Banks & Lenders

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In an innovation-driven economy, much of a company's value sits in intellectual property (IP). But for banks and lenders, these assets are often hard to assess using traditional methods. Our IP due diligence team evaluates and values IP for debt financing, loan structuring, and similar arrangements, supporting your assessment efficiently and cost-effectively.

There is growing recognition across the financial sector that IP can act as a strong value indicator, but only when supported by a carefully thought-out IP management and protection strategy.

Many banks are already offering loan products based on the estimated value of registered IP. These can be highly attractive for IP-rich businesses looking to raise finance without giving up equity.

Research from the British Business Bank and the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) shows that IP-rich companies often carry lower lending risk. Yet a lack of confidence in how to evaluate these assets is contributing to a funding gap estimated at up to £15 billion a year in the UK.

As lending models evolve, a growing number of forward-thinking banks are looking for specialist support to assess IP-related risks and determine how intangible assets align with a company's business plan.

Our IP due diligence team helps lenders answer key questions with clarity:

What IP does the company own or have rights to use?
How does that IP align with the business model and future growth?
What role will it play in the company's future success, including exit value?
Are there any threats to the validity or ownership of that IP?

Want to discuss how we support banks with IP due diligence? Contact our team.

How We Can Help

We've supported banks, investors, law firms, and financial institutions with IP due diligence for over 20 years. Our role is to support your assessment with a clear view of the relevance and strength of a company's IP in the context of their business plan.

When we talk about IP due diligence, we mean an incisive red-flag review, delivered at a competitive fixed price, that identifies areas of potential concern and explains, clearly and concisely, why they matter and what might be done about them.

Our team will:

Assess the company's business plan from an IP perspective and, where relevant, its technology roadmap.
Confirm the legal ownership of the IP.
Review licences, agreements, and other commercial contracts, highlighting any IP or confidentiality issues.
Evaluate how IP is governed by examining board-level oversight and internal processes for managing IP risk.
Report on the legal status of declared rights, including an assessment of oppositions and challenges brought during the registration process.
Review any notified or threatened IP claims or litigation, assessing the potential impact of ongoing or future disputes.
Assess the company's approach to IP-related risks and freedom to operate (FTO).
Review third-party relationships and confirm that appropriate agreements are in place to protect ownership and future IP strategy.

At the end of the process, you'll receive a clear, tailored report that highlights how IP supports the business plan, identifies red flags, and gives you the confidence to make fully informed lending decisions.

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The Benefits of Our Approach for Banks and Lenders

‍Insight that supports lending decisions‍

Our report delivers the clarity you need to assess value and risk, without the excessive legal detail you don't. We highlight what matters and why, so your decisions are grounded in commercial reality.‍

‍Expertise across legal, technical, and commercial issues‍

Our team includes patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys, and IP solicitors. Together, they provide coordinated legal and technical support to assess rights, evaluate risks, and confirm whether the company's IP position supports its financial viability.‍