I have a two person tech startup. Getting very warm reception on prototype and about to negotiate a pilot with a company, as well as start speaking with investors.
It’s too early to file for patent, but I know there is an issue where disclosure of the idea or product turns it into prior art/public knowledge, which you cannot then patent (save for a grace period, depending on country).
How careful were other founders in sharing info? Did you try not to put much detail on your website? Use NDAs in meetings?
Advice and experiences much appreciated!
With customers and investors, you can be open about what it does, but not how it does it. As a software engineer, I’ll only ask about internals insofar around proper due diligence to ensure everything is copacetic.
One example of this is I met a guy who automated cold calling. I ensured they didn’t use LinkedIn because of the platform’s stringent requirements and poked around how I would work with it questions, but I don’t need to know about their custom AI for instance. Definitely would have been cool to know as a nerd, but I don’t have a need or right to know
That makes a lot of sense, thanks for the reply
You’re welcome!