Managing IP Value in Startups & Early-Stage Ventures

Leveraging IP for Funding, Growth and Exit - August 15, 2025

Hosted by LES Vancouver Chapter & Sponsored by Gowling WLG

Course including lunch: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm PACIFIC

VALUATION 301

CLP Training

• Domain 1

Level:  Advanced - More experience required, typically > 3 years.

Description: Unlock the full potential of your startup by mastering the strategic management of IP assets. This advanced course offers practical tools and insights to help you align your IP portfolio with your business goals, driving growth, attracting investors, and positioning your venture for a successful exit. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or legal advisor, this course is essential for anyone involved in the commercialization of early-stage innovations.

Modules:

• The Startup Lifecycle
• IP and Startup Value & Business Model
• Creating an IP Position
• Leveraging IP for Funding
• Leveraging for Exit 
  

You will learn the following:

• The intersection of IP valuation and startup valuation
• Creating an IP portfolio that is aligned with startup valuation growth
• Using big data analytics and pricing databases in making IP decisions
• Leveraging IP assets for funding, growth and exit
• The investor's perspective on IP value: Debt v. Equity Funding
• IP Valuation considerations in exit: Mergers & Acquisitions
  

What previous attendees have said:

• Many thanks to Efrat and Sam for and excellent day full of stimulating conversations"
• "Really enjoyed the class. The knowledge of the instructors was on par with the class information"
  

Recommended LES courses to take in advance or equivalent experience:

• Valuation 201: Foundations in IP Valuation
• Negotiation 301: Negotiation Skills
  

Recommended LES courses to take after:

• General 201: LES CLP Exam Review 

Course Creators & Contributors:

Thank you to our course chair, past course chairs and content contributors who have developed and improved this course over time including:

• Efrat Kasznik, Course Chair
• Lynn Dudinsky, CLP
• Sam Wiley

Pricing

Member Rate - $69.00 USD / $95.00 CAD
Non-Member Rate - $99.00 USD / $135.00 CAD
Student - $35.00 USD / $49.00 CAD 

Your card will be charged in USD

Group rates available for parties of 3 or more. Contact education@les.org for information.

Moderator

Kamaldeep Sembi, Vancouver Chapter Chair

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Faculty

Efrat Kaznik, President, Foresight Valuation Group

Efrat Kasznik is President of Foresight Valuation Group and a Lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Ms. Kasznik is a Silicon-Valley based IP valuation and strategy expert with over 25 years of consulting experience, focused on assisting IP holders across industries with the valuation, commercialization, and monetization of their intangible assets. She helps clients, ranging in size from Fortune 100 companies to start-ups, with IP and business valuations in support of licensing deals, IP and technology acquisitions, M&A transactions, financial reporting, strategic planning, and fundraising. She frequently serves as a testifying expert in disputes involving IP and startup valuations and damages.

Ms. Kasznik currently serves as an LES USA-Canada Board member; she previously served as Chair of the High-Tech Sector (2019-2020), and Chair of the Valuation Committee (2021-2022). She is also currently serving Chair of the LES Silicon Valley Chapter. Ms. Kasznik has been recognized as one of the top IP strategists in the world by IAM 300 every year since 2013. Throughout her career, Ms. Kasznik has also served as co-founder and adviser to several start-ups, and held the position as CFO at a telecom start-up. She currently serves on the advisory boards of several start-ups, accelerators and venture funds in the United States, Europe, Asia and Israel.

Ms. Kasznik holds an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley and a BA in accounting and economics from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

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Sam Wiley, Managing Director, Ocean Tomo, a J.S. Held Company

Sam Wiley is the Strategic Business Intelligence Lead for the Specialty Services group at Ocean Tomo, a part of J.S. Held. With deep expertise in intellectual property (IP) strategy, innovation, and business intelligence, Sam works closely with in-house IP teams, outside counsel, and financial institutions to address complex IP challenges and uncover strategic opportunities.

A globally recognized expert in the field, Sam has held pivotal roles at organizations such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), CPA Global, and LOT Network. His multidisciplinary background in technology, law, and business has earned him a place in the prestigious IAM Strategy 300. He also serves on the Boards of the Licensing Executives Society (LES) USA & Canada and the LES Silicon Valley Chapter, and he is an instructor with AMAVI.

Sam’s career highlights include his time as a patent examiner at the USPTO, where he specialized in electrical and software arts, and his contributions to econometric analysis and expert testimony in IP-related litigation. He has also led initiatives in IP intelligence, analytics, and monetization, offering actionable insights that drive business decision-making.

A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Sam is known for turning complex IP issues into clear, strategic opportunities, making him a trusted advisor and influencer in the global IP community. 

CANCELLATION and REFUND POLICY:

No refunds will be granted for this education session.

LES regrets that refunds will not be given for no-shows.

A transfer of your full registration to another individual is permitted prior to the course by submitting written request to education@les.org. The individual submitting the transfer request is responsible for all financial obligations (any balance due) associated with that substitution. Funds from this program cannot be transferred to another education session without prior management approval.

EMAIL CONSENT:

By registering for this event, you permit LES to use your email address to communicate with you regarding LES events and their other services. You will have the ability to unsubscribe from these communications going forward.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONSENT:

By registering for this event, you permit LES to use photographs of you with or without your name and for any lawful purpose, including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content.