Patent education.
To help reduce the IP barrier of entry for early stage founders and startups, we regularly make our talented staff available for speaking engagements at conferences, competitions, accelerators, and incubators. From time-to-time, we'll also host live webinars. Check back often for updates and reach out if you'd like to schedule a talk or workshop for your group.
Upcoming Events.
There are no upcoming events, but check back often for updates and reach out if you'd like to schedule a talk or workshop for your group.
Past Events.
Drafting Tips. Filing Insights. Long-Term IP.
October 15, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET | Live Webinar
Strong patents don’t happen by accident — they are the result of smart strategies from the very start. Join MichBio’s IP & Legal Affairs Committee members, Ashley Sloat, President, Director of Patent Strategy at Aurora Consulting, and Kristen Pursley, Intellectual Property Attorney/Registered Patent Attorney, Dobrusin Law Firm, for an engaging session on how to maximize the value of your patent applications.
NMC’s 10th Annual October Conference: Reimagining Learning and Work
October 14, 2025 | 1:20 PM to 2:15 PM ET | Health Science building @ NMC Main Campus
This talk examines the evolving landscape of intellectual property (IP) in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It covers how AI impacts copyright and patent law, infringement risks, and AI's effects on IP across various educational disciplines. The presentation concludes with guidance for institutions on establishing AI policies and best practices for academic integrity and innovation.
Responsible Engagement with Engineering Firms
June 5, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET | Live Webinar
You have your big idea and now it’s time to breathe it into existence, but you need some help with the development. In this talk, we discuss everything you need to know before and during the course of engaging with an engineering firm. We’ll cover IP ownership, assignment from engineering firm inventors back to you, and how to avoid the traps of viral IP.
The Power of Patents
April 16, 2025 | 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM CT | 2025 FIRST Championship in Houston
Learn about the power of patents and how you can incorporate patenting into your FIRST Robotics programs, from FLL to FRC. For Lego League Teams, pursuing a provisional patent can be a great addition to your Innovation Project. For all ages, learning about the patent process at a young age is a massive head start for those heading into STEM careers. Learn from an IP professional who’s guided everyone, from inexperienced elementary teams to seasoned pros, through the empowering process of patenting!
Ensuring Quality at Every Step
January 15, 2025 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM ET | 20Fathoms in Traverse City
You’ve put too much into your innovation to come up short when its life depends on the measure of your patent. In the eyes of the patent office, judges, juries, PTAB admins, ITC officials, and IP-savvy investors, it doesn’t really matter how great, novel, or universe-denting your invention is if it is not properly defined and protected by your patent. The difference between a good patent and a bad one is the difference between a valuable, assertable, defendable property right – and a worthless vanity plate. The quality that goes in up front is directly proportional to the leverage it will give you later when you need it most. But what goes into a quality patent, and where possible, how do you get it without breaking the bank? Answering these questions will be the focus of our discussion.
Protecting Your Medtech IP Assets: Strategies and Updates
Monday, September 23, 2024 | Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest
Intellectual property (IP) strategy plays a pivotal role in the commercialization of innovative medical technologies and products. It encompasses a range of legal, business, and tactical decisions aimed at maximizing the value of intangible assets. Our very own, Dr. Ashley Sloat, has been invited to be a panelist for this important conversation where you'll have the opportunity to hear from legal and IP strategy experts on the latest legal updates and best practices to safeguard your breakthrough advancements, develop a strong market position, and ensure commercialization success.
Government Grants and IP Rights
Thursday, July 11, 2024 | 11:00 AM EDT | Live Webinar via Zoom
The enormous expense of R&D can be a massive financial hurdle for startups. Federal grants like SBIR and STTR can be a great solution for many. These grants combine to provide over $4 billion annually in support from federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health!!! Despite being a very attractive source of non-diluting capital, they can come with some serious strings attached, particularly for your IP ownership and licensing rights. In this talk, we'll explore these grants and some of their biggest gotchas.
