The first product they developed is called Sknow. It is a small, light and smart radar sensor which is placed on the ski and which reads the snow under the skier in "real time". The algorithms in the processing of the data are trained to recognize conditions in the snow that can lead to avalanches, and the skier receives advice about the conditions that Sknow "sees" in the snow both through light on the sensor and in an associated app. The company further develops various solutions for snow and water for industrial use.
Protects the technology, name and appearance
By protecting the innovation, Think Outside positions itself in the market in a better way. They have patented the functionality of the ski sensor. They have protected the Sknow brand and the visual expression by trademark registration. They believe this gives the business a good, safe position in the market that protects against competition.
Think Outside has drawn up an IPR strategy for both new hardware innovations, algorithms and any new product names and logos.
So far, they have not experienced conflicts from competitors or IP trolls.
– Protecting the name and technology makes us more attractive to investors and potential buyers if we want to sell the innovation or the company in the future.
Monica Vaksdal
Monica Vaksdal
Patent rights important for obtaining investors
In some foreign financial markets, patenting is very important. Patent rights are often one of the first things an investor asks about. Had they not been able to demonstrate these rights, a number of collaboration discussions would probably have been very short and access to both grants and investments more difficult.
The company used the IP consulting company Zacco to take care of the patenting of the Sknow sensor and the registration of the trademark. Their then CTO has extensive experience with IP and IP strategy and was a very good project manager throughout this process. They received help with the design of the patent application from Zacco.
Public support schemes
Think Outside has received various types of policy support from Innovation Norway, and research funds from the Research Council of Norway (BIA funds). They have also received grants from the EU through the Horizon 2020 programme.
Tips for other businesses
Think Outside believes that you avoid unnecessary extra work and costs by early developing a good and focused branding strategy that includes trademarks. In their own process, they discovered that the first name they intended to use for what is today Sknow was owned by a major German industrial company. So they had to go back to the drawing board to find a new name and logo for the innovation. They were better prepared when they started work on IP protection for the hardware itself, and that made this job much better. Now they have gained good experience and have received advice and assistance. Thus, they are well equipped for new IP processes.
