Diligence achieves superior investment returns. Understanding IP assets and risks makes all the difference.

Intellectual property is the core of every technology company. Qualcomm, Thomson, IBM, and Philips operate significant IP licensing businesses generating substantial revenues, profits, and free cash flows. Meanwhile, other companies jeopardize their success through a weak intellectual property strategy. Witness the recent case of RIM, which paid $612 million to settle a single dispute with an adverse patent owner.

Whether engaging in substantial private equity or M&A transactions, today’s investors must understand the prospects and risks associated with IP businesses. ThinkFire’s IP-centric technologists, business strategists, market analysts and patent attorneys have the unique expertise and specialization beyond that available within leading consulting and law firms. We understand the impact and opportunities of intellectual property on business operations, cash flows, and profitability. ThinkFire can assist investors in considering IP issues and opportunities and incorporating them into their investment theses, business cases, and financial models.

ThinkFire’s Diligence and Investment services include:

	IP business and portfolio due diligence analysis
	Support for board members directing portfolio companies
	IP licensing, brokerage, and consulting services for portfolio companies
	Validation of royalty forecasts and evaluation of deal pipeline
	Assessment of IP strategy
	Identification of key obstacles confronting the IP business
	Verification of important IP assets
	Post-investment guidance to directors and partnership with the company to ensure its IP business meets forecasts and properly addresses identified IP issues

	For a leading Private Equity fund contemplating investment in a multi-billion dollar technology company with a large IP business, ThinkFire performed due diligence to determine the future revenue, profit and free cash flow prospects of the IP business.
	For another leading Private Equity fund contemplating investment in a large, distressed technology company, ThinkFire performed due diligence to determine the value of the company's IP portfolio.
	For a major venture fund contemplating an early stage startup investment, ThinkFire evaluated the startup's IP position to determine its ability to defend itself against a field of competitors and use its portfolio for commercial advantage.