The startup rule for patents: file fast, learn faster (Jonas Hagman) | Talk IP to me Ep.5

Jonas Hagman is a European Patent Attorney, IP strategist, and the founder of IPsteading, where he helps SMEs and startup founders turn intellectual property into real leverage for funding, growth, and exits.

In this episode, Jonas joins David Breitenbach (CCO, PatentRenewal.com) to break down why IP so often becomes just a “checkbox” for startups, and how founders can build an IP approach that actually matches their business, product roadmap, and investor reality.

IPcoach by IPsteading:

https://www.ipsteading.com/ipcoach

In this episode, you’ll learn:

◼️ Why startups don’t need “a patent”. They need an IP strategy that asks the right business questions

◼️ Jonas’ “travel agency vs car rental” analogy for what good IP guidance looks like

◼️ How to identify your real IP (and why founders often miss 80% of it)

◼️ The “fast to file, fast to withdraw” approach for moving markets and uncertain roadmaps

◼️ How IP can strengthen investor confidence (and the follow-up questions investors should ask)

◼️ How to use patents as tools: blocking, licensing (paid or free), and building standards

◼️ Red flags that signal a startup is treating IP as a checkbox.. or filing too late

00:00 Intro

01:35 Jonas’ path: why he left classic advisory

03:54 “Translator” between IP and business

05:07 What IPsteading actually does (and why the name)

06:59 First step for founders with no IP knowledge

08:55 The 90 days / 90 months challenge: what to do first

12:13 Building an IP learning culture (take action + protect ownership)

15:05 Finding the right attorney / partner

17:24 IP as tools: block, license, create advantage

18:43 Case story: Ather Energy and the “free license” move

23:05 Startup red flags: weak IP thinking

23:42 Red flag #1 - IP as a checkbox

24:18 Red flag #2 - Filing too late

26:35 How IP rights can help investor relationships

30:00 Why IP seems irrelevant early, but then becomes existential

31:18 How founders should learn IP (free resources + implementation)

32:59 Rapid fire questions

36:20 Outro

Follow Jonas:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-hagman/

Join the PatentRenewal.com’s circle on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/patentrenewalcom

Follow David:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-breitenbach/

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Our website: https://patentrenewal.com/

About us

At PatentRenewal.com, we believe IP renewals should be simple, transparent, and stress-free. We care about innovation and about making IP easier to understand and easier to use.

That’s why we created Talk IP to me, the podcast that brings fresh conversations to the world of intellectual property.

In each episode, innovators, IP experts, founders, and legal minds share real stories, hard-won lessons, and practical insights you can actually apply in your work.

Our goal is simple: make IP feel human, practical, and accessible.