How Smart Beauty and Fashion Founders Use IP to Increase Company Valuation

Most fashion and beauty founders have never thought about their intellectual property as something that increases company valuation, but it might be the single most valuable asset in the business. Trademark attorney Jessica Eaves Mathews explains why intangible assets now represent roughly 92 percent of S&P 500 market capitalization, and how founders can use IP strategically rather than just defensively. In this video, Jessica breaks down what investors actually look for in IP due diligence, starting with completed trademark registrations and a clean chain of title. She explains a problem that surprises many founders during due diligence: a contractor who built your logo, website, or product photography may still legally own that work if there was never a written assignment in place. She also introduces trade secrets as an overlooked IP category, covers how brand licensing became a $314 billion market, and lays out a five-step IP audit any business can start today. What's covered: Why intellectual property drives the majority of company valuation What investors examine during IP due diligence Why a contractor may still own the work you paid for Trade secrets and how to actually protect them A five-step framework for auditing your IP portfolio If any of this applies to your business, book a free consultation: https://www.leveragelegalgroup.com/co... TIMELINE: 00:00 Why intellectual property is a valuation driver founders overlook 0:24 Intangible assets now drive 92 percent of S&P 500 market cap 1:06 Rhode's billion dollar acquisition and the power of IP 1:41 Why patent owning startups attract more venture capital 2:25 What investors examine first: trademark registrations 3:56 Chain of title: tracing ownership of every piece of IP 5:15 The IP assignment problem common in fashion and beauty 6:03 How to fix missing IP assignment agreements 7:01 Trade secrets as an overlooked intellectual property category 9:00 Using IP as leverage in funding and acquisition talks 9:49 Brand licensing as a 314 billion dollar market 11:05 The five-step IP audit framework 12:49 Why the audit should happen now, not during a deal Get the Founder’s Guide to Protecting Your Brand, IP, and AI Strategy: https://www.leveragelegalgroup.com/co... Reach Jessica: Jessica@leveragelegalgroup.com 206-465-5334 or 888-505-5838 Website: https://www.LeverageLegalGroup.com/ LinkedIn:   / jessicaeavesmathews   #intellectualproperty #fashionbrand #beautybrand #trademarkattorney #companyvaluation