American ingenuity is often characterized as “make do with what you have.” The idea is to be innovative and adapt to solve problems and improve life for everyone, and it is a hallmark of American innovation.
The heroic age of American startups produced mythic figures such as Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison who created new industries using their inventions, while also achieving great fame.
Many large corporations, such as AT&T, DuPont and others, established research and development laboratories where Ph.D. scientists developed breakthrough technologies like long-distance phone, nylon, lasers, microchips, and transistors.
All patents were owned by the company.
This led to the belief that corporate R&D labs are the source of invention, replacing independent inventors.
The world thrives on ingenuity. From the lone inventors of the 19th century to today’s startup founders working on laptops in garages, innovation has always been the foundation of progress. American entrepreneurship, in particular, has been defined by a relentless drive to solve problems, challenge norms, and build new industries from the ground up.
Many of today’s most successful businesses started with a single idea and an unwavering belief in its potential. But turning an idea into reality isn’t just about building a product or service—it’s about protecting it. That’s where PatentPC comes in.
For startup founders, intellectual property (IP) isn’t just legal paperwork—it’s their biggest asset. And yet, many overlook it until it’s too late. In this article, we’ll explore the ingenuity of startup founders, the critical role patents play in their success, and why working with a strategic IP partner like PatentPC can mean the difference between becoming an industry leader and getting left behind.
The above graph shows that US patents granted individually outnumbered corporate patents until 1933 and account for almost half of all patents from 1950 to 1950. Even though corporations overtook patent activities after 1950, individuals still produce between 10,000 and 15,000 patents per year.
However, this graph is not painting the correct picture. Today’s individual inventors are still alive and well. They now appear as founders of startups cooking up the great unicorn ideas on their computers. Look at Mark Zuckerberg when you browse Facebook, that was a lone inventor with a computer.
“Despite the great mass organizations which compete with him,” Business Week observed in 1929, “the individual, genius type of inventor still holds the field as the most important single source of new ideas. . . . He has a hard fight, but holds his own pretty well against the regimented scientists of industry.” That still rings true today for our startup founders.
They’re the modern-day inventors, pushing boundaries in AI, biotech, fintech, and countless other industries. However, unlike the 19th century, today’s startups don’t just compete with each other—they battle billion-dollar corporations with teams of lawyers ready to challenge or copy their ideas.
That’s why patents are critical. They level the playing field, giving startups the legal ammunition to defend their innovations. But navigating the patent system isn’t easy. It’s complex, time-sensitive, and full of pitfalls that can destroy a startup before it even gets off the ground.
This is where PatentPC comes in. We don’t just file patents; we create bulletproof IP strategies that ensure your innovation remains yours.
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos wasn’t the first person to sell books online. But what set Amazon apart wasn’t just its vast selection or aggressive pricing—it was the seamless checkout experience. In 1999, Amazon secured a patent for its 1-Click ordering system, a simple yet revolutionary technology that allowed customers to make purchases with a single click, bypassing the usual checkout process.
Amazon’s One-Click Patent: A Game Changer
This wasn’t just a small convenience—it was a competitive moat. By removing friction from online shopping, Amazon dramatically increased conversions. And because the system was patented, competitors couldn’t replicate it without facing legal consequences.
The power of the 1-Click patent became clear when Apple licensed the technology for iTunes and the App Store. Steve Jobs, always ahead of the curve, recognized that streamlining the purchase process would drive revenue. Apple didn’t try to build a workaround—they paid Amazon to use it.
For years, Amazon’s patent forced competitors to either develop more complex checkout processes or license the technology. This single innovation helped Amazon dominate e-commerce, proving that a smartly protected idea is just as valuable as a great business model.
But here’s the kicker—the patent expired in 2017. The moment it became public domain, competitors rushed to implement one-click ordering. While Amazon had already secured its market leadership, this serves as a lesson: patents don’t last forever.
For startup founders, the takeaway is clear—the right patent, at the right time, can define your success. And yet, many brilliant founders neglect their IP strategy until it’s too late. That’s where PatentPC comes in.
Patents as a Startup’s Greatest Asset
Startups live and die by their ability to innovate. But an innovation without protection is just an invitation for competitors to steal it.
Look at the biggest tech success stories—Amazon, Google, Tesla, Apple. They didn’t just create groundbreaking products. They secured them.
A strong patent strategy does three things for a startup:
- Blocks competitors from copying you – A well-crafted patent ensures that even well-funded giants can’t replicate your innovation without serious legal consequences.
- Increases your company’s valuation – Investors don’t just look at revenue; they want to see defensible assets. A startup with a solid patent portfolio is far more attractive than one without IP protection.
- Opens up licensing opportunities – Some of the most successful startups make money not just from selling products, but from licensing their patents. This creates additional revenue streams and strengthens long-term viability.
