IP Strategy

IP Strategy

IP Strategy Services: Turning Innovation into Commercial Advantage

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Your IP strategy should do more than protect — it should accelerate growth. With the right IP strategy, your ideas become business assets that attract investors, reinforce market position, and open new revenue streams. Whether you’re a startup building credibility, an SME scaling into new markets, or a corporate innovating at scale, a tailored strategy turns your IP into a commercial advantage.

At Stratagem, we build IP strategies around your goals — not off-the-shelf templates.

We take the time to understand your business, identify where IP can add value, and develop a clear, commercially focused IP strategy that grows with you. From strengthening investor confidence to unlocking licensing deals and driving market expansion, our guidance turns your IP into a tool for long-term success.

What is an IP Strategy?

A great idea alone isn’t enough — without a clear IP strategy, your intellectual property could be underused or unprotected. Developing a strategy for your IP gives you a roadmap to identify, protect, and leverage your innovations in ways that support real commercial growth. It ensures your patents, trade marks, and other IP assets aren’t just protected — they’re aligned with your business goals, from investment and product launch to licensing and expansion.

A smart IP strategy helps you decide what to protect, how to protect it, and when to act. It turns your innovation pipeline into a source of competitive advantage and future revenue. It also reduces risk — by assessing third-party rights and confirming freedom to operate, you can avoid costly disputes and move forward with confidence. Done right, your strategy makes your IP a tool for growth — not just protection.

What is Your Industry?

We support innovation across many sectors. Choose your industry to see how we help innovators like you. Can’t see your sector?
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IP Advice for Chemistry Innovators

IP for Consumer Goods & Service Brands

Life Sciences: Protection and Strategy

Physical Sciences: Strategic IP Advice

How we Work and Your IP strategy Journey

Any IP strategy should do more than protect ideas — it should drive your next stage of growth. At Stratagem, we work alongside you to turn intellectual property into a strategic asset that attracts investors, strengthens your market position, and unlocks new revenue. Whether you’re building from scratch or refining an existing IP strategy, here’s how we guide that journey:
Initial consultation
Every creative asset should have a verified record of authorship, originality, and creation date. Documenting this information strengthens legal protection and makes it easier to enforce rights if challenges arise. Digital files often store metadata, but without organised systems, this valuable evidence can be lost or overlooked.
Detailed IP audit
Most businesses have untapped IP potential. We can go beyond surface-level reviews to uncover hidden value, spot risks, and flag opportunities. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your position before funding, launch, or expansion, we make sure your IP portfolio supports every move.
Customised strategy
A strong patent or trade mark means little without the right plan behind it. We build tailored strategies that connect your IP to real business outcomes — from blocking competitors and supporting partnerships, to opening licensing deals and fuelling long-term growth.
Implementation plan
Great strategy means nothing without action. We translate insight into execution — commercial IP advice giving you a step-by-step plan to bring your IP strategy document to life. With clear milestones, resource planning, and commercial focus, we make implementation seamless and practical, for example by filing patents to protect inventions or working with a company to develop a trade secret policy if they have chosen not to publish.
Ongoing support
Your business evolves, and so should your IP strategy. We stay by your side, with IP portfolio management helping you adjust as markets shift, competitors respond, or new opportunities arise. Our continuous support, including the provision of yearly forecasts, ensures your IP remains a source of value, — not a static asset.
From early-stage planning to long-term commercialisation, we act as a strategic partner — helping you get the most out of your innovation, every step of the way.
IP Strategy

Why Choose Stratagem? Expertise That Transforms IP into Business Growth

Your IP shouldn’t just sit on a register — it should help drive growth, attract funding, and support market expansion. At Stratagem, IP strategy development goes beyond obtaining IP to build IP strategies that deliver real business impact.

Our team brings together legal and commercial expertise to help you turn your patents, trade marks, and licensing opportunities into business tools. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all — every IP strategy is tailored to your commercial goals, competitive landscape, and future growth plans. We’ve worked in-house and on the ground, so we understand what it takes to make IP work in fast-paced, competitive environments.

Over the past 25 years developing intellectual property strategies, we’ve helped businesses across life sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, and consumer goods turn their IP into measurable value. Whether you’re looking to build your first IP strategy or refine an existing one, we’re here to support you. From crafting investor-ready portfolios and negotiating licensing deals to supporting product launches and global expansion, our focus is simple: making your IP work harder for your business.

At Stratagem, we don’t just protect what you’ve built — we help you build what’s next.

Let’s Tailor Your IP Advice to Your Business Type

Choose the option that best describes your organisation. We’ll guide you to the most relevant intellectual property advice and support.
IP Advice for Start-Up

Support for SMEs

Corporate IP Services

Support for Law Firms (UK or Overseas)

Help for Marketing Teams

Investor-Focused IP Services

IP Protection for Design Agencies

What Our Clients Say

Dr. Mark Keane
Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder - Metrasens

“Stratagem provides the perfect combination of strategic advice and IP portfolio management under one roof, making the entire process seamless and efficient. Their ability to truly understand our technology and business needs has been invaluable, and their team feels like an extension of our own. The level of relationship-building and teamwork they bring is exceptional, ensuring that we receive not only expert legal guidance but also practical, strategic input that aligns with our long-term goals. Previously, managing our IP portfolio and tracking competitor publications was a challenge, but Stratagem has completely streamlined these processes for us. Their personal touch and commitment to our success make them a trusted and indispensable partner.”

