Founded by Mads Viborg Jørgensen and Jesper Ohrt Juel Jensen, the company combines innovation, purpose, and data-driven solutions to free innovators from bureaucracy and help them focus on solving the world’s biggest problems.

PatentRenewal.com offers a modern and innovative solution for managing intellectual property renewals, including patents, trademarks, utility models, and designs. Their intuitive software simplifies and automates the entire renewal process, providing unparalleled cost transparency and efficiency. By eliminating middlemen and inflated fees, they help IP owners reduce unnecessary administrative burdens and save on costs—all at one of the most competitive prices in the market.

Background

Born and raised in Denmark, Mads Viborg Jørgensen always aimed high. Already during his teenage years, he focused on surpassing expectations and building connections with others who shared his passion for learning and innovation.

At the age of 18, Mads became president in the world’s largest youth associations for scientists and engineers, with 500 volunteers and 55,000 members. This humbling yet inspiring experience ignited his passion for empowering talented individuals and introduced him to some of the brightest minds he has encountered to this day. While his fascination with science remained, Mads realized his strengths lay elsewhere. Determined to contribute to innovation differently, he pursued university studies in computer science and finance, equipping himself with the tools to tackle complex business challenges.

After completing his education, Mads joined Danske Bank, gaining valuable insights under leaders like Anders Hartlev, later CEO of Lunar Bank, one of Denmark’s unicorns. However, his banking experience reinforced his desire to create something impactful. Reconnecting with his longtime friend Jesper Ohrt Juel Jensen, they co-founded PatentRenewal.com, aiming to simplify the notoriously complex and bureaucratic patent renewal process. Their goal: to let innovators focus on solving global challenges, free from administrative hurdles.

The early days

The initial team at PatentRenewal.com was small but dynamic, each member bringing unique skills. Among them was Dávid Breitenbach, whose rapidly growing responsibilities soon outpaced his title, making him pivotal to the company’s operations and growth.

The company focused on automating patent renewals, a deceptively complex task due to varying laws, regulations, and timelines across jurisdictions. Rather than being deterred, the team saw these challenges as an opportunity for innovation, simplifying a long-standing pain point for IP owners. A major breakthrough came with the company’s collaboration with Statens Serum Institut, the Danish Centre for Disease Control—a partnership that has now lasted nearly seven years and validated the platform’s value.

However, building trust with cautious IP sectors was a hurdle. Many businesses relied on established relationships with their lawyers. Recognizing this, the team pivoted by collaborating with law firms, whose endorsements helped PatentRenewal.com build credibility and expand its customer base.

Amid these challenges, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the company to adapt quickly. As businesses sought cost reductions, PatentRenewal.com highlighted its ability to save costs through efficient patent management. This resonated with customers and by implementing the message across different marketing channels, the company was able to transform its GTM strategy from founder-led sales to inbound.

Scaling the company

As the customer base grew, so did the need for a strong, purpose-driven team. Starting as a small group, PatentRenewal.com expanded to nearly 40 employees across diverse roles. Mads and Jesper focused on hiring smart, independent thinkers who aligned with the company’s mission. They prioritized technical expertise and shared values while fostering a flat, collaborative culture that encouraged idea-sharing and process improvements.

With employees from over 20 countries, the team became a melting pot of perspectives that fueled innovation. Mads noted that despite being based in Denmark, Danish was no longer the office’s second most spoken language—Spanish and Hungarian had taken its place.

To maintain alignment, the founders introduced a “team book” outlining company values and operating principles, essential for onboarding and collaboration. Recognizing the need for experienced leadership, they hired key roles like a Head of Customer Success to refine processes to maximize scalability.

In 2023, PatentRenewal.com secured funding from Vendep Capital after years of bootstrapping. Jupe Arala, General Partner at Vendep, shared, “We were immediately drawn to this team’s expertise and commitment to solving real problems within the IP and patent space. Their early traction and vertical SaaS solution made it clear this was the right opportunity for us.”

The funding allowed the company to hire top-tier talent, enhance its platform, and professionalize sales and marketing. Transitioning to a structured inbound approach, more than 50% of new customers now come through inbound channels—a testament to the business model’s scalability.

Vision for the future

While patent renewals remain the primary focus, PatentRenewal.com aims to provide a comprehensive suite of IP management tools to tackle broader challenges faced by innovators and organizations.

“I am still frustrated by how much time some of the smartest people in the world spend on bureaucracy and trivial tasks instead of solving the world’s problems,” Mads shared, underscoring the company’s ongoing mission.

A key part of this vision involves leveraging insights from the global IP ecosystem. By analyzing data on patents, trademarks, and intellectual property, PatentRenewal.com plans to provide customers with tools that accelerate their work, improve collaboration, and streamline the IP lifecycle to foster more innovation.

What is some of the advice that Mads would give to other founders that are just starting their venture?

1. Get started now. Building a €1M ARR business takes time, and the early years are the most exciting.
2. Seek diverse advice. No single strategy works for every company, so gather input from mentors, advisors, and board members.
3. Start with a narrow ICP and expand it later on.
4. Set the bar high. A compelling purpose and good culture attract top talent, even for startups with limited brand awareness.