But here’s the problem—most startups either don’t file patents early enough or file weak ones. A rushed, poorly structured patent is as good as worthless. This is why working with an experienced IP firm like PatentPC is critical.
At PatentPC, we don’t just file patents—we build a strategy around them. We anticipate legal challenges, consider your business growth plans, and ensure your patents are strong enough to withstand scrutiny.
Google’s PageRank: The Patent That Built a Tech Empire
Imagine a world where Google never patented its PageRank algorithm—the core technology that made its search engine better than Yahoo or AltaVista.
That’s a world where Google might have been just another forgotten search engine.
Larry Page and Sergey Brin understood that their algorithm, which ranked web pages based on inbound links and relevance, was a game-changer. They patented it early, ensuring that no competitor could legally copy their ranking system.
That patent protection gave Google a massive competitive advantage. By the time other search engines realized how powerful the algorithm was, they couldn’t just duplicate it. They had to find alternatives—none of which worked as well.
Google’s first-mover advantage wasn’t just about launching early; it was about securing its innovation. This is what allowed it to dominate the market and turn search into a billion-dollar business.
The same principle applies to today’s startups. If you have a breakthrough idea, the worst thing you can do is leave it unprotected. The moment your product gains traction, bigger players will notice—and they won’t hesitate to take your idea if you haven’t secured it.
That’s why startups need an IP partner like PatentPC. We don’t just file patents—we think several steps ahead. Our team ensures that your patents aren’t just legal documents, but strategic assets that protect your growth.
Square’s Jack Dorsey
The company’s founder, Jack Dorsey, is one of the most prominent tech figures, and he has many patents to his name. He’s also an experienced speaker on the latest innovations in fintech. Besides Square, he also founded Block, which revolutionized mobile payments. In addition, he’s also working on hardware wallets for bitcoin and blockchain transactions. The wallets will have fingerprint sensors to secure transactions. They will also feature rechargeable lithium polymer batteries and a USB-C port.
Dorsey has long been a supporter of Bitcoin and believes in Bitcoin as a single currency. Square also integrated Bitcoin in its payment system last year, and Dorsey has disclosed that he spends $10k on Bitcoin every week. In December, Dorsey announced the formation of a new research team called Bluesky, which aims to develop open technical standards for social media platforms.
Square is also accused of patent infringement. The lawsuit was filed by an engineering professor from Washington University, claiming that he invented the Square card reader and corresponding magnetic stripe. The university’s lawsuit claims that Square’s Square app and card reader were based on an invention invented by Professor Morley.
While Twitter’s CEO Jack Dorsey was once the CEO of Twitter, he now focuses most of his time on Square. After all, the Twitter CEO’s role changed frequently and he doesn’t attend board meetings for Square. The CEO, who has many priorities, is a big proponent of cryptocurrency and has made several investments in the field.
However, Square is determined to fight the lawsuit. The company has been fighting the patent lawsuit for a couple of years. The square patents are assigned to another company, and McKelvey sued Square in 2010 claiming that his name was left off of important patents. The case is currently pending before the Patent and Trademark Office.
In a recent interview with Reuters, Square’s Jack Dorsey said that the company wants to help promote cryptocurrency adoption. “We need to ensure that it’s open to all.” But how will Square do that? The company has just launched a new initiative called the Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance. The organization’s goal is to promote free access to blockchain technology in the digital asset industry and fight off patent trolls.
uBiome’s Sam Wen
Sam Wen is one of the most famous startup founders, and has filed for patents to protect his inventions. This includes pending patent applications and patents that were already granted by the USPTO. Here’s his background. He has an undergraduate degree in electrical and computer engineering from Washington University in St. Louis and is a member of Founder’s 50.
Despite being liquidated in October, uBiome’s patents were sold for $8 million to a Korean company through auction. This was a good result for uBiome’s creditors. This sale represents a partial recovery of the investment the company made in its IP.
The uBiome patents cover a variety of technologies used to characterize the microbiome. The patents cover methods for sampling, laboratory automation, computational approaches and molecular techniques. The company also holds several other patents on diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Currently, the uBiome database contains over 250,000 samples from people around the world. The company projects that the number of samples will grow to 1 million by the end of this year.
Throughout the sale process, uBiome plans to maintain its Explorer(tm) product. It also plans to continue growing its commercial and academic partnerships. Additionally, it has secured debtor-in-possession financing from Silicon Valley Bank and 8VC. These funds will help uBiome meet its commitments and maximize its chances of successfully selling its assets.
