Prepare 4 VC

Patent Hacks? is launching our 1,000 Startup Initiative. By the end of 2025, we aim to provide 1,000 startups with the guidance and resources they need to secure patents, build an IP roadmap, and protect their innovations. We’re making IP accessible, cost-effective, and straightforward to help startups grow, attract investors, and stay competitive. Through this initiative, we offer: 1. Free consultations to identify patentable ideas and learn about prior art searching. 2. Patent preparation support and IP roadmap strategy guidance. 3. Educational resources to demystify IP and help founders leverage IP for funding and growth. We’re excited to help startups turn their innovative ideas into protected assets. If you know any entrepreneurs who could benefit from this program, we’d love to have them join! To apply or learn more, visit the Patent Hacks? 1,000 Startups page at https://lnkd.in/d4-6_TqJ.

?? A New Milestone on the Founder Journey! As founders, there comes a time when we need to dive deeper into the validation of our ideas—not just understanding if customers will buy what we are creating (*more about that below) but exploring if it's truly innovative and protectable. ?? Recently, I embarked on the fascinating process of conducting a Prior Art Search for my invention. Thanks to Patent Hacks? Trevor Skene, recommended by Jason Kraus and Steve Vilkas from Prepare 4 VC. ??♀? The Prior Art Search (I love throwing around technical terms) is a critical step that allows us to evaluate the uniqueness of our product and its potential for securing intellectual property protection, the end goal is a patent! ?? The journey of verifying patentability is as much about testing my idea, and learning as it is about securing rights. A thrilling combination of creativity, research, and strategy fuels innovation. This process has given me a fresh perspective on the rigor needed to turn my idea into a tangible, safeguarded asset. ?? Today, I got the green light that it is unique! As a founder, nothing is guaranteed but data and research are telling me a good story and today I celebrate this step on the journey. *Customer Validation is about seeing if it is a product people (that's you) will spend money on. If it is solving a problem and making something easier to do. If you want to be a beta tester in my Customer Validation - message me. ?? Do you have a Prior Art Search story or have you undertaken a similar journey in your entrepreneurial experience? I’d love to hear your stories! #founder #Patent #intellectualproperty

We are ONE day away from The Abundance Summit and it's time to reveal another ecosystem partner who has stepped up to deliver critical resources for founders and attendees alike. We are proud to welcome Trevor Skene and PatentHacks as an in-kind partner for The Abundance Summit. PatentHacks is a trusted partner of Prepare 4 VC and Boston New Technology (BNT), recognized for their incredible expertise and dedication to empowering entrepreneurs. PatentHacks is generously providing Abundance Summit founders with 1-month free access to their Patent and Trademark Learning Centers, an invaluable resource for navigating the complexities of intellectual property. Additionally, they are extending a 20% discount on their AI-powered patent services, a cutting-edge solution designed to streamline patent processes for innovators and startups. Trevor Skene and the team at PatentHacks have consistently championed founders by offering accessible, impactful solutions. This partnership is a testament to their ongoing commitment to supporting innovation and ensuring entrepreneurs have the tools they need to succeed. #TheAbundanceSummit #PatentHacks #Prepare4VC #BostonNewTech #StartupOasis

Singapore-based LaunchPilot, a platform focused on venture building and startup education, and Mentogram, a university education platform, have partnered with Boston-based Prepare 4 VC to launch the 'New Way to MBA,' a unique program aimed at addressing the skills gap in early-stage startups. This MBA program combines a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and startup skills, providing participants with practical experience and preparing them for leadership roles within the startup ecosystem.

From when Startup World Cup first brought us together to when he held my shoes for me when I was hurt, there have been few people in my life as amazing as Jason -- and while he never looks for praise, and is perfectly content to work with founders, put on great events, and put up with Shweta and I's crazy ways every day, a recent action in which he recognized my work motivated me to write this for him. I know many of us already know that Jason is a good man, and that what he's built with Prepare 4 VC really has made a difference in the lives of startups and in the ecosystem beyond metrics -- but I figured it was about time I did something like this. Not many of us have the privilege of working with someone who is so fundamentally compassionate. We often have to deal with difficult bosses who couldn't care less about us. It is important, in my estimation, to appreciate those who do everything they can to appreciate you too.

"I need a first aid kit to cure all of the wounds from the feedback sessions today??" - Augusto Chesini in our mentor swarm with #Tomoki. All too often in the startup world we focus on the cheerleading side of mentoring and building up founders, which is important and necessary to strengthen the confidence heading into the "real world." It is equally important to take a beating and build up scratches that can be treated with the right prescription and support moving forward I'm very proud of all of our entrepreneurs who took part in the Prepare 4 VC mentor swarm today including Augusto Chesini, Isabella Johnston, John Hopkins, Jenaro Correa, Ravi Srinivasan, Joaquin Casanova Thank you to our incredible mentors and team that participated and helped take these ventures to the next level: Benjamin Hron, Christopher R. Dube, Parna Sarkar-Basu, Ron Zakay, Shweta Agrawal, Steve Vilkas, Trevor Skene, Victoria Yampolsky Hats off to another great mentor swarm and thank you to everyone involved in a great experience!

