We helped a tech firm create valuable IP out of their assets. Their IP played a vital role in the transformation from spin-out, to global security software innovator.
Co-founded by CEO Phil Speed, and Professor Rob Young, Lancaster University spin-out Quantum Base has invented, developed and patented a portfolio of unbreakable nanoscale quantum security devices that are simple, scalable, small and cheap.
Led by patent attorney Richard Bray, Appleyard Lees has worked with Quantum Base since their first patent filing in 2016. Fast forward to 2021 and the company now has an impressive, maturing portfolio of 15 patent families, tens of granted and soon-to be granted patents, and targeted trade marks.
Quantum Base’s IP challenge
After Quantum Base’s first patent filing, the firm looked to expand its patent portfolio to protect a vast and growing array of quantum security devices. Like many start-up and spin-out businesses, Quantum Base was acutely aware of the risk of burning through funds. This presented a challenge to IP filing being made a priority.
The Appleyard Lees service
As an experienced patent attorney, Richard Bray understood that filing IP can be critical to the survival of spin-out and start-up companies. Richard made a successful case for awarding the Appleyard Lees growth fund to Quantum Base. The fund facilitated protection for Quantum Base’s wider portfolio, at an early-stage.
Providing a strategic approach to Quantum Base’s specific needs, Appleyard Lees has helped the firm to quickly secure patents in key territories. At the same time, we helped Quantum Base to manage spend on, and speed of, patent filing as a whole.
The result
In 2021, Quantum Base has a portfolio consisting of 13 patent families and in excess of 10 granted and soon-to-be-granted patents. It finds itself in a strong commercial position, in-part due to the value of its IP.
Quantum Base is now well on the way to becoming a pivotal player in security solutions. Its technologies, products and concepts have featured in the likes of Nature, The Royal Society exhibitions, Forbes, Wired and BBC news.