Conduit Partners, a specialist in early stage business-building for technology-based companies, has won a contract to become one of four selected providers of patent appraisal aervices to Invest Northern Ireland (INI), Northern Ireland’s economic development agency. Conduit Partners will join four other service suppliers chosen to deliver consultancy on patenting strategy to companies as part of INI’s established Proof of Concept programme.

Under the new agreement, Conduit Partners will be a selected supplier for the delivery of patent appraisal consultancy to projects and companies engaged in INI’s proof of concept programme. As part of the pre-proof of concept due diligence carried out by INI, selected service providers will assess projects for potential patent infringement and eventual patentability of the concept.

Conduit Partners claims it provides a rigorous IP management programme that extends beyond typical patent lawyer work – from a simple IP health check to understanding the competitive landscape in key markets and clients’ ability to have 'freedom to operate' through to developing complex go-to-market IP strategies.

Commenting on the new contract, Conduit Partners CEO Jon Treanor said, “A rigorous and substantiated appraisal of what is patentable – and also defensible – is absolutely fundamental for organisations looking to commercially exploit technology developments. Using our unique and proven framework, we are able to explore exactly where novel technology or IP sits within a particular industry space to provide a clear roadmap for commercialisation post-proof of concept. We’re very excited to be working with Invest Northern Ireland and look forward to adding significant value to their highly regarded Proof of Concept programme.”