Five mistakes tech startups should avoid- learn from our branding expert Parna Sarkar-Basu on her latest article belowhttps://zurl.co/JA8F

Special News From Boston New Technology (BNT) and friends! We’re thrilled to announce that Rafael Obando and HubSpot For Startups are partnering with The Abundance Summit as a community partner, offering incredible in-kind resources to our founders and the broader founder audience. Rafael or "Rafa" as I know him, is super kind and a key figure - helping to lead the HubSpot for Startups program in New England, Canada, and Latin America. From the moment we met, the forge started firing and we're incredibly excited to have The Abundance Summit as one of the very first purpose-driven instances of that collaboration. Previous to his 5-year experience at HubSpot, Rafael, a Babson alum, has launched ventures for private investors and funds and has extensive experience mentoring founders on GTM strategy and growth. Rafael will be joining Jason Kraus and Edith Wangare Njage, MSc at the summit’s opening to share a few words about empowering startups with tools and insights for scaling success. #TheAbundanceSummit #startups #TheStartupOasisJournal #BostonNewTech #ArielleForAfrica #hubspot

Over the past few months, Shweta Agrawal, our Co-Director and Chief Product Officer of Boston New Technology (BNT), has been making an extraordinary impact both within BNT and across the broader innovation ecosystem. From her hands-on approach to mentoring startups and entrepreneurs including at Prepare 4 VC for the current cohort, at Dirigo Labs on Product Development and Competitive Analysis, at StartOut and Out in Tech -- the fiery trail this woman blazes often defies description, and yet as you all know I am never one to turn down a challenge of encapsulating it all. Shweta has made consistent and frequent her attendance at special experiences like Mass Technology Leadership Council Unconference and gatherings on AI provided by the excellent Paul Baier, Robotics from the majestic Marita McGinn and her instrumental role in reviving ProductCamp Boston as well as our great conversations with C10 Labs David Berlin, Matt Crane, and more -- one thing I've also discovered: Shweta’s work is always practical, purposeful, and ultimately effective. Her presence was the missing puzzle piece that, attached to BNT, has made all things new. Her ability to connect vision with action has made her a driving force behind meaningful progress, whether it’s guiding founders through complex challenges or creating opportunities for learning and collaboration within our community. It will be a real treat to see the way she leads Techstars Startup Weekend Boston. This week however, our Shweta has extended that impact globally as a featured speaker at the Woman Impact Summit 2024, where she’s been making waves alongside remarkable women leaders such as: María ángeles León López, Founder at Open Value Foundation Karen LeVert, Managing Partner at LeVert Ventures Gwen Young, CEO of the Women Business Collaborative Krista Covey, President of First Flight Venture Center Rachel Ann W., Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader Hosted by Heroikka in collaboration with global partner Open Value Foundation and in?collaboration with key partners like Academy for Women Entrepreneurs 'AWE DRC', #ExchangeAlumni - Alumni Affairs - State Dept.#ExchangeAlumni - Alumni Affairs - State Dept., Casa áfrica, and Asociación Heroikka, the Woman Impact Summit is a mighty coalition indeed. Since the summit began on November 6th, Shweta has been actively contributing to discussions about innovation, equity, and empowerment, bringing her unique blend of practicality and purpose to every conversation. ?? And tomorrow, November 8th, Shweta will take the virtual stage once again to moderate a panel discussion at 12:50 PM EST. Her practical insights and purposeful leadership will undoubtedly make this session a must-watch! Women Entrepreneurs In Health will feature powerful insights from Lorelai Wilson and Denisa Kim, MSc. Everyone at BNT and Prepare 4 VC are anticipating this panel with joy, and I encourage all my network to check it out as well -- link in the comments.

No but seriously....I'm having way too much fun with this event, and I am so excited that it's less than a week away. I can't wait. Shweta Agrawal: Are you taking a break or are you creating another event graphic with little figures of the m.....nevermind. Me: Can't stop won't stop! Our mentors, yes, they're magical -- and you know it! Jason Kraus, JaaS (Jason As A Service) Erika Haskins doing all the things for all the founders and forging ecosystems fantastically Parna Sarkar-Basu -- taking the biggest toughest-to-unravel tech visions and making them comprehensible and memorable... Irina Sychov -- helping all founders unlock their vast potential and tap into their inner voices... and beyond these mentors, our networks have stepped up to help the founders as well -- looking at you Rafael Obando, Trevor Skene, and more! I've said it before and I'll say it again -- thank you so much to Edith Wangare Njage, MSc, Nandi Mkhwanazi, all the entrepreneurs we interviewed and the ones we chose, all the partners we've brought into the fold (with some additional partners being announced next week), thank you to Shivika Mishra and Goldcast for standing by in case I break anything on the platform (trying hard not to, so many buttons). This is one of the best events I've ever been a part of. Join us next Wednesday and see why! #TheAbundanceSummit #BostonNewTech #Prepare4Event #TheStartupOasisJournal