Part of Northern Michigan Startup Week
Tuesday, April 23 · 4 - 7pm EDT | Traverse City Opera House
The startup week pitch event will focus on the next generation of innovation leaders in Michigan, featuring Michigan students with innovative business ideas. Both idea-stage entrepreneurs and student-owned early-stage startups from universities across the state were invited to participate in the competition. Dr. Ashley Sloat will have the honor of presenting the audience award at the Tuesday night event.
4 Corners Energy Conference
May 8 · 7:30am - May 9 · 4pm MDT | McGee Park San Juan County Fairgrounds
Join us in early May at the 4 Corner's Energy Conference in Farmington, NM. Our very own Ty Davis will be working a booth and available to answer all of your energy-related patent questions.
About the Conference: Energy enthusiasts from all around will gather to discuss the latest trends and innovations in the industry. At the conference, you'll have the opportunity to connect with industry experts, participate in engaging panel discussions, and explore cutting-edge technologies.
Top 3 Inventor Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Monday, April 15, 2024 | 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM ET | Webinar via Zoom
The patent world is full of trap doors that lie waiting for unsuspecting inventors. Some of these mistakes are reversible with limitations. Others have no undo button. In this talk, we will cover the most common patenting mistakes made by inventors and startups. We'll highlight best practices for not making the mistakes in the first place and explore available remedial options. Topics include the risks of sharing your idea too soon, not understanding the competitive landscape, and critical missteps that can result in losing your IP ownership rights.
About ArborHive LIVE: A monthly meeting series hosted by our good friends at ArborHive, providing education and support for members who are just diving into the innovation world for the first time.
InnovatorMD Master Class
March 14, 2024 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM PT | Live Webinar via Zoom
The enormous expense of R&D can be a massive financial hurdle for startups. Federal grants like SBIR and STTR can be a great solution for many. These grants combine to provide over $4 billion annually in support from federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health!!! Despite being a very attractive source of non-diluting capital, they can come with some serious strings attached, particularly for your IP ownership and licensing rights. In this talk, we'll explore these grants and some of their biggest gotchas.
Husky Innovate | Innovation Week 2024
Thursday, Jan. 25, 12-1:30 p.m. in MUB Ballroom B @ Michigan Tech
Learn strategies for careful contracting as you work with development and investment partners, and hear how investors evaluate your startup’s risk exposure. Ashley Sloat, president and director of Patent Strategy at Aurora Patents, will discuss everything you need to know, from engaging with an engineering firm to ultimately pitching to an investment group. Topics include IP ownership, assignment from engineering firm inventors back to you, how to avoid the traps of viral IP, and what investors want to see in your pitch deck.
Program Summary
Husky Innovate hosts Innovation Week each year, which includes innovation and entrepreneurship presentations and panel talks that are open to Michigan Tech students, faculty, alumni, and the larger community. Hear from entrepreneurs and innovators from a variety of backgrounds. Innovation Week aims to educate, inspire, and encourage those leading innovations.
Legal Issues Course
November 13, 2023 | 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM ET | NMC Innovation Center
The i's and t's you need to consider when getting started. From her position of domain expertise, Ashley will help you understand what you need to make sure you're protecting your intellectual assets like patents, copyrights, and trademarks. From her background as a business owner educated in the school of hard knocks, Ashley will share lessons learned about business formation, essential contracts, entity-based tax considerations, and what to think about before bringing on employees or contractors to help.
Program Summary
NMC's Innovation Mindset Credential is a skills-development program designed to give participants the knowledge needed to think like an entrepreneur, act like an innovator, and turn ideas into tangible innovations.
Husky Innovate | Innovation Week 2024
Thursday, Jan. 25, 12-1:30 p.m. in MUB Ballroom B @ Michigan Tech
Learn strategies for careful contracting as you work with development and investment partners, and hear how investors evaluate your startup’s risk exposure. Ashley Sloat, president and director of Patent Strategy at Aurora Patents, will discuss everything you need to know, from engaging with an engineering firm to ultimately pitching to an investment group. Topics include IP ownership, assignment from engineering firm inventors back to you, how to avoid the traps of viral IP, and what investors want to see in your pitch deck.
