Episode 107 | Trusted Counsel for Visionaries | Ryan Smith

Written By Greg Toroosian

Ryan and I dig into the legal backbone founders skip until it hurts—how to build an IP strategy that actually matches your business, when patents vs. trade secrets make sense, and why a “north star” patent plan should track where you’re going in 5–10 years, not just what you’re shipping today. We also get into the investor lens on patents (signal, diligence transparency, and moat), what happens to IP if the company pivots—or even shuts down—and why a fractional or early GC can save you 10x the pain later.


Highlights:

  • IP isn’t one-size-fits-all: robotics ≠ SaaS. Start from your future state, not a template.

  • Don’t only patent the v1 widget—protect the core tech that will power versions 2, 3, and 10.

  • Patents can be marketing and diligence assets, not just litigation shields.

  • Regulatory fog ahead: safety (robots), privacy and training data (AI). Plan under uncertainty.

  • Practical hiring tip: bring legal in early (even part-time) so the CEO/CFO aren’t playing quarterback.

Learn more about Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.com/

Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-smith-9874176/

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/

Greg Toroosian
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Episode 105 | Inside the Mind of a Growth-Stage Investor | Manas Punhani