The Entrepreneurial Strategy Series

AI governance, AI compliance, AI privacy, intellectual property, AI law, cybersecurity, AI ethics, AI regulation, ChatGPT, entrepreneurs, startups, business owners

AI can help entrepreneurs build faster, work smarter, and compete more effectively—but are you putting your business, intellectual property, confidential information, or customers at risk every time you use it?

In this episode, host David Postolski and guests Paul Roberts Esq, director at TransUnion, and Erica Watson, CEO of Data Strategy Advisors break down how entrepreneurs and growing companies can use artificial intelligence safely while navigating AI compliance, privacy laws, intellectual property, patents, copyrights, trade secrets, cybersecurity, AI bias, vendor contracts, data usage, and governance.

They explain what businesses should know before putting confidential information into tools like ChatGPT or Claude, how AI-generated content and software can affect IP protection, what to look for when negotiating AI vendor agreements, why human oversight matters, and how entrepreneurs can balance the risks of AI with the need to remain competitive. If you're building, launching, or growing a business with AI, this conversation offers practical guidance for protecting your company while taking advantage of the technology.

Our Speakers:

Key Takeaways:

The Bottom Line: AI governance is not an obstacle to innovation. Good governance can enable innovation by helping businesses understand and manage AI risk before it becomes a problem.

Presented by the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and Gearhart Law on August 27, 2026.

This podcast is sponsored by Gearhart Law is a full-service intellectual property law firm specializing in patents, trademarks, and copyrights—helping inventors, entrepreneurs, and startups protect and grow their innovations worldwide.

Get a FREE consultation: 908-273-0700

Learn more: https://gearhartlaw.com/

Follow the podcast for more episodes on startup strategy, intellectual property, AI law, and business growth.

Neurodivergent ADHD startup founders, learn diversity, inclusion, storytelling, and AI strategies with Velout, NarraTricks, & Gearhart Law for business growth.

How can neurodivergent and diverse founders transform their lived experiences into an undeniable market advantage? In this episode of the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series, host David Postolski, Esq. (Gearhart Law) is joined by startup founders Theodora Chatzipavlidis (Velout) and Dr. Vijay Shankar Balakrishnan (NarraTricks) for an open, empowering conversation on neurodivergence, identity, and startup strategy.

In this episode, we cover:

Our Speakers:

Presented by the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and Gearhart Law on July 30, 2026.

This podcast is sponsored by Gearhart Law is a full-service intellectual property law firm specializing in patents, trademarks, and copyrights—helping inventors, entrepreneurs, and startups protect and grow their innovations worldwide.

Get a FREE consultation: 908-273-0700

Learn more: https://gearhartlaw.com/

Follow the podcast for more episodes on startup strategy, intellectual property, AI law, and business growth.

Protect your innovation with expert advice on patent strategy, intellectual property, patent infringement, startup legal risks, and patent litigation prevention.

Patent litigation doesn't begin in the courtroom—it begins with the decisions founders make long before they launch a product. In this Entrepreneurial Strategy Series episode, David Postolski, Esq., James Klobucar, Esq., and Jim Francis, Esq. of Gearhart Law explain how entrepreneurs can reduce legal risk, build stronger patent portfolios, avoid infringement claims, and protect valuable intellectual property. Learn when to file patents, how to enforce them, why continuation applications matter, how cease-and-desist letters should be handled, and what to do if someone accuses your company of patent infringement. Whether you're launching your first startup or managing a growing technology company, this practical discussion offers actionable strategies for protecting innovation while avoiding costly legal mistakes.

Presented by the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and Gearhart Law on June 18, 2026.

This podcast is sponsored by Gearhart Law is a full-service intellectual property law firm specializing in patents, trademarks, and copyrights—helping inventors, entrepreneurs, and startups protect and grow their innovations worldwide.

Get a FREE consultation: 908-273-0700

Learn more: https://gearhartlaw.com/

Follow the podcast for more episodes on startup strategy, intellectual property, AI law, and business growth.

