IP Basics for Student Founders with Dan Holmander and Siri Nilsson

🗓️ Wednesday, September 17, 2026 ⏰ 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM 📍 Shea Center | Hayden Hall Room 202 | 245 Beacon St, Chestnut Hill You came up with the idea. You built the product. So can you protect it? IP is one of the first things investors and partners ask about, and one of the last things founders get around to. On September 17, the Office of Technology Transfer and Licensing (OTTL), BC's office for intellectual property, is bringing a top IP attorney to the Shea Center for an interactive session made for BC student founders. Whether you are still at the idea stage or already selling, come with your questions. Leave knowing how to protect what you have built, whether that is a consumer product, an app, or something that came out of your research. What you will walk away with: A clear picture of what IP protection actually coversThe difference between patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, and which ones matter for your startupPractical first steps to start protecting your workIP resources from OTTL, available to you as a BC founder at no costWhy come: OTTL will share IP resources with you ahead of the session so you can show up with real questions. You will also hear from an IP attorney whose clients normally include Fortune 500 companies and venture-backed startups, at no cost to you. This is a conversation, not a lecture. Bring what you are working on. Speakers: Dan Holmander Co-Chair, Intellectual Property Group, Adler Pollock & Sheehan Dan is a registered U.S. patent attorney with over 20 years of experience advising startups, research hospitals, and university tech transfer offices. His work spans consumer products, software, AI, and cleantech. He is recognized by Chambers USA, IP Stars, and Super Lawyers. Siri Nilsson Associate Director, BC Office of Technology Transfer and Licensing Siri leads OTTL's industry partnerships, licensing, contract drafting, copyright, software, AI, and trademark work and has guided BC researchers and student founders through IP strategy at every stage. What comes next: Attendees will get first access to sign up for Innovation Office Hours on October 1, where you can sit down with Siri and Dan for focused time on your specific startup. A sign up sheet will be released after the September 17 session. Questions? Contact Siri Nilsson at nilssons@bc.edu or Kelsey Kinton at kintonk@bc.edu. Sponsored by the BC Office of Technology Transfer and Licensing and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research.