FLO Chennai Chapter Startup Vertical, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) Hub, Chennai, and Puthran & Associates, organized a masterclass, “From Idea to Patent: Assessing Novelty and Patentability.” It was designed as a focused learning platform for startups, innovators, researchers, students, and aspiring inventors seeking to strengthen their understanding of intellectual property and innovation protection.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Ms. Vanitha Venugopal, CEO – iTNT Hub & Chairperson – Startup Vertical, FICCI FLO, Chennai, who highlighted the growing importance of intellectual property in transforming innovative ideas into scalable, protectable, and commercially viable ventures. The masterclass was led by Ms. Elizabeth Puthran, Founder Partner, and Ms. Suganya Jayavelu, Patent Manager, from Puthran & Associates.
Through practical examples and industry insights, participants gained a deeper understanding of patentability criteria, novelty assessment, prior art searches, and the patent filing process.
The session also addressed common challenges faced by inventors while protecting their innovations and provided clarity on evaluating the legal and commercial potential of new ideas. Around 29 participants, including 7 IP Consultation beneficiaries, participated in this masterclass.
A key highlight of the programme was the interactive Q&A session and one-on-one IP consultations, which enabled participants to engage directly with the experts and receive personalised guidance. The masterclass concluded with valuable networking interactions, reinforcing the importance of intellectual property awareness in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.