Program Summary
Husky Innovate hosts Innovation Week each year, which includes innovation and entrepreneurship presentations and panel talks that are open to Michigan Tech students, faculty, alumni, and the larger community. Hear from entrepreneurs and innovators from a variety of backgrounds. Innovation Week aims to educate, inspire, and encourage those leading innovations.
Legal Issues Course
November 13, 2023 | 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM ET | NMC Innovation Center
The i's and t's you need to consider when getting started. From her position of domain expertise, Ashley will help you understand what you need to make sure you're protecting your intellectual assets like patents, copyrights, and trademarks. From her background as a business owner educated in the school of hard knocks, Ashley will share lessons learned about business formation, essential contracts, entity-based tax considerations, and what to think about before bringing on employees or contractors to help.
Program Summary
NMC's Innovation Mindset Credential is a skills-development program designed to give participants the knowledge needed to think like an entrepreneur, act like an innovator, and turn ideas into tangible innovations.
Keynote Address
Thursday, Nov 16, 2023 | Virtual
Will AI Terminate or Save the Patent System?
Our news feeds are overrun with stories of how AI is profoundly reshaping the world at a breakneck pace and achieving results that were only recently the mere dreams (or perhaps threats!) of science fiction. But how will this now inevitable rise of the machines reshape our IP legal industry and the very property rights systems that undergird science, technology, and the modern innovation economy? Beyond fears of a dystopian employment outlook for agents, attorneys, and searchers, could AI actually invalidate the entire patent system once it’s no longer able to deliver on its constitutionally expressed goals? Or could super intelligence actually be just the kind of cybernetic hero from the future that the breaking system needs to save so many patents (and an unsustainable bar) from an unfortunate judgment day?
InnovatorMD Master Class
Patenting in the Early Years: A Coming of Age Story
November 30, 2023 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM PT | Live Webinar via Zoom
Answers to common questions and strategy recommendations for those early years between idea and granted patent. We begin with your idea, how you can talk about it, and what you can and can’t do with it to avoid potentially irreversible patentability issues. We’ll tackle the fundamentals of when your provisional should be filed, how to maximize your runway, and what investors are looking for in your first patent. Moving beyond your provisional filing, we’ll dive into what your startup should be focused on during the critical year of pendency before conversion to a full application.
Registration details coming soon.
October 19, 2023 | Remote via YouTube
We've prepared a video on Key Considerations for IP Diligence that will be played at the upcoming Northern Michigan Angels October workshop.
Summary: As an angel investor, what should you be looking for – both during and after the pitch – in terms of the IP diligence necessary to derisk your investment and maximize your longterm ROI?
October 19 - 21, 2023 | Alexandria, VA
Join us in-person for US Inventor's First Annual Conference, where USI will be celebrating its 10-year journey! This event will feature three days filled with engaging discussions, insightful presentations, and great networking opportunities. We'll be sponsoring the coffee bar, so be sure to stop by for a cup, on us!
Intellectual Assets: Currency Before Your Capital
October 11, 2023 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM ET | 20Fathoms in Traverse City
Learn about how to protect key business assets while avoiding common mistakes in the context of an overall IP strategy in this lunch-and-learn presented by intellectual property expert, Ashley Sloat. We'll be covering intellectual property like trade secrets, trademarks, copyright, and patents, as well as how open-source IP should be treated. We'll also touch on responsible engagement with employees and vendors, especially around contracting, and typical mistakes made with IP.
This event is hosted by 20Fathoms in partnership with Aurora Patents. This is an in-person event and there is no charge to attend. Lunch will be provided.
