Taking CashEdge From Startup to Successful $465 Million Acquisition
The CashEdge story is an example of Barbara Courtney’s ongoing successful collaboration with a company that began as an early stage startup. CashEdge is a software company that presented a groundbreaking financial application, essentially enabling the online money transfers that most of us use every day. They required assistance with protecting their valuable IP. In the course of our collaboration with the company, two significant obstacles were overcome.
The first was that there are many companies developing and marketing “financial software,” but that term typically referred to accounting systems. Working closely with the founders, we determined how to articulate the ways in which CashEdge was presenting something completely new. Essentially, it had to be conveyed in the patent application and claims that CashEdge provided a customer interface for money transfers, an extensive backend interface with financial institutions, and compliance with banking regulations to enable instant online money transfers.
The second hurdle was that the perspective of both the patent office and the courts on whether software can be patented has varied through the years. Unfortunately, CashEdge was bringing its product to market at a time when it was very difficult to get patent coverage for software.
Leveraging Expertise and Relationships to Protect the Client’s IP
Over the course of more than a decade, we used our understanding of the patent system and our relationships with key players within that system to secure many patents for CashEdge under very challenging circumstances. We also provided attentive management of the company’s entire patent portfolio, and participated in a smooth IP due diligence in the course of the eventual acquisition.
Ultimately, CashEdge was acquired by Fiserv, a major public company, for $465 million. Today, the principals behind CashEdge have demonstrated their confidence in Barbara Courtney and Martensen IP by having us represent them as they look to establish and grow their next startup.
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“Together we’ve filed for and been awarded several patents throughout the world, with Martensen taking on the vast majority of the preparation workload.”- Mik Farley, ICON Aircraft
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“Keen ability to target and successfully capture IP concepts for further development.”- David Bruemmer, 5D Robotics
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“Navigated our patent applications from complex technology to award. Mike’s global associates helped inform and execute our global strategy.”- Julie Zinn, Spirae
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“Trusted counsel who distills complex technology and legal matters into simple terms.”- Richard Kinsman, TERSUS
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“Tremendously useful to get advice from someone who thinks beyond the pure legal calculus and works well with business people.”- Jay Jesse, Intelligent Software Solutions
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“Working with them is a pleasure and they are always on top of the various deadlines associated with our IP needs.”- Leif Ullman, CEO, KidReports
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“We trust you to guide us through these challenging journeys.”- Steen Strand, ICON Aircraft
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“AWESOME GROUP TO WORK WITH! Knows their stuff backward and forwards and doesn't lead you on.”- Eric S.
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“Above and beyond with their kindness and willingness to speak to you about your situation even before setting up a consultation. This tells me that they have a heart to serve.”- Serenity P.