In this eye-opening episode of Entrepreneurial Strategy Series, entrepreneurs and business leaders confront the growing impact of tariffs on small businesses, global supply chains, and profitability. Intellectual property attorney and senior partner at Gearhart Law, David Postolski, Esq. leads a powerful discussion with Sherrill Mosee, founder of MinkeeBlue & Forest Park AI and Ori Zohar, co-founder of Burlap and Barrel, as they share firsthand stories of production shutdowns, legal battles over tariffs, rising import costs, and creative strategies for surviving economic uncertainty. Whether you run an e-commerce brand, startup, or product-based business, this episode delivers practical insights on international manufacturing, supply chain resilience, pricing strategy, and how entrepreneurs can adapt and stay competitive in today’s tariff economy.

In this podcast, you’ll learn:

Presented by the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and Gearhart Law on April 30, 2026.

This podcast is sponsored by Gearhart Law is a full-service intellectual property law firm specializing in patents, trademarks, and copyrights—helping inventors, entrepreneurs, and startups protect and grow their innovations worldwide.

Get a FREE consultation: 908-273-0700

Learn more: https://gearhartlaw.com/

Follow the podcast for more episodes on startup strategy, intellectual property, AI law, and business growth.

Our March 2026 Entrepreneurial Strategy Series continues with Part 2 of our IP & Employment Law Series, focused on how startups can protect intellectual property, avoid costly legal mistakes, and build a scalable legal foundation.

In this episode, we explore the critical intersection of intellectual property (IP) law and employment law, breaking down how founders can structure agreements, secure IP ownership, and protect their most valuable business assets from day one.

Whether you're a startup founder, entrepreneur, or growing team member, this session delivers practical, real-world legal strategies you can apply immediately to reduce risk and support long-term growth.

Presented by the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and Gearhart Law on March 26, 2026.

Key Takeaways:

Speakers:

David D. Postolski, Esq. – Senior Partner, Gearhart Law (Moderator) https://gearhartlaw.com/team/david-postolski-esq/

Steven Frydman – Associate, Gearhart Law https://gearhartlaw.com/team/steven-frydman/

This podcast is sponsored by Gearhart Law is a full-service intellectual property law firm specializing in patents, trademarks, and copyrights—helping inventors, entrepreneurs, and startups protect and grow their innovations worldwide.

Get a FREE consultation: 908-273-0700

Learn more: https://gearhartlaw.com/

Follow the podcast for more episodes on startup strategy, intellectual property, AI law, and business growth.

In this Entrepreneurial Strategy Series event we explored the key financial and structural decisions founders face when starting and growing a business. Experts discussed entity selection, fundraising strategies, tax implications, and how to position a company for investors and long-term success. Attendees walked away with practical insights on building the right foundation for scaling a business.

Presented by the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and Gearhart Law on February 26, 2026.

Key Takeaways:

Choose the right entity: LLCs and S Corps work well for small or owner-operated businesses, while C Corps are preferred by investors.

C Corps attract funding: Venture capital and institutional investors typically require a C Corp structure.

Understand tax differences: LLCs and S Corps pass profits/losses to owners; C Corps pay corporate taxes at the entity level.

File taxes even with losses: Losses can provide future tax benefits and should always be documented.

Separate business finances: Maintain a business bank account and proper accounting from day one.

Delaware is common for startups: It offers flexibility and familiarity for investors, though not always required.

International business adds complexity: Operating abroad requires careful legal and tax planning.

Operate professionally: Strong financial discipline and good advisors help build credibility with investors.

Our Speakers:

This event is sponsored by Kickoff: The faster way to build credit. No credit checks, hidden fees, or interest. Helping credit builders score. Plans from $5/month. Visit https://plus.kikoff.com/

The Entrepreneurial Strategy Series is sponsored by Gearhart Law, a full service Intellectual Property firm specializing in Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law domestically and globally. Call us for a free consultation at 908-273-0700 or contact us through: https://gearhartlaw.com/

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the health sciences and health care industries—from diagnostics and drug discovery to clinical decision support and digital health tools. Alongside these advances come complex regulatory and intellectual property (IP) challenges that innovators, researchers, and organizations must navigate to bring AI solutions safely and successfully to market.

