In a recent LinkedIn post, Kathryn V. highlights critical intellectual property (IP) considerations for founders, cautioning against the common practice of prematurely disclosing innovations before adequate protection is in place. As a former United States Patent Examiner, Kathryn V. draws on her extensive experience to underscore the potential pitfalls of the popular “build in public” and “pitch early” mantras.
The Perils of Premature Disclosure
Kathryn V. points out that the drive to move fast, a hallmark of startup culture, can inadvertently lead to irreversible IP damage. She emphasizes that actions taken before securing proper protection, such as sharing product details, pitching to investors, or even demonstrating an MVP, can have significant consequences.
“In intellectual property, waiting to protect or rushing to market without diligence can permanently cost you ownership and the right to sell.”
According to Kathryn V., many founders are unaware of how public disclosures can work against them. She explains that a go-to-market strategy lacking IP due diligence can expose a company to infringement risks even before its first sale.
Bridging the Knowledge Gap for Founders
Drawing from her background as a former U.S. Patent Examiner, Kathryn V. observes a recurring pattern where founders lose valuable leverage, ownership, and years of hard work due to a lack of timely IP guidance.
“As a former United States Patent Examiner, I spent years deciding which inventions received patents and which did not. Today, I see founders lose leverage, ownership, and years of work simply because no one gave them this information at the right moment.”
To address this critical gap, Kathryn V. is set to mentor the inaugural Founder Institute Seattle cohort, focusing on all aspects of IP. In preparation, she will be presenting a session specifically for founders covering key topics such as:
- What constitutes a public disclosure.
- The optimal timing for seeking IP protection.
- Strategies for market entry without infringing on existing patents.
- The true meaning and implications of “patent pending.”
- Remedial actions for founders who may have already shared too much information.
Maintaining Momentum Through Prudent Protection
Kathryn V. clarifies that her intention is not to impede entrepreneurial progress but rather to ensure that founders can maintain their strategic options and safeguard their innovations.
“This is not about slowing founders down. It is about keeping doors open. Ownership intact. And futures protected.”
She asserts that founders building significant innovations deserve to be equipped with this knowledge before potential IP issues arise, which could jeopardize their entire venture.
“If you are building something that matters, you deserve to know this before it costs you everything.”
Kathryn V. announced these insights in anticipation of her presentation for the Founder Institute Seattle’s spring program. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, February 25th, at 11:00 AM PT, and will be held virtually. Details for saving a spot were noted as being available in the comments section of her original post.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Kathryn V. on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on January 29, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →