Aletia Oberholster
Head of Brands and Intellectual Property
How I work (commercial viability, technology feasibility, sustainable deals)
- Define the metrics that inform commercially viable terms
- Understand the feasible value drivers of the technology offering
- Identify the metrics that inform cashflow and the venture’s growth
- Design the most appropriate IP strategy
- Translate these metrics into a clean, executable deal
You’ll leave with clarity on what can be done, what can’t, and what happens next.
What I help clients do
- Structure and negotiate tech transfer and commercialisation arrangements
- Build IP valuation models that protect value while enabling growth
- Assist start-ups with a seller-side strategies when negotiating with Venture Capitals
- Facilitate foreign IP transactions and related SARB compliance
- Structure IP ownership: background vs foreground IP, contributions and improvements
- All transactional work pertaining to the matters above
Insights from Gerard
Credentials
- Holds a PhD in Indigenous Knowledge Law.
- Holds an LLM focused on the fair dealing doctrine.
- Has a background in mechanical engineering, bringing technical and commercial insight to legal work.
- Extensive experience in technology transfer, intellectual property commercialisation, and policy development.
- Has led the commercialisation of intellectual property portfolios and the establishment of start-up companies at major South African universities.
- Has worked on the licensing of university inventions internationally.
