Raul Diaz Morales of Ona Patents is back to chat with us about patents and trade secrets, valuation, damages, litigation and all the IP related fun stuff.
Today, I’m joined by Steve Hershberger- an entrepreneur, innovator, and endurance athlete with a story that’s nothing short of extraordinary.
Steve has built and led companies across technology, analytics, and manufacturing, and he holds 13 U.S. patents in IoT and decision science. His work has always been about one thing: transforming insights into growth strategies and unlocking new, sustainable profit pools.
But Steve’s journey goes deeper. Over the years, he’s studied what really drives human and organizational Flow and from that, he developed the S.E.A.T. process for Organizational Flow™.
Outside of business, Steve is an endurance athlete who has competed in some of the toughest gravel cycling races across North America and Iceland. And it was on that path that life threw him its greatest challenge. In May 2024, just days before the legendary Unbound 200, Steve was the victim of a hit-and-run that stopped his vitals for several minutes. He came back from a near-death experience with a broken back, broken neck, and a dozen other injuries.
And yet here he is. His recovery and resilience fuel the way he now teaches and leads: helping organizations disrupt the static that short-circuits Flow, shift from “can’t” to “possible,” and build cultures of high performance.
This is more than entrepreneurship. It’s about survival, purpose, and unlocking Flow in business and in life.
Today I have with me Alfredo Mathew III—a social entrepreneur, educator, and systems thinker who has spent more than 25 years at the intersection of education, workforce development, and entrepreneurship.
Alfredo began as a public school teacher in the South Bronx, Oakland, and Pasadena—so dedicated to his students that he was named Teacher of the Year back in 2003. From there, he moved into building bridges between classrooms and careers, leading the Bay Area office of the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship and connecting thousands of young people to Silicon Valley pathways.
He went on to co-found ESO Ventures, an organization that didn’t just support entrepreneurs but actually changed state law in California to fund inclusive entrepreneurship. In just four years, ESO helped incubate over 500 Black and Brown-owned businesses and secured tens of millions in investment for community-rooted enterprises.
Today, Alfredo is the Founder and CEO of SPCC.1—the world’s first Shared Prosperity Community Corporation. His vision is bold: to create a new kind of economic infrastructure where communities can consolidate small businesses, access growth capital, and build their own engines of shared prosperity.
He’s also a TEDx speaker, where he calls for nothing less than sovereign wealth for the people and an economy that is truly owned by the communities it serves.
I’m excited to dive into this conversation with Alfredo, because it’s not just about entrepreneurship—it’s about rewriting the rules of who gets to participate and who gets to own the future.
Welcome to another episode of Once Upon A Startup.
Today, we’re tackling a question every founder faces at some point: what do you patent, and what do you keep as a trade secret?
To explore this, I’m joined by two amazing IP professionals.
Melanie Müller specializes in trademarks and unfair competition law—she helps companies protect their brands, whether that’s through getting trademarks registered, enforcing them in court, or defending against unfair competition claims.
Nisha Gera focuses on patent litigation, especially in the pharmaceutical space, where she’s handled high-stakes cases under the Hatch-Waxman Act. Her background spans biotechnology, health law, IP and competition law, and she’s even worked with UNITAID and the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition.
Together, we’re going to dig into how startups can make smart choices about their IP—when it makes sense to file a patent, and when it’s better to keep your innovation a secret.
Bryan Yates is the founder of Locomotiv Coaching, where he trains insanely capable people—people who are not stuck because they lack talent, but because they’re still relying on old instincts that no longer serve them.
Bryan doesn’t talk about productivity hacks or promise transformation. What he offers is what he calls a Strategic Reset—a way to help high performers access the gears they already have but rarely use.
His work is shaped by three very different worlds:
Listening deeply through his years of Holocaust testimony work
Training precisely, with insights from competitive cycling
And leading sustainably, through production experience at Disney
Our conversation today is about performance without burnout, rewiring without self-help platitudes, and finding your way back to clarity—not by doing more, but by noticing better.
My guest today is someone who’s not just seen the evolution of intellectual property law—he’s helped shape it across continents.
Prof. Dr. Heinz Goddar is a European Patent Attorney based in Munich, and a Partner at Boehmert & Boehmert. He holds a PhD in physics and teaches IP law at the University of Bremen, Bucerius Law School in Hamburg, and the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center. He’s also a Visiting Professor at universities across Asia and the U.S.
He’s a past president of LES International, an IAM Hall of Fame inductee, and a name that regularly appears on global IP expert lists. His recent work includes co-editing Trade Secrets Throughout the World and contributing to the Modern Guide to Patents—so when he speaks about the interface between patents and trade secrets, people across law, academia, and industry listen.
