Hidden Value, Hidden Risk: The Critical Role of IP in M&A
Presented By: McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd. / Plante Moran
In transactions involving technology and intellectual property, value and risk are often two sides of the same asset. This session explores how buyers, sellers, and advisors identify, assess, and mitigate risks tied to proprietary technology, data, and other intangible assets. Hear perspectives from an experienced CEO, an investor who views IP as a core value driver, and an IP attorney who advises companies on protecting their assets and preparing for technology-focused transactions.
Moderator:
Chief Content Officer
Smart Business
Dustin is an award-winning business journalist, bestselling author, and the chief content officer of Smart Business. Over the past 30 years, he has interviewed thousands of business and civic leaders, and helped more than 50 CEOs and entrepreneurs transform their ideas into books. A trained investigative politics reporter and former digital media entrepreneur, Dustin joined Smart Business in 1997 after serving as an editor at several daily newspapers.
Panelists:
Co-Founder & CEO
SubSummit
Chris George is the Co-Founder and CEO of SubSummit, the largest meetup for subscription, membership, and loyalty brands. A serial entrepreneur, Chris has launched seven companies and successfully exited three, including the popular subscription brand Gentleman's Box and, most recently SubSummit.
Chris founded SubSummit to bring together founders, operators, and innovators building recurring-revenue businesses across eCommerce, SaaS, and retail. Under his leadership, SubSummit has grown into the largest event dedicated to the subscription industry, bringing together hundreds of brands, technology partners, and thought leaders each year.
Chris is passionate about helping entrepreneurs grow profitable businesses and regularly mentors emerging brands, invests in startups, and shares practical insights on acquisition, retention, and scaling subscription models.
Managing Director
Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund
John Seamans is Managing Director of the Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund, investing in and advising med/bio/health startups. With a foundation in electrical and biomedical engineering, he has developed novel medical signal processing algorithms, led the design of cardiovascular imaging technologies at GE Healthcare, and held leadership roles at a breast cancer screening startup before pivoting into venture capital.
President & Shareholder
McAndrews, Held & Malloy
Robert Surrette is a Shareholder and serves as President of McAndrews, Held & Malloy. He focuses his practice on the resolution of intellectual property and technology-related disputes with an emphasis on patent, trademark, trade secret and trade dress litigation. For the last 20 years, Bob has counseled a leading global medical device manufacturer on numerous litigation and transactional matters.
Partner, Business Technology Advisory
Plante Moran, PLLC
Craig is a partner in Plante Moran’s technology consulting practice, where he helps middle-market companies and private equity investors leverage enterprise technology to improve performance and support growth. His team advises organizations across the full technology lifecycle. In addition, Craig leads IT M&A advisory services, supporting investors with IT due diligence and guiding acquired companies through post-close improvement and assimilation planning during the value creation period.