In tech M&A, I’ve seen patents define billions in value — and I’ve also seen them derail promising transactions. Too often, they’re treated as a box to check rather than the core of the deal.
The risks are real:
➡️ Vague or overly narrow claims
➡️ Unclear ownership or past assignments
➡️ Litigation landmines waiting to surface
➡️ Portfolios with no commercial relevance
At Quest, our diligence is built to uncover the signal from the noise. Recently, we reviewed a portfolio where nearly half the patents had little market traction — but a handful of assets provided true blocking power against two competitors. That insight reshaped the deal.
The lesson? In IP-heavy transactions, the quality of return is always defined by the quality of diligence.
If you’re weighing an acquisition where patents carry the weight, let’s connect.
