Think Big: The patent for women

The question of using artificial existence makes some anxious. Others are taking the new possibilities into their own hands and founding companies: Anna von Berg, for example. With ‘PatentPen’, she wants to revolutionize the writing of patent applications The physicist and patent attorney is currently working with computer scientists from the Helmholtz Centre Hereon in Geesthacht to develop a user interface that will make the complex and costly process of patent application easier in the future. The AI-driven business idea received support from the Leuphana School of Management and Technology. 

Learning from each other with ScaleF 

Under the direction of Carsten Wille and Prof. Dr. Stefanie Habersang (Junior Professor of Business Administration, in particular Digital Transformation), the workshop series ‘SCALEF-Exist Women’ offers networking and know-how for women who want to kick off their own business. Anna von Berg belongs to the ten participants: ‘Of course we all have very different ideas about what we want to found. But the small group and the close exchange create new inspiration – and we learn from each other,’ she reports. 

The Pen for the patent 

‘PatentPen’ is currently being tested at Hereon with a cooperation company for the live run. As an experienced patent attorney, she is testing the input mask that is being developed by a software team. ’The aim is to be able to write the texts faster. We want to provide a user interface that captures the most important facts about the invention and then combines them into a patent application,’ says the physicist. 

Unusual alliances 

Of course, she checks the changes in the software and also the text that the artificial intelligence has then generated. Especially when it comes to drawings and experimental data, we cannot yet rely on the automated description. And so, in the context of AI-driven digital transformation, completely new alliances are emerging: A patent attorney works as part of a team with computer scientists to guide new developments so that they facilitate specific work tasks. Of course, the expertise of the technical expert is just as important as that of the computer scientists. The tasks are many and varied. You have to remain flexible throughout the process. 

Puzzling over Europe 

‘The AI is constantly being updated. We see whether the updates are helpful to us,’ she adds. For example, there was an update some time ago that used creative words instead of factual language: “Of course, this is of no use to us if the terms in the text suddenly change and the patent examiner no longer knows whether it is still about the same object or something completely different,” she says. 

It's a puzzle-like task that is subject to constant change. Nevertheless, there is great potential for Anna's start-up idea. The European Patent Office in Munich receives 200,000 applications for new inventions every year. Patent attorneys are usually hired for this, because, especially in the context of globalization, inventors want to avoid leaving loopholes open for comparable developments in their application.  

‘Of course, any patent attorney could now use an AI to try to make the patent application faster and more comprehensive. However, our software regularly uses new versions and also knows which AI base model is best to work with for this specific part of the application.’ 

One mistake – nine benefits 

In the Leuphana workshop, Anna then discusses her idea and the challenges that come with setting up a business: ‘The great thing is that we also discuss things here that have gone wrong. If one of us has already made the mistake, the other nine don't have to make it too,’ she says. The program also includes knowledge about design thinking, business models, social media and PR, as well as preparation for pitches, which are presentations for investors or partners. 

‘I found working together on the right mindset when it comes to entrepreneurship to be particularly important. Many think that they have to come to us with a polished idea and are almost ready to start their business. This is not the case. The first day of our ScaleF program was therefore themed ‘Think Big’. Here we worked with the participants to ‘think big’ about their start-up ideas and build their self-confidence. It is actually something typically feminine to let your own doubts limit you too much,’ says project manager Stefanie Habersang, sharing her observations. 

To ensure that the female founders do not lose their drive, Leuphana provides them with a mentor in addition to a scholarship for one year. “It's a great opportunity to get out of your bubble for once. I am exchanging ideas with my mentor on a regular basis,” says Anna von Berg. 

Women with a background 

Carsten Wille, who is co-organizing the program as part of the cooperation service, explains: ‘We deliberately chose women who already have a professional background. Seven out of ten participants have families. For all of them, starting a business is a big step. In this respect, we had to create an attractive offer and I am glad that Leuphana was able to raise the funding and can even offer childcare when the workshops take place.’ 

Carry on! 

For Carsten Wille, the founders still need to have a high level of self-motivation and stamina. ‘Few lack intensity, even if after twelve months a finished company has not always been created.’ 

The framework is complemented by a practical teaching program. ‘It was important to me that the content be realistic and practice-oriented, i.e. taught in a hands-on way! I would like to continue this workshop series next year. Establishing a program at Leuphana that actively supports women interested in founding a company is a great opportunity. In further developing their business idea with a team and, in the medium term, successfully implementing and actually founding it, we will surely have an impact’ summarizes Stefanie Habersang.