In this conversation, we explore how trade secrets can complement patent protection, especially in a world where litigation is long, enforcement is patchy, and speed to market matters. It’s a practical, strategic, and global view on how companies—especially startups—can protect what makes them valuable.
In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the world of patent monetization—a space where innovation meets strategy, and where ideas can become assets, or just... paperwork.
I’m joined by Raoul Diaz Morales, founder of Ona Patents and a seasoned telecommunications engineer with years of experience turning patents into real-world value. Raoul isn't just a technical expert—he's a strategist who understands what makes a patent work in the business world.
In our conversation, we break down:
What makes a patent effective beyond just being granted,
The real process behind patent monetization, and
The common misconceptions patent holders have that can cost them dearly.
Whether you’re a founder with a provisional draft or a seasoned patent holder wondering why your portfolio isn’t paying off—this episode is for you.
Let’s get started.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to Once Upon A Startup! You know I love bringing you founders and creators who challenge the status quo, and today’s guest is no exception.
Meet Christopher Sellers—a creative genius, entrepreneur, and author who doesn’t just think outside the box… he redesigns the whole damn thing. He’s the kind of person who looks at a problem and sees opportunity, someone who has built a career proving that innovation isn’t about resources—it’s about mindset.
Christopher has already made waves with his first book, and now he’s gearing up to release his second, Why Smart People Aren’t Creative—a title that already has me hooked. We’ll talk about what holds people back from true creativity, how he’s built a business around pushing boundaries, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
So if you’ve ever felt like you have big ideas but struggle to bring them to life, or if you just love hearing from people who challenge the way we think, stick around—this is going to be a great one. Let’s dive in!
In this edition of Once Upon A Startup, I’m thrilled to introduce someone who has been transforming the way organizations think about intellectual property and innovation: Sam Zellner.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-zellner-ip
Sam’s journey is inspiring. He’s an IP strategist and innovation leader who has completely redefined how intellectual property can drive business success. Instead of treating IP as just a supporting function, Sam has positioned it as a key player in shaping strategies and achieving growth.
Through his work with InspireIP and PQAI, Sam is helping businesses unlock their full inventive potential. InspireIP (inspireip.com) is a game-changer—a user-friendly platform that makes capturing and managing ideas so much simpler. It helps teams streamline their invention processes and ensure innovations align with what the business truly needs.
Then there’s PQAI (projectpq.ai), an AI-powered prior art search engine that takes the guesswork—and a lot of the time-consuming effort—out of patent searches. It provides smart, precise results, making life so much easier for inventors and IP professionals alike.
Sam’s vision is clear: innovation should be accessible to everyone. He’s helping businesses capture more ideas, refine them, and turn them into assets that fuel growth and safeguard their futures.
I’m so excited to dive into Sam’s journey, the story behind these groundbreaking tools, and how they’re helping organizations embrace innovation like never before. Stay tuned—you’re about to meet someone who’s making waves in the world of IP and innovation!
Hey everyone, welcome back to Once Upon a Startup! Today, I’m excited to introduce someone who’s all about building the foundational power of confidence—something every entrepreneur and leader needs in spades. Meet Nadine Pfeiffer, the founder and CEO of HopStair, a company dedicated to helping individuals and teams boost their confidence and leadership skills.
Nadine’s mission is clear: empower others to reach their full potential. Whether it’s through workshops, webinars, speeches, or one-on-one sessions, she’s on a mission to tackle the big challenges like imposter syndrome and leadership development. Her approach is anything but ordinary—it's innovative, bold, and designed to create real social impact.
From career development coaching to team building, Nadine offers a wide range of services that are as fresh and unique as they are effective. And she doesn’t just stop at coaching—she’s also the mind behind a confidence-building app that’s helping people everywhere step into their power.
Nadine draws inspiration from a variety of sources, always thinking outside the box to deliver something new. Whether you’re looking to level up in your career, build a stronger team, or simply gain the confidence to take the next big step, Nadine is here to guide you.
I can’t wait to dive into her journey and learn more about how she’s helping people build confidence and leadership from the ground up. Welcome to the show, Nadine!
Hey everyone! Today, we’ve got a guest who’s not just talking the talk but walking the walk when it comes to health and fitness. I’m thrilled to introduce Vibesh Karayil, a Fitpreneur and fitness coach with a mission that’s close to his heart—getting more people around the world to embrace exercise, no matter how small the step.
Vibesh isn’t your typical fitness coach. He’s someone who’s lived the grind of an office job, felt the strain of a hectic schedule, and realized the toll it can take on personal health. But instead of letting that define him, he turned it around. He found ways to make fitness work in his busy life and has since transformed himself into the best version of himself.