This podcast explores the evolving regulatory landscape governing AI in health sciences, including oversight of AI-enabled medical technologies, data governance, and risk management considerations. Listeners will also gain insight into key IP issues such as patentability of AI-driven inventions, ownership of data and algorithms, copyright and trade secret protection, and strategies for safeguarding innovation while supporting collaboration and compliance.

Presented by the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and Gearhart Law.

Recap: Our speakers explored the accelerating adoption of AI tools throughout the sector and the tension they create around traditional concepts of authorship, inventorship, and accountability. While AI promises greater efficiency and improved outcomes, it also raises critical questions about how innovations are protected, disclosed, and governed. Check out the video replay or podcast replay of the event below!

Key Discussion Highlights Included:

From a Healthcare-Specific Perspective, Speakers Emphasized:

Practical Guidance for Organizations, Including:

Our Speakers:

This podcast is sponsored by Gearhart Law, a full service Intellectual Property firm specializing in Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law domestically and globally. We serve inventors, entrepreneurs, and established businesses. We can help you strategize and build your IP portfolio based on your business needs. Call us for a free consultation at 908-273-0700 or contact us through: https://www.gearhartlaw.com

David Postolski (Moderator)

Welcome to the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series. Today’s conversation focuses on the life science startup journey,

TL;DL (Too Listen; Didn’t Listen)

I’m David Postolski, an intellectual property and patent attorney with a background in chemistry and computer science. I’ve spent over two decades working with startups, and today’s conversation focuses on the life science startup journey, which is uniquely challenging compared to other types of companies.

Life science founders face long research timelines, high costs, regulatory complexity, and capital-intensive development. To explore this honestly, we invited three founders to share real experiences—successes, failures, and lessons learned from building biotech companies.

Matt Silk (Paragon Pure)

I’m Matt Silk, a food material scientist and co-founder of Paragon Pure, a life science ingredient company based in New Jersey. We started in 2019 and focus on developing functional food ingredients through precision sprouting.

Our company operates at the intersection of food science and biotechnology. While we’re still a small team, we work with large partners and focus on long commercialization timelines—something that’s very common in life science startups.

Tomas Licciardo (Biotechnics)

I’m Tomas Licciardo, CEO and co-founder of Biotechnics. We started in Argentina in 2020 and later expanded to the United States, where we now operate facilities in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Our company develops biodegradable, cost-effective green solvents that replace petrochemical ingredients used in industries like personal care, cosmetics, food, and agriculture. We’re currently transitioning from R&D into commercialization.

John van den Berg (Autobionics)

I’m John van den Berg, CEO of Autobionics, based in the Netherlands. We develop bioprinting technology that produces human skin for research and future therapeutic applications.

Our company was founded in 2021 and combines academic research with commercial execution. We completed our first bioprinter in 2024 and are now moving toward product launch.

Intellectual Property Strategy in Biotech

David Postolski

Intellectual property is central to life science companies. How do each of you think about IP?

John van den Berg

Our core innovation is a new methodology, so patents are essential. While trade secrets can work in some industries, biotechnology is easily reverse-engineered. Patents allow us to protect the platform and future applications of the technology.

Matt Silk

Patents in life sciences serve two purposes. First, they protect innovation over long commercialization timelines. Second, they act as communication tools—investors and corporate partners read patents closely when evaluating credibility.

Tomas Licciardo

IP is not just protection; it’s also a competitive barrier. Investors expect to see a clear IP strategy. We combine patents with trade secrets so we don’t reveal everything while still building credibility.

Where Life Science Founders Begin

David Postolski

Where does the life science startup journey actually begin?

Tomas Licciardo

It starts with belief and alignment. I met my co-founders through a biotech company builder. They had spent over a decade developing the technology. Once I saw it could solve real problems and reach the market, the startup made sense.

Early on, we focused on defining what was worth patenting and building a long-term IP roadmap rather than filing a single patent.

Matt Silk

Founders need deep domain knowledge before building a company. Reading prior patents and understanding existing solutions is critical. Accelerators helped push us from idea to execution by validating the concept.

