Tim Stirrup is a seasoned intellectual property (IP) professional with over 15 years of experience in IP management, commercialisation, and consulting. His expertise spans cleantech, biotech, process chemistry, pharma, microfluidics, optics, foodtech and agritech. In these diverse fields, Tim has successfully managed and developed comprehensive IP portfolios for many innovative companies.

​

His work ensures robust protection and strategic positioning of client’s intellectual assets for capital raising, licensing, acquisition, or litigation. He collaborates with executive boards and steering groups to establish and align IP strategies with corporate visions for a sustainable future.

As an IP Consultant to Outset Ventures, Bridgewest Ventures, Motion Capital and IceHouse Ventures, Tim offers IP due diligence services to inform investor decision-making; focused on IP asset strength, breadth, validity, ownership and landscape. Identification of risks and opportunities enables better investment decisions; guidance on enhancement of IP position enables better investment outcomes.

AI-assisted patent intelligence provides insights on the patent landscape and competitor portfolios. This drives informed commercial and jurisdiction-specific decision-making.

Tim also provides strategic advice to early-stage companies, supporting their development and investor-readiness through mentoring and identification/protection of IP assets.

As a Registered Patent Attorney, Tim has worked at a top tier private practice IP law firm, Auckland UniServices and several IP-rich start-ups.  He has extensive experience in drafting patent specifications, prosecuting patent applications in NZ and overseas, handling patent oppositions, and providing opinions on patent infringement, validity and litigation. His proven track record in managing global patent portfolios (such as the University of Auckland’s) and advising on freedom-to-operate risks has made him a valuable resource for both local and international clients.

Tim has also lectured and published articles on international best practice for the protection of Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous Innovation.
He has developed and led IP workshops for KiwiNet, the University of Auckland, and SfTI. Additionally, his publication record includes award-winning journal articles in the IP law field and co-authored legal texts, including the Lexis Nexis IP Practical Guidance Module and the Annotated Commentary of the NZ Patents Act.