IP Unlocked programme

For 135 years, our experts have supported Kiwi innovators to transform industries and make a global impact.

Maximising the value of your IP to drive sustainable business growth.

In today’s competitive market, a strong IP strategy isn’t optional, it’s essential. It protects your ideas, sets your brand apart, and opens doors to new opportunities. With the right IP approach, you’ll boost your business value, attract investors, and gain leverage in negotiations and partnerships.

For 135 years, our experts have supported Kiwi innovators in transforming industries and making a global impact. No matter your invention, we’ll connect you with someone who shares your passion and understands your field.

What is IP Unlocked?

IP Unlocked is a two-hour workshop designed to equip small business owners and individual IP holders with a foundational understanding of IP. Participants will leave with a tailored IP action plan to help safeguard and strategically manage their IP assets.

What to expect?

Pre workshop discovery (15 minutes), we’ll call you to:
- Find out about your existing IP and business to establish that IP Unlocked is the right solution for you.
- Set up a time for the workshop, either in our Auckland or Wellington offices or online.
Unlocked IP workshop (2 hours), the workshop will cover:
- A learning session outlining key information on IP rights, why they are important and how they can be used.
- A strategic discussion focused on understanding your current business and products, practices and processes, defining your desired future state, and identifying relevant IP actions. We’ll explore how these IP actions can be effectively leveraged to support your business goals.
- Any questions you have.
IP action plan, we will provide you with a tailored IP action plan summarising our findings and recommendations from the workshop, which may include:
- Key actions we recommend, prioritised based on your context and goals.
- Identification of the most valuable areas of IP within your business and how to protect them based on your goals.
- Other advice if relevant, this may cover patents, trade secrets, trade marks, commercial contracts, employment contracts, IP policies and processes.

Who should participate?

The programme is designed for individuals, start-ups and SMEs but is equally useful for larger organisations wanting to better understand the role IP plays in their organisations. A maximum of three people from your organisation should attend.

How do I get involved?

Because our team brings a wide range of expertise, your programme will be delivered by an advisor best suited to your needs. If you're unsure who that might be, feel free to reach out to our programme leads for guidance.

Programme leads

Hadleigh Brown

Principal

Auckland

Matthieu Mouscardes

Principal

Auckland

Frequently asked questions

When should I consider an IP strategy?: Like any part of your business strategy, it’s always better to have a clear answer before the question is asked. We believe that being able to explain your approach to IP is just as critical as delivering your elevator pitch or outlining your business plan. Ideally, IP should be considered as you prepare both.
Every company should think about its IP strategy as early as possible. Taking a proactive approach helps avoid missteps, and a strong IP strategy sets your business up for long-term success.
Your IP strategy will evolve over time, just like other aspects of your business, so it’s important to review and refine it regularly.
How much does it cost?: We understand that budgets can be tight for early-stage businesses. That’s why this is a fixed-price programme, designed to remain cost-effective by leveraging Microsoft Copilot for note-taking and administrative support. Pricing details are available upon enquiry.
Who should attend?: The programme is designed for individuals, start-ups and SMEs but is equally useful for larger organisations wanting to better understand the role IP plays in their organisations. A maximum of three people from your organisation should attend.
What will I learn?: We’ll give you a clear, practical understanding of how IP applies to your business - empowering you to speak confidently about its role within your organisation and with external partners.
Will I get a trade mark or patent filed within the programme?: No. This programme will identify IP opportunities but does not cover the execution of any trade mark or patent filing.
What if I have an opposition or litigation issue?: The Beyond IP programme doesn’t cover litigation issues or defending IP rights. However, at AJ Park we have an experienced team of IP litigation and dispute resolution experts who can guide you through patent office, tribunal and court processes for challenging or enforcing IP rights.
Do you consider global issues?: Yes. The majority of AJ Park’s work for businesses is either off-shore, or comes from off-shore, so everything we do has a significant international dimension factoring in the need for a global outcome.
Where is the programme run?: At the AJ Park office in either Wellington or Auckland CBD. Alternatively we can deliver the programme virtually.

Why choose AJ Park?

We have the largest, most experienced, and most technically diverse team of IA experts in New Zealand, and a proven ability to transfer our knowledge to you so that you are better able to deal with IAs in your business.

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