Both Sides of the Table

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The Audacious Plan to Make Electricity as Easy as WiFi

Both Sides of the Table

We hired IP specialists to review prior art. We grilled their IP attorneys. Did anybody hold patents that would prevent us from using this technology? I seldom hire patent attorneys during due diligence but this was too important. We hired OSHA regulatory lawyers.

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What Does the Post Crash VC Market Look Like?

Both Sides of the Table

And since we’re still an owner in 5 out of these 6 businesses we think the upside could be much greater if we’re patient.

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How to Make Sure Professional Services Don’t Take Over Your Software Company

Both Sides of the Table

Importantly, make sure that you retain IP rights to your custom work which needs to be part of the engagement contract. At a minimum co-ownership of the IP. If not specified in contract you might find yourself with future litigation over IP. Integrate PS Work Into Sales & Marketing Processes.

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Remind Me Why I Love You? (Why “In Person” is Everything)

Both Sides of the Table

I then had to review a nefarious IP lawsuit filed against another company and help the CEO figure out whether we should just pay it or join forces with the other companies named and fight it. I left the meeting and had to attend a 3-hour board meeting where two founders have been fighting and each want the other one fired.

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How to Work with Lawyers at a Startup

Both Sides of the Table

Shame about not getting it in legal writing that you owned the original IP. For a very small fee they can get your Delaware C corp registration, make sure that you have IP protection and ensure you didn’t make an early bumbling mistakes that you’ll pay for dearly in the next 7-10 years of hard work.

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How to Shorten Your Sales Cycle and Avoid Wasting Time

Both Sides of the Table

The thing is … what I see many sales execs do is burn up countless hours on mid-level campaigns that get torpedoed when the go up the organization due to lack of budget, a desire to own that core IP or other more pressing organization priorities. If they’re not buying you need to be marketing to them not selling to them.

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Some Career Advice for Aspiring Tech CEOs

Both Sides of the Table

There are many companies with phenomenal IP that is truly differentiated but where the original executive team squandered their opportunity due to inability to sell, market or service customers. There is often money to be made in finding places with under-valued IP. I saved my main point for last. ” (Warren Buffett).