When startups fail, their intellectual property—like patents, trademarks, and copyrights—often remains unused. Founders may not have the resources to sell these assets, while potential buyers struggle to find them. This creates a gap where valuable innovations sit idle, even though they could benefit other businesses.

How It Could Work

One way to address this gap is by creating a specialized marketplace for intellectual property from failed startups. It could start as a simple website where founders list their unused patents or trademarks. The platform might also offer:

• Basic valuation tools to estimate asset worth.
• Search functionality to help buyers find relevant IP.

For more complex deals, experts could assist with legal checks or negotiations. The model might combine automated listings with optional human support for high-value transactions.

Potential Benefits

This approach could help multiple groups:

• Founders of failed startups recover some investment.
• Buyers (like companies or investors) access affordable IP.
• Legal professionals could refer clients and earn fees.

Early partners might include bankruptcy attorneys or R&D-focused businesses.

Fitting Into the Existing Landscape

While patent marketplaces already exist, they typically don't focus on IP from failed startups. A platform designed specifically for this niche could stand out by:

• Making listings and transactions simpler for distressed sellers.
• Providing guidance tailored to post-failure situations (like quick sales).

For verification, the platform might cross-reference court records when startups file for bankruptcy.