As you scale, investors are looking at more than the potential of your IP, says Mathias Karlhuber. They now want to know whether it can support future growth and withstand any attacks

Mathias Karlhuber

In later rounds of funding, investors will closely review how well your intellectual property can support your future growth and how vulnerable it might become to attack. Following an investment, as you gain a higher profile and make more of an impact, your portfolio and your fortitude will be tested not just by your competitors, but by a variety of non-practising entities (NPEs) who own the IP without offering any products or services.