Intellectual property is often the most valuable asset a small business has — yet it’s also one of the most commonly overlooked. In a comprehensive guide published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (CO-), Krazimo CEO Akhil Verghese shares insights from his experience running a technology company on how small businesses can better protect their IP.
Verghese highlights a key blind spot: while large companies typically run training courses explaining what’s proprietary when employees join, small companies tend to get straight to work — leaving employees unclear on what is and isn’t privileged information. This cultural gap creates real risk, especially for tech and AI companies where intellectual property is the core of the business.
He also addresses the power dynamics that small businesses face when negotiating contracts with larger clients. When you’re a small business, it can be difficult to insist on particular contract terms, especially if the client is a large company. This pressure can lead small businesses to sign away IP rights they should be protecting.
The article covers the fundamentals of IP protection — from patents and trademarks to trade secrets and copyrights — and provides actionable steps for businesses at any stage. For AI and technology companies in particular, where proprietary algorithms, training data, and code represent significant competitive advantages, getting IP protection right from the start is essential.
Originally published on CO- by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Krazimo is an enterprise AI consulting firm founded by former Google engineers, specializing in reliable generative AI solutions.
Read the full article on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Website.