Startups, investors and intellectual property

Getting a startup off the ground is daunting. For most, success rides not on an inspiring business model, impressive pedigrees or even jaw-dropping technology, but rather a startup’s ability to raise capital.

There are many factors that weigh heavily in determining whether a startup will walk out of a meeting with funding, but two stand out: a world-class management team and the existence of a competitive advantage.

By any measure there are vast resources ready to be invested in new, innovative companies, but access to that wealth is as difficult as ever. Investors have rediscovered that carefully thought out due diligence is…