John van den Berg

Our company started with conversations. We talked to industry stakeholders to understand unmet needs. The founding team combined business and academic expertise, which is essential in life sciences.

Funding the Life Science Startup

David Postolski

Life science startups are expensive. How did you fund your companies?

John van den Berg

We started with personal funds and non-dilutive funding like grants. Grants allowed us to build real systems without giving up equity. Once the technology was tangible, fundraising became easier.

Matt Silk

We used personal funds, then secured grants and corporate partnerships. Non-dilutive funding allowed us to pay salaries and stay operational. Corporate collaborations also helped validate our product.

Tomas Licciardo

Our path was different. Grant access was limited due to geography and citizenship rules. We raised early capital from a company builder in exchange for equity and made significant personal sacrifices.

We held over 100 investor meetings before raising our seed round. Rejection is part of biotech fundraising, and persistence is essential.

Accelerators and Incubators

David Postolski

Are accelerators necessary for biotech startups?

Tomas Licciardo

Accelerators are valuable for networking and credibility, especially programs like IndieBio. But founders need clear goals. Pitching alone doesn’t build a company.

Matt Silk

Accelerators help with positioning and storytelling, but founders must balance pitching with execution.

John van den Berg

We chose not to join accelerators. Many opportunities look attractive but distract from building the product. Free money always has a cost.

Mistakes and Lessons Learned

David Postolski

What mistakes did you make?

John van den Berg

We hired the wrong people, underestimated costs, and made decisions that didn’t scale. Mistakes are inevitable. The key is fixing them quickly.

Matt Silk

Partial pivots slow progress. When you pivot, commit fully.

Tomas Licciardo

Our biggest mistakes involved focus. Serving too many industries at once stretched our resources. Focus and timing matter more than ambition.

Where the Companies Are Now

Tomas Licciardo

We are commercializing multiple products, closing long-term deals, and expanding manufacturing capacity.

John van den Berg

We’re in the “valley of death” between pre-seed and seed, but we have paying customers and working systems.

Matt Silk

We’re preparing for a seed extension while continuing to refine our ingredient and scale partnerships.

Final Reflections on the Life Science Journey

David Postolski

Looking back, how do you feel about the life science startup journey?

Tomas Licciardo

I would do it again. The biggest adjustment would be managing expectations around timing.

Matt Silk

It’s challenging but rewarding. We’re solving meaningful problems.

John van den Berg

I’d absolutely do it again. You need optimism, adaptability, and resilience.

Learn practical tools to stay clear, strong, and resilient on your entrepreneurial journey!

In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, pressure is part of the journey — but it doesn’t have to break you. Mental Resilience for Entrepreneurs: Thriving Under Pressure is a powerful webinar designed to help founders, business owners, and startup teams build the emotional strength needed to sustain long-term success. Join us for an honest and practical conversation about the mental health challenges entrepreneurs face — including burnout, anxiety, decision fatigue, and isolation — and how to overcome them. You’ll learn proven tools and strategies to strengthen your mental fitness, maintain clarity under pressure, and create a healthier relationship with your business. Whether you're scaling your startup, managing a team, or launching your first idea, this session will equip you with insights to navigate the highs and lows of entrepreneurship with confidence and clarity.

Presented by the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and Gearhart Law on October 30, 2025

OUR SPEAKERS: Dr. Jennifer Russell: Dr. Russell is the Executive Director of the UNB Institute of Population Health and President of the NB College of Family Physicians. She previously served as NB's Chief Medical Officer of Health from 2018 to 2024, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her career spans clinical practice in family medicine, mental health, and addictions, as well as extensive public health leadership. She has also held roles in the Canadian Armed Forces and worked with the Horizon Health Network. She holds a BSc from UNB, a BA from Dalhousie, and a medical degree from Memorial University, completing her family medicine residency at Dalhousie in 2001. She has been recognized with two honorary doctorates (Mount Allison & Université de Moncton). Read more at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jennifer-russell-1bbaa290/

