As a patent agent and founder of Perpetual Motion Patents, I spend most of my time helping startups figure out what’s worth protecting and how to protect it. But I’ve always believed that intellectual property isn’t just for lawyers and inventors. It’s a tool for anyone with ideas and ambition. That’s why I jumped at the chance to host an IP workshop or hackathon with SFU VentureLabs.
An IP hackathon
The idea was simple: bring together students, give them a crash course in entrepreneurial thinking, and see how they handle the messy, creative world of IP. I wanted to know how the next generation approaches innovation. What happens when you drop them unrehearsed into a high-pressure environment and ask them to invent, brand, and defend something completely unexpected?
Random topic levels the field
I kicked things off with a randomized product space: virtual reality meets dry cleaning. Yes, really. I wanted to avoid the usual startup clichés and push them into unfamiliar territory. The reactions were priceless – confusion, laughter, and then, determination.
Each team had six or seven students and a table to call their own. They had hours to learn the basics of IP (such as trademarks and patents), how these connect to a business (such as brand identity and user interfaces) and then apply these to their “business”. They brainstormed, built logos, created mockups, and even used Figma to design virtual laundromats. I was blown away by the creativity and hustle.
Throughout the hackathon, I made myself available to answer questions. If someone had a question about patents or strategy, I was there to guide them. The energy in the room was electric – students debating, designing, and learning from each other.
And then, in this table-top exercise, came the twist: the final deliverable was a mock lawsuit. Each team had prop currency, and they had to sue another team based on IP infringement. One team sued another but lost because their patent was dated later. It was a tough lesson, but a real one. In the world of IP, timing matters.
My experience
Would I do this again? Absolutely. My background includes training in systematic, knowledge-based approach to innovation and problem-solving. I love seeing theory come to life in practice. I’d love to see more universities embrace this kind of hands-on learning. SFU is leading here, but is alone. It’s not just about IP – it’s about collaboration, creativity, and confidence.
At the end of the hackathon, students were taking photos, exchanging numbers, and forming new friendships. That’s the real win. They left knowing they could ideate on anything – and that every team member has a role to play.
See this account.
Vraj’s entrepreneurial energy
One of the students attending was Vraj Dudhat, a computer science student from the University of Calgary. He saw the chance to attend the 48-hour program and didn’t hesitate – even though it meant travelling to Vancouver.
Vraj thrived in the fast-paced environment, diving into ideation and branding with confidence and a clear sense of purpose. He later shared, “I have the capacity to bring a solution that eases the troubles of other people.” That kind of mindset is exactly what entrepreneurial thinking is about.
For Vraj, the experience sparked an interest in business courses to complement his technical skills. He’s already referred the program to friends, and I hope others follow his lead. Because when you step outside the classroom and into the real world, that’s where the growth happens.
IP education for your organization
We do more education for companies than for schools. We are the only patent agency that runs simulations to show what it is like to manage IP in a startup. In these sessions, we take you from learning into the activity in minutes. We also like running workshops where the students walk away with something they create like a draft patent strategy, patentability search, or invention description. If you would prefer a more traditional lecture on IP, we have done that for scores of companies. Contact us with information on your size, schedule and budget, and we will scope something that fits your needs.
