Patent Licensing & Technology Brokering

Broker patent licenses and technology transfers for patent owners

Startup Cost
$15,000-$75,000
Difficulty
Advanced
Time to Profit
18-36 months
Profit Potential
$8,000-$167,000/month

Overview

Patent brokers generate $100,000-$2,000,000 annually with 70-90% margins (commission-based).

In 2025, monetizing patents requires licensing and brokering.

Revenue from success fees on patent licenses (10-30% of deal value), technology transfer brokering ($5,000-$100,000), patent valuation services ($2,000-$20,000), licensee identification and outreach, licensing negotiation support, and ongoing royalty monitoring.

Successful brokers have patent and licensing expertise, identify valuable patents and technologies, find potential licensees and buyers, value patents and structure deals, and negotiate licensing agreements.

Patent owners, universities, and inventors as clients.

Marketing through patent owner networks, university tech transfer, licensing expertise, industry connections, and successful licensing deals.

Required Skills

  • Patent Licensing
  • Technology Transfer
  • Patent Valuation
  • Business Development
  • Negotiation
  • Industry Knowledge

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • High commission potential on successful deals
  • Help patent owners monetize IP
  • Work with innovative technologies
  • Leverage industry connections
  • Growing patent monetization interest

Cons

  • Long sales cycles for licensing deals
  • Success-based compensation (no guaranteed income)
  • Need patent and licensing expertise
  • Many licensing efforts unsuccessful
  • Complex licensing negotiations

How to Get Started

  1. Build patent licensing expertise
  2. Develop industry connections and networks
  3. Learn patent valuation and deal structures
  4. Market to patent owners and universities
  5. Identify valuable patents and technologies
  6. Find and approach potential licensees
  7. Negotiate licensing agreements and close deals

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