Now, Vibesh is giving back to the professional community by helping others find that balance between a busy lifestyle and a healthy one. Whether it’s bodyweight workouts, home-based yoga, or gym training, Vibesh has a plan tailored for you. He’s even working on an innovative workout app that lets you choose activities you actually enjoy—because fitness should be fun, right?
And it’s not just about coaching. Vibesh also creates content—both written and video—designed to inspire and guide people toward better health. His positive, cheerful approach makes him not just a coach, but a trustworthy health partner who’s genuinely invested in your success.
So, whether you’re juggling a demanding job, a family, or running your own business, Vibesh is here to show you that there’s always time for fitness. Let’s dive into his journey and discover how he’s helping others achieve their health and fitness goals. Welcome to the show, Vibesh!
Our guest today helps SMEs transform their IP into IP rights that actually make sense.
🌟 She trains them on Intellectual Property, Dispute resolution and Risk management.
🌟 She assists parties in solving their IP conflicts through expert determination, mediation, or strategic advice to navigate tricky negotiations.
🌟 She inspires female legal professionals through personalized coaching and mentoring, and help them build their authentic online presence.
With 20 years of experience in Intellectual property law and strategy, further enhanced by risk management, coaching, mediation, and data privacy expertise, as well as MBA and LL.M. degrees, our guest is multi talented.
In addition to being a golfer, a trained barista and with a secret dream of owning her own vineyard and coffee shop someday, Maria Boicova Wynants makes Superman want to hide in shame.
Welcome to another episode of Once Upon A Startup! Today, we have an extraordinary guest, Paul Watkins, joining us. Paul's life is a blend of gripping adventures, resilience, and diverse expertise. He's not your typical professional – Paul is a qualified Pharmacist, high-altitude mountaineer, ultramarathon runner, motivational speaker, property developer, dedicated dad, and an occasional adventure racer.
For over two decades, Paul has immersed himself in various challenges, from conquering iconic mountains across seven continents to claiming podium finishes in some of the world's most grueling ultra-marathons. His unique experiences and relentless pursuit of discipline have sculpted his perspective on life and success.
Paul doesn't just climb mountains; he helps others scale their personal summits. Through storytelling, he shares profound insights, guiding teams on building discipline, fostering anti-fragility, and crafting an internal narrative that ignites performance in all aspects of life.
He holds an MBA, yet he's just as comfortable maneuvering a forklift as he is in the boardroom. Often likened to a 70/30 mix of Harry Potter and Bear Grylls, Paul's journey is a testament to unwavering determination, and today, he's here to share his fascinating story and wisdom with us. Let's dive in and learn from his incredible experiences
On today's episode, we've got an incredible guest joining us - Matt Thomas! Matt's not your average writer; he's spent a whopping 13 years and close to 25,000 hours diving deep into the world of technical writing, copywriting, editing, and content creation.
Picture this - from churning out user guides for a massive $12M software launch to crafting courses on workplace safety and even whipping up catchy web copy for a major fast-food chain, Matt's pen has conquered diverse terrains.
But hold on, that's not all! In just a year, Matt's made some serious waves on LinkedIn. How serious, you ask? Well, he's racked up over 1.9 million impressions with a slew of posts. That's huge! Plus, he's clinched a spot on Favikon's 🇨🇦Top 200 Creator rankings. And guess what? He's even caught the eye of big-name creators like Justin Welsh, Sam Browne🦖, and Dina Calakovic.
But beyond the impressive stats and accolades, what's really cool about Matt is the impact he's made on others. He's been the go-to guy for a frustrated creator who skyrocketed his reach and engagement in less than a month, just by following Matt's three simple tips. Then there's his client who struggled for months until Matt swooped in, clarified his messaging, revamped his content, and bam! Doubled his follower count in no time. And let's not forget the bunch of followers who swear by Matt's content for making theirs better.
I can't wait for you all to hear Matt's story and the golden nuggets of wisdom he's got in store for us. Stay tuned, this is gonna be good
In Part 2 of out chat with Donn Gurule, we catch Donn talking about his fascination with intellectual property. How he built a fabulous portfolio, taught himself all about IP and his advice to entrepreneurs, founders and investors to take intellectual property seriously. Donn also talks about generative AI being a poisoned well. Come, give it a listen!
Welcome to Once Upon A Startup, your portal to the dynamic world of innovation and tech. Today, we're thrilled to host an extraordinary guest, Donn Gurule, the ingenious Founder and CEO behind Enviropedia.
Picture this - at the epicenter of tech, media, and culture, Enviropedia stands tall, crafting mind-bending information experiences that transcend devices: phones, tablets, gaming consoles, and the immersive realms of mixed reality.
