Most fashion and beauty founders have never thought about their intellectual property as something that increases company valuation, but it might be the single most valuable asset in the business. Trademark attorney Jessica Eaves Mathews explains why intangible assets now represent roughly 92 percent of S&P 500 market capitalization, and how founders can use IP strategically rather than just defensively.

In this video, Jessica breaks down what investors actually look for in IP due diligence, starting with completed trademark registrations and a clean chain of title. She explains a problem that surprises many founders during due diligence: a contractor who built your logo, website, or product photography may still legally own that work if there was never a written assignment in place. She also introduces trade secrets as an overlooked IP category, covers how brand licensing became a $314 billion market, and lays out a five-step IP audit any business can start today.

What’s covered:

• Why intellectual property drives the majority of company valuation
• What investors examine during IP due diligence
• Why a contractor may still own the work you paid for
• Trade secrets and how to actually protect them
• A five-step framework for auditing your IP portfolio

If any of this applies to your business, book a free consultation: https://www.leveragelegalgroup.com/contact/