We're Patent Nerds

Michael Lubitz

Michael is the founder and managing director of GTT Group, a global patent asset transaction and analysis firm. As an entrepreneur, Michael’s startups have been acquired by Softbank and Hewlett Packard. Words that Michael lives by: “No mud, no lotus. No lotus, no mud” (Thich Nhat Hahn).

Masa Murayama

Masa is the creative visionary behind Ideaship. An entrepreneur and quiet maverick, Masa created the business model and originated the Ideaship concept. His responsibilities include due diligence, investee company development and value creation. Prior to Ideaship, Masa was the Head of IP Strategy for the Audio, Video, and Communication (AVC) Technology and Products Division of Panasonic. Words that Masa lives by: “Courage without wisdom is mischief, and wisdom without courage is nonsense” (Erich Kästner).

Amanda Oborne

Amanda is Managing Director of Ideaship. She has supported hundreds of founders during her time as Executive Director of Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) and is particularly adept at mapping a gameplan and structure where none exists. She has a master’s degree from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s from Washington University in St. Louis. Words that Amanda lives by: “The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.” ― Lao Tzu

Josh Sibble

Josh provides operational and strategic guidance for Panasonic’s collaboration at Ideaship. Throughout his career as a patent attorney, Josh has worked at all stages of a patent’s life-cycle–from innovation harvesting, through U.S. and international procurement, to all aspects of monetization and enforcement. Josh spent many years living and working in Japan, and his favorite Japanese proverb is “Ichi-go ichi-e” (once in a lifetime), which reminds us that although we have many meetings in our lives, each one is a gift.

Tyler McKinley

Tyler is Managing Director of both GTT Group and Ideaship. Supporting the entrepreneur and innovator is central to Tyler’s mission having founded or co-founded five start-ups over his career. He took his most recent start-up from concept to acquisition in seven years. Tyler graduated from the University of Oregon School of Journalism and trained to find the signal in the noise. He holds 21 patents in the areas of precision timing and geolocation, mobile devices, steganography, smart meters, synchronized metrology in power systems, and video encoding. Words that Tyler lives by: “Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” Publilius

John Brancolini

John provides strategic due diligence, patent development support, operational guidance, and leadership based upon his over 20 years experience in providing patent prosecution services. Having experience as both a Patent Examiner at the U.S. Patent Office and as a Patent Agent (in-house and at various law firms), John has developed a uniquely holistic approach to patent development support and prosecution management. Words John tries to live by: “To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” – Douglas Adams

Masaaki (Matt) Murata

Matt provides invention mining, patent development/prosecution support and IP utilization service. Prior to the Ideaship, Matt’s practice was focused on prosecuting patent applications and negotiating in the field of electronics components such as sensors, switches, and LCDs in Panasonic. He is a patent attorney of Japan. Words that Matt lives by: “Hi-ni-Aratani, Hibi-ni-Aratanari” (Keep improving day by day. It is extremely important to think and do things from a new perspective on a daily basis, without being bound by past ideas and past ways of doing things).

Kari Lubitz

Kari is a managing director of GTT Group and brings her vast operational management experience to Ideaship in a marketing capacity. Kari graduated from Portland State University with a BS in Business Management, has worked for GTT Group for 14 years and prior to that Kari had her own small business management firm for more than a decade. “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” Maya Angelou

Alex Harry

Alex has led prosecution, analysis and portfolio management for over a thousand patents in a wide variety of sectors for companies ranging from startups to Fortune 500. He’s both methodical and passionate, and has a keen sense for developing claims that effectively support Ideaship startups’ business growth objectives. Alex has been a patent analyst since 2008 and a registered patent agent since 2014. He has a B.S. in Mechanical engineering from Oregon State University and has worked in domains including medical devices, aerospace, mobile communications, robotics and AI/ML. Alex is inspired by Lyndon Johnson’s words: “There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.”

Ainsley Lloyd

Byron Godsey

Byron serves as the Finance Director of Ideaship and oversees finance, accounting, and investee company monitoring. He is also responsible for due diligence, and providing early stage accounting and financing support for investee companies. Before joining GTT Group and becoming a team member of Ideaship, Byron was a Senior Management Analyst for BearingPoint. He holds a B.S. in International Business Management from Brigham Young University and a M.S. in Financial Analysis from Portland State University. Words that Byron lives by: “In the fields of observation chance favors only the prepared mind” (Louis Pasteur).

Yukiko Ryonai