Stronger Life Science Patents // Protect Before You Pitch // Patent Expert AMA
Monday, Sept 18, 2023 | Lansing Center in Downtown Lansing
Stronger Life Science Patents Talk
In the afternoon, we'll be doing a talk on crafting stronger life science patents. Life science patents have grown increasingly vulnerable to rejection and invalidation due to subject matter eligibility and enablement interpretations. The implications are staggering, with over 80% of abandoned life science applications having a final rejection stating that the innovation did not include patentable subject matter. In this talk, we’ll explore how to avoid these rejections, understand the implications for new drugs, and provide practical tips for creating robust life science patents. We'll also briefly touch on expanding your exclusivity window in light of FDA delays and what strings to be aware of when pursuing government funding from sources like SBIR and STTR grants.
Protect Before You Pitch / Patent Expert AMA
We'll also be doing a 15-minute talk about the dangers of public disclosure and the critical steps to take to protect your idea before pitching or approaching investors. At this time, I will also be available for a patent expert AMA, so come armed with your intellectual property questions!
Knowing When to Share Your Idea and When to Shush
Friday, July 14, 2023 | 11:00 AM EDT | Live Webinar via Zoom
You've had your stroke of genius. 💡 Your next instinct is to either:
1) Yell it from the rooftops and share it with anyone who will listen or
2) Keep it close to the vest, not tell anyone, and guard your idea like it's the One Ring.
Both instincts are usually wrong. At least in their absolute forms.
Knowing when to share your idea and when to shush is a vital distinction on the journey to innovative success.
Join me as we explore the delicate balance between protecting your intellectual property and harnessing the power of collaboration. Learn how to navigate the world of patents and maximize the potential of your groundbreaking ideas.
Protecting Your Ideas & Avoiding Common IP Pitfalls
July 13, 2023 | Live Webinar via Zoom
What you will know at the end of this talk:
- What is a patent?
- Why startups seek Intellectual Property (IP) protection
- Common pitfalls when discussing your ideas with others and how to avoid them
Top 3 Inventor Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Thursday, August 18, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM PDT | Live and Webinar via Zoom
We are delivering an IP workshop at the InnovatorMD World Congress 2022, taking place both virtually and in the Bay Area.
About this workshop: The patent world is full of trap doors that lie waiting for unsuspecting inventors. Some of these mistakes are reversible with limitations. Others have no undo button. In this talk, we will cover the most common patenting mistakes made by inventors and startups. We’ll highlight best practices for not making the mistakes in the first place and explore available remedial options. Topics include public disclosure mishaps, prior art searching consequences, and ownership quagmires.
Prenuptial Patenting: Responsible Engagement with Engineering Firms
Thursday, March 24, 2022 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM PT | Live Webinar via Zoom
Aurora is partnering with InnovatorMD as part of new program called InnovatorMD University. This is a year-long program consisting of 40 Master Classes designed to educate healthcare innovators and entrepreneurs on essential topics. Each Master Class is hosted by Uli K. Chettipally, MD, MPH. and will feature an expert, who is the Instructor for that Master Class.
About this talk: You have your big idea and now it’s time to breathe it into existence, but you need some help with the development. In this talk, we discuss everything you need to know before and during the course of engaging with an engineering firm. We’ll cover IP ownership, assignment from engineering firm inventors back to you, and how to avoid the traps of viral IP.
InnovatorMD Global Summit 2022
Knowing When to Share Your Idea and When to Shush
Friday, January 7, 2022 | 11:00 AM PDT | Live Webinar via Zoom
You’ve had your stroke of genius. Your next inclination is to immediately do one of two things: 1) Yell it from the rooftops and share it with anyone who will listen or 2) keep it close to the vest, not tell anyone, and guard your idea like it’s the One Ring. Both instincts are usually wrong. At least in their absolute forms. Knowing when to share your idea and when to shush is a vital distinction on the journey to innovative success. As we’ll discuss more, sharing too much and too soon can have detrimental effects on your ability to later protect your idea. Conversely, keeping your idea a secret may also not be an option depending on your funding goals. Join us to learn how to strike the balance between these two extremes.
SPARK.ed | Prenuptial Patenting
Responsible Engagement with Engineering Firms
Thursday, December 9, 2021 | 11:30am - 12:30pm ET | Free Online Event
Aurora is partnering with Ann Arbor SPARK to deliver a three part SPARK.ed series. You've had questions around patenting and the SPARK team has been listening! We've put this series together to address the most common questions that arise from startups within the SPARK ecosystem.
