). Instagram is a textbook example.) MORE >>

You can minimize risk by performing due diligence when selecting a company or individual to work with, clearly defining the project scope, expectations and milestones in any development contracts, and allocating enough money to hire competent developers. Brett Miller is the president of Custom Software by Preston (CSP). Please help! MORE >>

Example: Before releasing further details, the party offering this business for sale requires a signed confidentiality agreement. Brokers require interested parties to provide financial capability and non-disclosure agreements before receiving additional information. It's important for reaching your own exit goals. MORE >>

Here are some quick (and rather obvious) points that really help your company to be investment ready: Even a start up company easily stacks up lot of agreements and other formal documents (such as board meeting minutes or Tekes documentation). Get legal advice at least on your most important agreements. This should be rather obvious. MORE >>

During the due-diligence process, I sat down with one of the partners who pulled out a set of slides and asked me: ”Have you seen these?”  We consciously didn’t ask potential customers to sign a  Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Would have getting a signed confidentially agreement deterred this person?&# MORE >>