What's their secret sauce, you ask? It's their patented wizardry that magically reconstructs the world's information in real-time, a game-changer for visual search, spatial computing, and mixed reality. Imagine having a front-row seat to context-rich, real-time experiences - that's Enviropedia's brainchild!
But wait, let's talk about our guest. Donn Gurule is not your average CEO. His journey weaves through the captivating world of visual effects, post-production marvels, and the intricate architecture of data centers. Oh, and did we mention Donn is a prolific inventor with patents in the global pipeline? Impressive, right?
Donn's portfolio shines bright with incredible feats:
► Navigating the choppy waters of industry giants like IMAX, Warner Bros., and Bad Robot, and emerging triumphant over colossal competitors. ► A backstage pass to over 400 film projects, including OscarⓇ-winning classics and a slew of nominees. ► Cue the OscarsⓇ! From mind-bending visual effects in Interstellar and Gravity to heartwarming animations like Frozen and Big Hero, Donn has left an indelible mark. ► Not just films, but a stellar lineup of Emmy-award nominated and winning TV series and a treasure trove of commercials and music videos.
And here's the kicker - Donn Gurule is a maestro in crafting products that dance in the realm of 16K workflows, high frame rate production, and dedicated hardware solutions, delivering not just advancements but significant cost savings.
So, buckle up as we embark on an exhilarating journey, diving into the genius and innovations of Donn, the visionary shaping the tech and media landscape.
Banter
Ex professional Cricketer
Founder
Investor
Those are the words to describe our guest from today- Namay Kedia.
Namay comes from a background rich in business and from a young age developed a keen interest in cricket. He has played professional cricket as well.
Namay, though a stoic, with a calm and even, unflappable personality, has some exciting stories in life and profession to share with us.
Let's check this episode out, shall we?
Bodhisatwa Dasgupta or Bo as he is known among friends and followers is an award winning creative director who has spent more than 18 years in advertising. He's worked at Ogilvy, Wieden & Kennedy, JWT, Rediffusion, Grey and Dentsu. Some of the brands he's helped build are Pepsi, Honda, Jabong, MG Motor, Motorola, Sprite, Milkbasket.
Bo was once voted one of the hottest creative directors of India by Impact Magazine. (I personally think he retains the honor).
Bo now runs The Voice Company, an independent content and advertising agency. He also runs Copywriting with Bo, a platform where he trains young copywriters to become better at their game.
Tedx speaker, Clown of a father, Restless child.
Listen in to this amazing chat with Bo!
Today we explore the fascinating world of finance and investment through the eyes of our exceptional guest today. With over a decade of experience in Finance and Investment Banking, Andres has honed his analytical skills and developed a profound passion for all things finance.
Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse array of industries, ranging from SaaS and Health Tech to Banking, Fintech, Industrials, and Agriculture. But what truly sets Andres apart is his unwavering belief that every business owner should have the knowledge and tools to comprehend, optimize, and defend the value of their company.
Driven by this conviction, Andres made a bold career move to become a freelance investment banker with a clear mission: to demystify the complexities of finance for entrepreneurs and business owners. From valuing innovative Fintech companies in Latin America to guiding ventures through the intricacies of ceasing operations, each project has reinforced his commitment to empowering founders and investors with the insights needed to make informed financial decisions.
Andres brings a unique and creative problem-solving perspective to the world of finance. Today, he is dedicated to helping businesses navigate their financial landscapes and unlock their full potential. So, get ready to dive deep into the financial world with Andres Oconitrillo on today's episode.
Our guest is not just an entrepreneur; they're a problem solver and a team developer with a unique ability to execute with speed and precision. Over the past 11 years, they've embarked on a dynamic entrepreneurial adventure, leaving an indelible mark in various industries.
Welcome Roger Jacir!
With a portfolio of six businesses under their belt, Roger has delved into the realms of retail, distribution, and manufacturing, navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship with unwavering determination. Roger's journey has been a testament to the highs and lows of business ownership.
Roger's story is not just one of success; it's a narrative of resilience and learning. Roger has experienced both the thrill of successful exits, with three ventures achieving remarkable results, including a sale to a publicly traded company worth $10 million, and the valuable lessons gleaned from two ventures that didn't pan out as planned.
But the entrepreneurial spirit burns brighter than ever. Today, Roger is on a mission to tackle one of the most pressing issues in Latin America—solving the lending problems that impact countless lives. Roger's dedication to making a positive impact in the region is nothing short of inspiring.
So, if you're ready to dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and team development, fasten your seatbelts because today's podcast episode promises to be an enlightening journey with insights that can reshape your perspective on business and innovation.
Without further ado, let's welcome Roger 2and embark on this incredible conversation!