Hans Fliri
CEO and Chairman - Cypralis

“Stratagem is more than just an IP firm – they’re a trusted partner in our strategy. Their deep understanding of patents and commercial IP management has been instrumental in navigating complex jurisdictional challenges, particularly in the US and Europe. We value their strategic foresight, flexibility, and ability to anticipate challenges before they arise. Having worked in Big Pharma and across multiple IP landscapes, we appreciate the personalised, pragmatic, and commercially driven approach that Stratagem brings to the table. Their expertise has been invaluable in securing key contracts and ensuring our IP remains a business asset rather than just a legal necessity.”

FAQs for Your IP Strategy

How long does it take to develop and implement an IP strategy?
The time it takes to shape a strong intellectual property strategy depends on the complexity of your business, the maturity of your existing IP portfolio, and the clarity of your commercial goals. For many businesses, the initial strategy can be developed within a few weeks, particularly once we have a clear picture of your innovation pipeline, competitive landscape, and future plans.

But implementation is not a one-off task — it’s an ongoing process. As your business grows, enters new markets, or secures funding, your strategy should evolve to keep pace. At Stratagem, our approach to intellectual property strategy is both structured and agile — designed to deliver clarity quickly, while flexing with your business as new opportunities and challenges emerge.

I haven’t filed any IP yet - is it too soon to develop a strategy?

Not at all. In fact, creating an intellectual property strategy early — even before filing your first patent or trade mark — can be a powerful move for your business. A proactive strategy helps you identify what’s worth protecting, when to act, and where protection will deliver the most commercial impact. It also reduces the risk of losing valuable rights through premature disclosure.

Even if you haven’t secured any formal IP protection yet, building a clear roadmap ensures that your decisions are aligned with your product development, funding plans, and commercial priorities. At Stratagem, we regularly work with founders and early-stage businesses to develop forward-thinking IP strategies that turn future ideas into investable assets — long before the first application is filed.

How often should we review and update our IP strategy?
Your IP strategy isn’t something to set and forget — it should evolve as your business does. The most effective IP strategies are dynamic, adapting to new challenges, opportunities, and commercial priorities. We recommend reviewing your strategy before key business milestones, such as product launches, funding rounds, market expansion, or entering strategic partnerships.

For fast-growing companies or those operating in competitive sectors, these moments can come quickly and frequently. Regular check-ins ensure your patents, trade marks, and other IP assets remain aligned with your goals, protect your innovation pipeline, and continue to deliver commercial value. At Stratagem, our intellectual property strategy services include ongoing support to help you reassess, refine, and stay ahead — whatever stage you’re at.

Can an IP strategy adapt as my business grows and changes?
Absolutely — a smart intellectual property strategy should be built for agility. As your business develops, your IP needs will naturally shift. Whether you’re expanding into new markets, diversifying your product line, or attracting fresh investment, your strategy must adapt to maintain relevance and impact.

That means regularly reviewing your IP portfolio — including patents, trade marks, designs, and utility models — to ensure each asset continues to serve your commercial objectives. At Stratagem, our strategy services are built around flexibility and long-term support. We partner with you through each growth stage, refining your approach to keep your protection aligned with market realities and business ambitions.

Can an IP strategy help with international expansion?

Yes — entering global markets without a strong strategy for your IP can expose your business to risk and missed opportunities. Each region has its own legal frameworks, from trade mark territoriality to complex patent systems, and navigating them requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. A well-structured international intellectual property strategy ensures you retain freedom to operate while securing cost-effective exclusivity in the territories that matter most.

At Stratagem, we support businesses through every stage of international growth, from identifying key jurisdictions to managing overseas filings and clearance processes. Our international patent strategy and trade mark expertise help you expand with confidence, ensuring your IP works for your global ambitions — not against them.

How do you measure the success of an IP strategy?
The real value of having a strategy for your IP lies in its commercial impact. Success isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about whether your intellectual property is actively helping to grow your business. You’ll know your strategy is working when it translates into competitive advantage, market share gains, and new revenue streams through licensing, collaboration, or partnerships. For many, it also boosts company valuation and investor appeal, making your business more attractive during funding rounds, acquisitions, or strategic alliances. At Stratagem, we focus on creating intellectual property strategies that are measurable and aligned with your commercial goals — ensuring that your patents, trade marks, and IP assets deliver tangible business value, not just legal protection.
IP Stagegy

Let’s Talk About Your IP Strategy

Your intellectual property should do more than just protect innovation – it should drive business growth. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your competitive position, attract investment, or expand into new markets, a well-crafted strategy in line with your budget is key.

Ready to turn your intellectual property into a growth asset? Let’s create an IP strategy that delivers real commercial results. Contact Stratagem for a free initial consultation.Call us on +44 (0)1223 550740 or complete the form to setup your free consultation.