Dr. Calisha Brooks: Dr. Calisha Brooks is first a mother, daughter, sister, humanitarian and healer. Love is her religion, and service to others is her tithe to life. She is also the founder of Soul Care, a holistic mental health practice that centers healing and advocacy for people of color. Dr. Brooks holds a Ph.D. In Psychology from Tennessee State University, and received her training from the University of Norte Dame and Vanderbilt University. While at Vanderbilt she conducted research on race-based stress and trauma and developed an assessment that aids clinicians in identifying racial trauma in people of color. Currently Dr. Brooks serves as a mental health consultant and social impact advisor for MTV/Paramount and The George Floyd Memorial Foundation. She is also a lecturer, and mentor for Harvard University's Lehmann Program on Creativity and Entrepreneurship. Read more at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calishabrooksphd/

EVENT MODERATOR:

David Postolski, Esq. is a senior partner at Gearhart Law, is a registered patent attorney and Intellectual Property (IP) attorney for close to 20 years. David specializes in assisting inventors, creators, artists, start-ups, entrepreneurs, early-stage companies, and emerging companies with their U.S and international IP strategy, protection, enforcement, and monetization. David is a frequent speaker and author on emerging IP issues and technologies including, raising capital, business formation, food science, software, licensing, Data and Privacy Compliance, equity-based crowdfunding, and compliance with other US and International Regulatory structures. David is also a Professor at Temple University, Parsons School of Design and the Radzyner Law School (Herzliya, Israel) where he teaches master-level students about IP, ethics, and other regulatory considerations. David is a current Council Member of the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law, founder of their International Action Group, and editor of their monthly newsletter, and the outgoing Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Officer. David currently serves on Harvard’s Lemann Entrepreneurial Program Advisory Board. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

This event is sponsored by Gearhart Law, a full service Intellectual Property firm specializing in Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law domestically and globally. We serve inventors, entrepreneurs, and established businesses. We can help you strategize and build your IP portfolio based on your business needs. Call us for a free consultation at 908-273-0700 or contact us through: https://gearhartlaw.com/

In the fast-paced world of startups, your biggest assets are your people—and your ideas. But without the right legal foundations, you risk losing both. This practical webinar dives into the critical intersections of employment law and intellectual property (IP) that every founder, startup executive, and early-stage investor needs to understand.

Join us as we break down how to:

Whether you're pre-seed or post-Series A, this session will help you avoid costly legal missteps, protect your core innovations, and set up a compliant, growth-ready team structure.

Presented by the Entrepreneurial Strategy Series and Gearhart Law on August 28, 2025.

OUR SPEAKERS:

David Postolski, Esq. is a senior partner at Gearhart Law, is a registered patent attorney and Intellectual Property (IP) attorney for close to 20 years. David specializes in assisting inventors, creators, artists, start-ups, entrepreneurs, early-stage companies, and emerging companies with their U.S and international IP strategy, protection, enforcement, and monetization. David is a frequent speaker and author on emerging IP issues and technologies including, raising capital, business formation, food science, software, licensing, Data and Privacy Compliance, equity-based crowdfunding, and compliance with other US and International Regulatory structures. David is also a Professor at Temple University, Parsons School of Design and the Radzyner Law School (Herzliya, Israel) where he teaches master-level students about IP, ethics, and other regulatory considerations. David is a current Council Member of the American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law, founder of their International Action Group, and editor of their monthly newsletter, and the outgoing Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Officer. David currently serves on Harvard’s Lemann Entrepreneurial Program Advisory Board. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

Steven Frydman is a trademark and copyright attorney at Gearhart Law with a B.S. degree in business from the NYU Stern School of Business. He obtained his law degree from the Benjamin L. Cardozo Law School. Steven’s focus is protecting clients’ intellectual property through helping them to obtain and defend their trademarks and copyrights. Steven is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey. Read more at: https://gearhartlaw.com/

This event is sponsored by Gearhart Law, a full service Intellectual Property firm specializing in Patent, Trademark and Copyright Law domestically and globally. We serve inventors, entrepreneurs, and established businesses. We can help you strategize and build your IP portfolio based on your business needs. Call us for a free consultation at 908-273-0700 or contact us through: https://gearhartlaw.com/