We help intellectual property owners and investors understand, maximize the value of, and realize significant value from IP.

Term Sheets

Transactions

Deals

IP Investment IRR

We possess a unique combination of IP, investment banking, and management consulting expertise that allows us to effectively transact IP, significantly enhance the value of IP, and manage IP-related risk.

We exclusively represent patent owners in the sale of their patents. While evidence of infringement is helpful, it is not required as our team can develop evidence of use where possible. We also drive the development of the marketing collateral, which is tailored for each patent sale.

We use a bespoke approach for connecting with prospective buyers wherein we develop a target list of buyers for each patent sale and do not over market each sale. This results in better responsiveness and attention from prospective buyers while preserving the value of the patents for sale. We have a global network of buyers that have been cultivated over many years, while we use patent analytic tools to identify additional potential buyers to customize the target list for each sale.

With well over $100 million of brokered patent transactions, we have the reputation and expertise to successfully and diligently close patent transactions.

We provide strategic buy-side representation for entities seeking to acquire patents that drives successful, cost-effective, and efficient transactions. Our assistance can include target identification, patent valuation, due diligence, and negotiations, and is focused on helping clients secure patents that align with their objectives.

Owners of royalty streams have many different motivations for selling them, which includes generating cash for working capital, raising non-dilutive financing, and de-risking revenue.  Royalties can be based on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, or other intangible assets. 

We focus on acquiring royalties that have a projected lifetime cash flow of at least $10 million to several hundred million USD. We​ can close transactions quickly that are tailored to a seller’s objectives.  This can include acquiring an entire future royalty stream or just a portion of such royalties (e.g., based on a specified time period, specific $ or % amount).

With over $150 million of term sheets issued, we have the ability to effectively diligence and value quality royalty streams.

The cost and geographic footprint of IP-based litigation has significantly increased over the past decade. Unfortunately, many IP owners lack the funds and/or risk tolerance necessary to successfully litigate in this new paradigm.  In order to successfully raise capital for litigation, an opportunity must be packaged in a way that resonates with investors.  And because term sheets can vary widely between funding sources, it is important for an IP owner to have discussions with more than one source to understand what a good deal looks like before accepting capital.

We leverage our expertise in IP, damages, enforcement, and finance to develop enforcement campaigns with our clients.  We then transform the campaigns into compelling investment opportunities.  Our diverse global network of funding sources that collectively manages hundreds of billions of USD allows us to structure funding around the unique needs and objectives of each IP owner and campaign. 

We can also source law firms to represent our clients and advise them through the entire enforcement process.

Typical financing ranges from $3 million to over $15 million and has potential damages of at least $75 million. With over $250 million of term sheets secured, we can effectively find the right investor and terms for a quality litigation finance opportunity.

We use established and proven valuation methodologies to assess the true worth of patents. Whether preparing for a merger, seeking investment, or managing risk, we provide precise, data-driven insights as to the value of patents. With our expertise, our clients can better leverage patent portfolios and make informed strategic decisions involving them and the underlying business with confidence.

With a thorough inventory and IP analysis, our clients can feel confident that there will not be any surprises or balls dropped post-transaction.

TrueNorth IP is a boutique investment bank led by an intellectual property industry veteran who possesses a significant track record of success, has deep global expertise, and is recognized as one of the world’s top 300 IP strategists.

James Trueman is the CEO of TrueNorth IP and has been transacting IP for over 20 years and structuring deals for more than 30 years. Intellectual Asset Magazine has selected him as one of the world’s top 300 IP Strategists.  As the former Managing Director and leader of Ocean Tomo’s Investment Banking and IP Transactions practices, he closed well over $100 million of IP-related deals.  Such deals included advising BASF SE in the sale of their organic light emitting diode (“OLED”) technology to a subsidiary of Universal Display Corporation for approximately $96 million.

Mr. Trueman was previously Vice President at Acacia Research Corporation, a prominent NASDAQ-traded patent licensing company. At Acacia he led IP acquisitions in multiple high-value technology areas that have already generated hundreds of millions USD of licensing revenue. His diverse experience further includes helping to establish a private equity fund focused on commercializing IP as a Managing Partner of M1 Partners, and consulting several of the largest global software companies on growth strategy as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company.

Mr. Trueman received his Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where he was named a Palmer Scholar (top 5% of class).  He received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley where he graduated with Honors.

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