When I ask start-up teams how strong they think their IP portfolio is, the most common answers are:
- “We have X patents granted.”
- “Our patents cover everything in our field.”
- “We filed before anyone else.”
But here’s the truth: a strong IP portfolio isn’t about numbers. And it isn’t about getting patents granted fast, either.
Quality Over Quantity
A strong IP portfolio is about quality over quantity.
It’s about:
- Relevance — Are the patents aligned with the technology that’s actually being applied?
- Leverage — Can the IP protect the value the company is creating in the market?
- Strength under pressure — Will the patents survive legal scrutiny when it really matters?
The final test of a patent is not what the patent examiner says. The final test is what a Judge says — often years later, under high-stakes conditions.
Common Portfolio Weaknesses
If your patents were written broadly but sloppily… If they were rushed through prosecution just to get a grant notice… If they were written without full technical understanding of your future direction… Then they may not hold up when they’re most needed.
And worse — they may lull you into a false sense of security.
Strategic Assets, Not Just Patent Numbers
A strong IP portfolio is more than a list of patent numbers. It’s a tool to shape the market, delay or block competitors, support partnerships, and secure funding.
To achieve this, every element of the portfolio must be:
- Carefully selected — not everything should be patented
- Grounded in your actual R&D and future technical trajectory
- Tied to the business strategy and the specific value propositions of your products
Special Considerations for Agri/Food-tech and Alt Proteins
This is especially critical in fields like Agri/Food-tech and Alt Proteins, where:
- Regulatory timelines are long
- Tech pivots are frequent
- Competitive advantage depends on subtle biological know-how and integration
Filing too much, too early, on vague ideas? That’s not ip strategy — it’s waste.
Filing thoughtfully, after validating technical feasibility and market relevance? That’s being IP-savvy.
Conclusion
As a Fractional IP Director, I work with companies to move from “we have patents” to “we have strategic assets that serve our business.”
Three Key Takeaways:
- Quality trumps quantity — A strong IP portfolio focuses on relevance, leverage, and ability to withstand legal scrutiny rather than simply accumulating patent numbers.
- Strategic alignment is essential — Every patent should be carefully selected, grounded in actual R&D trajectory, and tied directly to business strategy and product value propositions.
- Timing and validation matter — Filing thoughtfully after validating technical feasibility and market relevance is more valuable than rushing to file on vague ideas, especially in complex fields like agri/food-tech where regulatory timelines are long and pivots are common.
