Ideaship

Ideaship is a distinctive entity in the early-stage venture landscape, focusing exclusively on providing patent development capital rather than traditional equity investments. Based in Portland, United States, Ideaship operates as a strategic joint venture between Global Technology Transfer Group (GTT Group), an intellectual property transaction firm, and McAndrews, Held & Malloy, a leading international patent law firm. This unique collaboration provides startups with not only essential funding but also unparalleled expertise in navigating the intricate world of intellectual property, enabling them to construct robust and defensible patent portfolios from their inception.

The firm's specialized model addresses a significant financial hurdle for early-stage companies: the substantial costs associated with securing intellectual property. Ideaship typically invests between $100,000 and $500,000 per company, with these funds specifically allocated to cover all patent-related expenses, including drafting, filing, and prosecution. This non-dilutive capital allows founders to maintain their equity while simultaneously establishing critical intellectual property rights, which are vital for attracting future investment and securing a competitive market position.

In return for this specialized financing, Ideaship generally opts for a small revenue share or royalty on future product sales, or a share of proceeds from a future liquidity event, rather than taking an equity stake. This model ensures their interests are aligned with the success of their portfolio companies without imposing immediate equity dilution. Ideaship targets a diverse array of technology sectors, including deep tech, software, hardware, biotech, and medical device companies, prioritizing those with groundbreaking innovations that stand to gain significantly from robust IP protection. Their approach offers a strategic advantage, allowing startups to channel their limited resources into core product development and market penetration while their intellectual property is expertly managed and funded.