About Patent VC
Patent VC is a venture capital firm investing in early-stage Silicon Valley startups, combining capital with legal and IP expertise. The firm operates as AI-first, backing founders with experienced attorneys as general counsel from day one. Its sole limited partner is Trademarkia, a profitable operating company generating $150K–$250K per month in free cash flow allocated to investments. Investment checks range from $50K–$200K, with expected deployment of $1.5M–$2M annually. All investment decisions are made by equal vote of the partnership.
The Role
This is a venture partner position — a hybrid between law and VC. Successful candidates will source deals, support portfolio companies as general counsel, and share equity upside while practicing law. The role is in-office on Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive deal flow through Silicon Valley ecosystem networking with VCs, founders, accelerators, and operators
- Present at events, host gatherings, and represent the firm publicly; comfort on stage is essential
- Serve as general counsel for portfolio companies across litigation, trademark work, licensing, and corporate matters
- Deliver legal services; patent prosecution experience is preferred but not required
- Leverage AI tools to amplify output and efficiency
- Vote as an equal partner on all investment decisions
Compensation Structure
- Base salary: approximately $100K (intentionally modest)
- First-year partner draw: $300K in investment allocation authority
- Equity participation proportional to capital deployed
- Long-term upside through profit and exit distributions
Ideal Candidate
- Attorney ready to transition from billable hours to equity-focused wealth building
- Financially positioned for a lower salary in exchange for equity upside
- Well-rounded legal background across litigation, licensing, and corporate work
- AI-fluent mindset actively integrating AI into practice
- Natural networker comfortable with public presence and event participation
- Based in the Bay Area, able to work in-office
- Believer in the embedded general counsel model for startups
Years of experience do not matter — candidates may be recent law school graduates or veterans with 25 years of practice.