July 07, 2015

Efrat's Message: July 2015 

 

With 2015 reaching its halfway mark, it is time to pause and reflect on what has been one of the most exciting years for us here at Foresight!  Working from the heart of Silicon Valley, we get a front-row seat to the changing trends in technology and valuation, where new business models are emerging on a daily basis.  We continued our rapid growth, adding new clients on both our  IP and Startup services.  Some of our new engagements this year cover promising and emerging fields, such as 3D printing, wearables, AgriTech, HR technology and data center optimization. 

 

While this year has been a somewhat challenging year for IP transactions due to the adverse political and judiciary climate, we are delighted to see that the intersection of IP and startup funding is a thriving area, where investors are taking notice of the value of IP assets in their funding decisions.  One of our clients has just closed a significant round of debt and equity funding based on an IP valuation analysis that we provided, something we rarely see even from our vantage point in Silicon Valley.

 

We continue our efforts to spread the word about the importance of IP strategy through education, media writing and conference speaking.  We are actively involved with Licensing Executive Society (LES), both at the national leadership level (through the IoT committee that I chair), as well as through sponsorship of the LES Silicon Valley chapter. Last March, we sponsored an Internet of Things (IoT) IoT event, featuring an expert panel of speakers from Samsung, Stanford University, and some local startups.

 

One of my personal highlights this year has been my annual Stanford class, which I have taught for the fourth time this year at the Graduate School of Business (GSB). This year we created a new simulation project where the students had a chance to interact with a real-world IP situation and devise strategy and recommendations.  Another personal highlight was being selected for the IAM 300 list of leading IP Strategists for the third year in a row, joining an esteemed group of IP industry leaders.

 

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at our Palo Alto office or in one of several upcoming events that we organize or plan to attend.  We value having you as part of the Foresight family and look forward to the second half of 2015 with great anticipation!

 

Warm Regards,

 

Efrat Kasznik, President

Client Spotlight: 2045Tech (Italy) on Shark Tank!

 

Foresight's client, 2045tech, was selected to appear with its product, Floome, on the inaugural show of the Italian Shark Tank.  Floome is a revolutionary smartphone Breathalyzer that launched in Europe earlier this year (available online and in selected Vodafone stores), and is about to launch in the US later this summer. Click below to watch Marco, Fabio, and Luca's great appearance on the show (which is easy to follow even if you don't speak Italian!). 


 

Floome Presenting on the Italian Shark Tank

 

       

 

New additions: Lynn Dudinsky, Director of IP Services


Foresight is excited to welcome Mr. Lynn Dudinsky as our new Director of IP Services. In his role, Lynn is in charge of providing clients with IP strategy and analysis, leveraging his patent expertise and scientific background to support client needs through the use of analytics tools and experience evaluating the IP of cutting edge research. Lynn received his J.D. from Santa Clara School of Law, where he received the High Tech Law Institute's High Tech Law Certificate.  

 

Prior to joining Foresight, Lynn worked for the Patent Department of Samsung Research America in Silicon Valley. At this job, he supported Samsung researchers who focused on cutting edge technologies primarily related to Samsung's consumer products, including wearables, mobile devices, software, IoT and advanced battery technologies. Lynn also gained experience in patent prosecution by drafting patent applications and interacting with the USPTO while working for a patent prosecution firm during his time at Santa Clara School of Law.

 

Lynn brings a rich scientific background, holding an undergraduate degree in Biology and having also attended graduate school at Texas A&M where he focused on biochemical genetics. Additionally, Lynn served as a microbiologist supporting the safety of NASA astronauts through monitoring and investigative research of in-flight samplings from the Space Shuttle Program and the International Space Station during his time working at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

 

Lynn is based in our Silicon Valley office, and can be reached at: Lynn Dudinsky

 

New Services and Programs: STR-IPTM and Foresight Founders' Program

 

We are always on the lookout for new services to address the growing needs of our clients. Taking a page from the Lean Startup philosophy, we strive to "get out of the building" and get feedback, especially when it comes to our startup clients. Our two latest offerings are good examples of what we discovered:

 

STR-IPTM: Launched at CES in January 2015, STR-IPTM is aimed at technology startups that are looking to build an IP portfolio that aligns with their business goals and would enhance their valuation.  STR-IPTM is particularly important for startups in IP-rich industries, ranging from the Internet of Things (IoT) segments-such as wearables, automotive and home automation-to material sciences such, as Nanotechnology. Foresight's capabilities at the nexus of technology, IP, and valuation, as well as our location in Silicon Valley, uniquely position us to help startups build an IP portfolio that would assist with their overall market successes (see full press release announcing the service).

 

Foresight Founders' Program: We are launching a new program that is focused on startup education and hands-on training through a series of workshops and one-on-one consultations.  The program will be focused on our unique philosophy as it relates to converting innovative ideas into valuable IP and a successful venture.  We are accepting applications in July, and will select up to 15 startups to participate in the first cohort that will take place in August in Palo Alto. Contact us for more information on registration.

 

Foresight in the Media: Studies, Quotes and Blog Highlights 

 

Below are some of our media highlights for 2015.  For a full list, please visit our website.

 

  • IoT White Paper: This 25-page study offers a comprehensive look at the technology trends, IP challenges, business opportunities and emerging revenue models and is a valuable read for any company creating products and services in this growing ecosystem.  
  • Media Quotes: We often get asked to comment on current events related to patents, startup valuations, and the funding climate in Silicon Valley.  CNBC recently published an article where Efrat was interviewed on the phenomenon of "unicorns"-startups with over $1B valuations.