company profiles
and aspirations, and help to fit the timing of applying for patents, designs and trademarks into its own journey plan.
“I am always looking for opportunities to help in other areas by recommending other business advisers who could help it along the way. For example, it may be apparent that we need to apply for a patent to protect an idea so that the business can progress to the next stage, but if funding is an issue, we may also refer the client to someone who could help with that.”
Key issues
In fact, budgets and projected future resources often influence the decision to take out a patent, but these are not the only key issues that influence how the route to market of a specific invention may look. Strachan explained: “When people have an idea or product that they want to monetise, they often think they must immediately protect their IP, and that is often true, but in these early stages their situation can be quite fluid.
“For example, obtaining funding can be a main issue they perhaps need to think about first, or it may be that the commercial implementation of a brilliant idea can only really be known after undertaking market research. That is why our approach is to take the time to find out where they are in their business cycle and product evolution, as well as what their long-term ambitions are.”
Scientifically speaking
The technical and scientific knowledge required in the complex world of IP means patent attorneys frequently have an engineering or scientific background. For Strachan, that expertise is in electronic engineering.
After completing her first degree, she worked with the Patent Office in Newport as a patent examiner, before going on to train as a patent attorney. She specialises in electronics, semiconductors, optoelectronics, robotics and computer-implemented inventions, but has many years’ experience
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – MAY/JUNE 2019
working with innovative companies in a number of different fields.
Her career took a slight detour in 2010 with a move into education. Having trained as a teacher, she spent three years at Gloucester College teaching engineering subjects to apprentices at HNC and HND level.
Knowledge sharing
Strachan’s commitment to learning and education continued when she moved back to the IP world in 2013, this time in private practice, before joining Mathys & Squire in 2018.
She is keen to connect with other professionals who have an interest in supporting start-up and scale- up businesses to run training and support sessions: “We’re planning a number of events for local businesses later this year, so watch this space.”
Brexit talent drain?
For many businesses involved in the R&D sector, uncertainty caused by the UK’s slow-motion exit from the EU is deeply frustrating.
“We just don’t know how it will
affect EU grant funding or what’s going to happen if talented people decide to leave the UK,” said Strachan. “The uncertainty means companies are tending to wait before committing investment to R&D.
“It’s a waiting game that is hitting SMEs and start-ups the hardest because they often need an injection of finance in their early stages. Uncertainty about the future is difficult because speed to market for newly patented ideas and products is often critical.”
Nevertheless, Strachan is confident that the sheer power of conviction that start-ups display, coupled with the exciting range of innovative ideas she has already encountered, should see the Thames Valley’s position as a pipeline for entrepreneurial businesses go from strength to strength.
For more information contact Vicki Strachan at Mathys & Squire or visit the website:
vjstrachan@mathys-squire.com 01865 546155
mathys-squire.com
businessmag.co.uk
61
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