The uBiome patents are the core of a business model that could help consumers make better health decisions. The company had been valued at $600 million at one point. However, its recent collapse has led to the sale of its patents to a DNA testing outfit called Psomagen. Psomagen is a subsidiary of South Korean biotech Macrogen and employs 25 people in Maryland. Psomagen paid $7 million for the intellectual property and patent portfolio of uBiome.
uBiome’s patent technology enables companies to characterize the microbiome and develop a therapeutic model for it. With these data, it is possible to predict the likelihood of occurrence of specific microbiome functional features in a person and to modify their microbiota accordingly with probiotics or prebiotics.
The uBiome SmartGut product uses artificial intelligence, machine learning and sequencing to provide results for patients with gut-related conditions. However, the product is not yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The testing is also not standardized, and differences in sample preparation and data analysis may skew the results.
SxanPro’s mobile scanning technology
SxanPro, a small woman-founded medtech startup, recently secured a patent for mobile scanning technology. This technology makes it easy for hospitals to keep track of inventory and manage their medical supplies. It also eliminates manual processes that can be time-consuming and wasteful, freeing up valuable resources for patient care.
SxanPro’s mobile scanning technology has already been used by medical professionals and hospitals in more than 100 countries. Its mobile app enables physicians to perform MRIs anywhere they are. The mobile app also gives physicians quick access to patient records. The company’s mobile app offers doctors a convenient way to view patient records, as well as help doctors and nurses perform their duties more efficiently.
SxanPro’s mobile scanning technology has become an industry standard, and it is now available to physicians in any part of the world. It is now used in over 250 hospitals and 30,000 care centers worldwide, with more than 60 million patient visits per year.
Fujifilm also filed a large number of patents in this field in the last few years. It accounted for almost twice as many patent families as Olympus in the same sub-area. In the sub-area of Endoscopic devices, Fujifilm filed 819 patent families, while Olympus had 357 patent families.
Boston Scientific is a global medical solution company that ranks 5th in medical device patents. It collaborates with partners to develop new products and services that improve the health of patients around the world. It acts quickly, adapts to change, and holds itself accountable to its mission. Its recent acquisition of NxThera, which treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a good example of its agile, global approach to innovation.
SxanPro’s mobile scanning technology has been patented by the US Patent Office. This innovative mobile scanning technology is an innovative way to scan a patient on-the-go, and can help doctors see more detail during a procedure. Its mobile capabilities make it a highly portable medical device, which is a key feature for hospitals and other health care providers.
The Costly Mistakes Founders Make with Patents
Patents can be a startup’s most valuable asset—or their biggest missed opportunity. Many founders make critical mistakes when it comes to protecting their innovations.
1. Waiting Too Long to File
Most founders don’t think about patents until they’re fundraising or facing competition. By then, it’s often too late.
The U.S. operates on a “first to file” system. That means whoever files first owns the patent—even if they weren’t the first to invent it.
A classic example? The battle between Alexander Graham Bell and Elisha Gray. Both men were working on the telephone, but Bell filed his patent first—securing credit for the invention.
For today’s startup founders, the lesson is clear: if you wait, someone else will patent your idea.
PatentPC ensures you don’t get left behind. We work fast to secure your innovation before competitors can even think about copying it.
2. Filing Weak or Narrow Patents
Not all patents are created equal. A weak or narrowly written patent is easy to bypass. Many founders assume that if they have a patent, they’re protected—but in reality, if the patent isn’t airtight, competitors can find ways around it.
At PatentPC, we don’t just file patents—we engineer them for real-world defense. We structure your claims strategically, so your patent is broad enough to protect your business, but strong enough to hold up in court.
3. Assuming a Patent Alone is Enough
A patent is not a business model. Many founders think, “I have a patent, so I’m safe.”
But a patent is only powerful if you enforce it. You need a strategy—whether that’s licensing, defending against infringement, or using it as leverage in negotiations.
That’s why PatentPC doesn’t just help you file patents—we help you use them strategically to strengthen your business.
Why PatentPC is the Best IP Partner for Founders
Most law firms treat patents as paperwork. We treat them as strategic weapons.
At PatentPC, we understand that a startup’s future depends on its IP. That’s why we offer:
✅ Tailored IP strategies – Every startup is unique. We craft patents that align with your specific business goals and industry threats.
✅ Proactive patent protection – We think ahead, anticipating future challenges and ensuring your patents are bulletproof.
✅ Speed & precision – Timing is critical. We work fast to secure your patents before competitors can react.
✅ Full-service IP support – From initial filing to litigation, we handle everything.
Protect Your Startup Before It’s Too Late
Every startup begins with a big idea. But only those who protect their ideas survive.
The startup world is ruthless. Investors won’t take you seriously without defensible IP. Competitors will try to copy you the moment you gain traction. And billion-dollar companies won’t hesitate to crush you if they can.
Don’t let that happen.
Book a call with PatentPC today. Let’s ensure your startup isn’t just another great idea—it’s a market leader.