About this talk: You have your big idea and now it’s time to breathe it into existence, but you need some help with the development. In this talk, we discuss everything you need to know before and during the course of engaging with an engineering firm. We’ll cover IP ownership, assignment from engineering firm inventors back to you, and how to avoid the traps of viral IP.
Key Insights for IP Success
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 | 11:30am - 12:30pm ET | Free Online Event
Aurora is partnering with Ann Arbor SPARK to deliver a three part SPARK.ed series. You've had questions around patenting and the SPARK team has been listening! We've put this series together to address the most common questions that arise from startups within the SPARK ecosystem.
About this talk: Software is eating the world. It’s central to so much of today’s innovation, but in terms of patenting, it’s socially controversial and legally unsettled. We’ll discuss the dynamics at the core of both and what you need to know about the options for protecting your software-based innovation. We’ll take an international look at how the "world" views AI/ML innovations and also hit on particulars for SaaS and open source software considerations. From an implementation perspective, we’ll look at managing code ownership when outsourcing and how iterative agile methodology can impact your patent strategy.
Digital Health Entrepreneurship Workshop
Monday, August 2, 2021 | 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM PDT | Live Webinar via Zoom
We are delivering a digital health IP workshop at the InnovatorMD World Congress 2021, taking place both virtually and in the Bay Area.
About this workshop: Digital health technologies are pervasive in every aspect of life and will likely be the future of improving patient outcomes beyond the clinic. Using patents to provide a competitive advantage for companies in this space has never been more paramount, but also never more difficult. We’ll discuss the generalities of the US and international patent systems and the specifics around patenting digital health technologies, including artificial intelligence, wearables, and machine learning innovations
Protecting your Ideas: IP Strategy for Startups
Thursday, July 22, 2021 | 9:00 AM
We will be delivering a talk on IP strategy for the 2021 XLerateHealth Flint cohort. This bootcamp is a 12-week virtual acceleration program, providing companies with the opportunity to work closely with four health systems, universities, and investors.
SPARK.ed | Patenting in the Early Years
A Coming of Age Story
Thu, June 17, 2021 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EDT | Online event
Aurora is partnering with Ann Arbor SPARK to deliver a three part SPARK.ed series. You've had questions around patenting and the SPARK team has been listening! We've put this series together to address the most common questions that arise from startups within the SPARK ecosystem.
About this talk: The first talk will provide answers to common questions and strategy recommendations for those early years between idea and granted patent. We begin with your idea, how you can talk about it, and what you can and can’t do with it to avoid potentially irreversible patentability issues. We’ll tackle the fundamentals of when your provisional should be filed, how to maximize your runway, and what investors are looking for in your first patent. Moving beyond your provisional filing, we’ll dive into what your startup should be focused on during the critical year of pendency before conversion to a full application.
InnovatorMD Master Class
Digital Health Entrepreneurship: Global & US Patents
Weds., May 12 | 5:00-6:30 p.m. PT| Live Webinar via Zoom
Aurora is partnering with InnovatorMD to deliver a digital health talk, focused on Global and US Patents. Our very own Ashley Sloat, Ph.D. will be the instructor.
About the talk: Digital health technologies are pervasive in every aspect of life and will likely be the future of improving patient outcomes beyond the clinic. Using patents to provide a competitive advantage for companies in this space has never been more paramount, but also never more difficult. We’ll discuss the generalities of the US and international patent systems and the specifics around patenting digital health technologies, including artificial intelligence and machine learning innovations.
A Pathway for Pharmaceutical Patents Webinar
Understanding pharmaceutical patents and their intersection with the FDA
Join us online for socially distant insights into the patent process, from filing to issuance, with a focus on the particularities of pharmaceutical patents, for both small molecules and biologics. Learn how to structure your filings for success, and peer into the complex but valuable interaction between your patents and the FDA regulatory procedure.