An effective approach to innovation isn’t just a collection of activities—it’s a clear trajectory that aligns scientific work, business goals, and competitive positioning into forward motion with direction, magnitude, and purpose. Like a vector in navigation, strategic guidance helps startups avoid costly detours, coordinate R&D with business objectives, and transform innovation into defendable, scalable assets that propel the company toward its targets with precision and confidence.
Every once in a while, a light conversation ends up revealing something deeper about how you operate. Recently, ChatGPT asked me:
“If you were a U.S. pilot, what would your callsign be?”
I asked the Chat to choose for me. The options he suggested turned into a surprisingly accurate reflection of how I work as a fractional IP Director for bio, agri-food, and alternative protein companies.
Three Callsigns, Three Perspectives
We looked at three possible callsigns:
1. “Doc”
This one came from my scientific background — a Ph.D. in Life Sciences and years spent translating complex research into protected, strategic assets. “Doc” is the pilot who stays calm in chaos, understands the underlying systems, and brings scientific clarity to mission planning. It fit well, but it captured only part of the story.
2. “Cipher”
This reflected my role in decoding complexity. A lot of my work involves turning dense technical details, competitive noise, and regulatory constraints into clean, actionable IP strategy. “Cipher” is the one who sees patterns others overlook. Accurate — but still not the full picture.
3. “Vector”
This was the one that immediately felt right.
Direction with Magnitude and Purpose
In aviation, a vector isn’t just a direction — it’s direction with magnitude and purpose. And that’s what an effective IP function should be. Not a scattered list of filings. Not reactive moves. But a clear trajectory that aligns science, business goals, and competitive landscape into forward motion.
That’s how I approach my work:
- Helping startups avoid costly detours
- Aligning R&D with business strategy
- Turning innovation into a defendable, scalable asset
- Guiding companies through complex IP airspace with intention
This approach is fundamental to providing comprehensive IP solutions for startups navigating complex innovation landscapes.
The Professional Metaphor
The more we explored it, the more “Vector” stopped being a nickname and started becoming a professional metaphor.
It represents how I see my role: I don’t just protect innovation — I help direct its movement. I help teams fly smarter, save resources, and reach their targets with clarity and confidence.
So yes, I’ll own it:
Callsign: Vector. Trajectory. Precision. Purpose.
Conclusion
If your company is navigating complex innovation or needs a clearer strategic path, I’m always happy to help you find your optimal vector forward.
Key Takeaways:
- Define direction with magnitude and purpose – Build strategy that combines clear objectives with measurable progress toward business goals
- Align multiple dimensions simultaneously – Coordinate scientific innovation, business strategy, and competitive positioning into unified forward motion
- Navigate with precision, not just protection – Focus on strategic guidance that helps companies reach targets efficiently rather than simply accumulating activities
