Altitude Capital Partners

Altitude Capital Partners, also known as Altitude Capital, is a private equity firm that specializes in investing in intellectual property assets, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The firm was founded in 2005 by Robert Kramer and Lee J. Van Pelt, both of whom had extensive experience in intellectual property law and finance.

Altitude Capital's investment strategy is to identify promising intellectual property assets that are being underutilized or undervalued and acquire them at a discounted price. The firm then works with the owners of the assets to develop commercialization strategies and licensing agreements to maximize their value.

One of Altitude Capital's most notable investments was in a portfolio of patents related to digital music compression technology. The firm acquired the patents in 2006 and licensed them to major music companies, including Apple and Microsoft. The licensing agreements generated significant revenue for Altitude Capital and helped establish the firm as a leading player in the intellectual property investment space.

In addition to its investment activities, Altitude Capital has also been involved in several high-profile intellectual property lawsuits. In 2007, the firm filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Google, Yahoo!, and AOL, alleging that their search advertising systems violated a patent held by one of Altitude Capital's portfolio companies. The lawsuit was settled in 2010, with the defendants agreeing to pay $133 million to Altitude Capital.

Altitude Capital has also been active in promoting intellectual property rights and advocating for policy changes that benefit IP owners. The firm has participated in several industry groups and has testified before Congress on intellectual property issues.

In recent years, Altitude Capital has shifted its focus from actively acquiring and managing intellectual property assets to providing advisory services to companies and investors in the IP space. The firm continues to be a respected voice in the intellectual property industry and a pioneer in the development of new investment strategies in this area.

Altitude Capital Partners, or Altitude Capital, specializes in investing in intellectual property assets, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The firm has unique investment criteria that are focused on identifying underutilized or undervalued intellectual property assets with significant commercialization potential. Below are some of the key factors that Altitude Capital considers when evaluating potential investments:

• Quality of the Intellectual Property: Altitude Capital looks for intellectual property assets that are high-quality and defensible. This means that the assets must be novel, non-obvious, and have a clear market application. The firm also looks for patents that have broad claims and can withstand legal challenges.
• Market Potential: The firm evaluates the market potential for the intellectual property asset and considers factors such as the size of the market, the competition, and the potential for revenue generation. Altitude Capital looks for assets that have a significant market opportunity and can generate substantial returns on investment.
• Commercialization Potential: Altitude Capital invests in intellectual property assets with a clear path to commercialization. This means that the firm looks for assets that have a well-defined market and a clear strategy for monetization. The firm may also work with the owners of the assets to develop commercialization strategies and licensing agreements to maximize their value.
• Strong Management Team: Altitude Capital looks for assets that are backed by a strong management team with a track record of success in the relevant industry. The firm believes that a strong management team is critical to the success of an intellectual property investment.
• Legal and Regulatory Considerations: Altitude Capital evaluates the legal and regulatory environment surrounding the intellectual property asset to ensure that there are no legal or regulatory barriers to commercialization. The firm also considers the potential for legal challenges from competitors and evaluates the strength of the asset's patent claims.

Altitude Capital's investment criteria focus on identifying high-quality intellectual property assets with significant commercialization potential, a clear path to monetization, a strong management team, and a favourable legal and regulatory environment. By using this approach, the firm has been able to generate significant returns for its investors and establish itself as a leading player in the intellectual property investment space.

• Integrity: Altitude Capital places a strong emphasis on integrity and ethical behaviour in all of its business dealings. The firm believes that honesty and transparency are essential to building trust with its investors and partners.
• Innovation: Altitude Capital values innovation and creativity and seeks to invest in intellectual property assets that have the potential to disrupt and transform their respective industries. The firm believes that intellectual property is a critical driver of innovation and progress and seeks to support and invest in companies that are at the forefront of technological advancements.
• Results-Oriented: Altitude Capital is results-oriented and seeks to generate strong returns for its investors. The firm employs a disciplined investment approach that focuses on identifying high-quality intellectual property assets with significant commercialization potential.
• Collaborative: Altitude Capital values collaboration and believes that partnerships are essential to success in the intellectual property investment space. The firm works closely with its investors, partners, and portfolio companies to develop and execute investment strategies and maximize returns.
• Social Responsibility: Altitude Capital is committed to social responsibility and believes that businesses have a responsibility to make a positive impact on society. The firm seeks to invest in companies that have a clear social and environmental mission and strives to create value not just for its investors, but also for society as a whole.

"At Altitude Capital, our mission is to create superior investment returns by identifying, investing in, and managing a diversified portfolio of high-quality intellectual property assets. We believe that intellectual property is a critical driver of innovation and progress, and we are committed to supporting and investing in companies that are at the forefront of technological advancements. Our goal is to build long-term partnerships with our investors and partners by providing superior investment performance, transparency, and accountability. We are also committed to making a positive impact on society by investing in companies that have a clear social and environmental mission. We believe that by embodying our values of integrity, innovation, results, collaboration, and social responsibility, we can achieve our mission and generate value for our investors and society as a whole."

In summary, Altitude Capital's mission statement is focused on identifying and investing in high-quality intellectual property assets that have the potential to generate strong returns for its investors while also making a positive impact on society. The firm is committed to building long-term partnerships with its investors and partners by providing transparency, accountability, and superior investment performance. By embodying its core values, Altitude Capital aims to achieve its mission and generate value for all stakeholders involved.

The firm has a diverse portfolio of companies that span a range of industries, including technology, healthcare, and consumer products. Below are some examples of companies in Altitude Capital's portfolio:

• Clearwater Clinical: Clearwater Clinical is a healthcare technology company that develops software solutions for audiology and hearing health. The company's flagship product, SHOEBOX, is an iPad-based audiometer that provides a fast and accurate hearing test that can be administered remotely.
• Acorn Energy: Acorn Energy is a technology company that specializes in remote monitoring and control systems for critical infrastructure, including energy, oil and gas, and transportation. The company's flagship product, OmniMetrix, is a cloud-based monitoring solution that provides real-time data on critical assets and infrastructure.
• Litigation Risk Analysis: Litigation Risk Analysis is a legal analytics company that provides predictive analytics and consulting services to law firms and corporations. The company's proprietary software uses machine learning algorithms to analyze legal data and provide insights on case outcomes and litigation risk.
• Reflexion Interactive Technologies: Reflexion Interactive Technologies is a sports technology company that develops cognitive training and assessment tools for athletes. The company's flagship product, the Reflexion Edge, is a portable cognitive training device that can be used by athletes to improve their reaction time, visual processing speed, and decision-making skills.
• Hydromer: Hydromer is a speciality materials company that develops and manufactures polymer coatings and additives for medical devices, industrial applications, and consumer products. The company's proprietary coatings and additives provide a range of benefits, including lubricity, antimicrobial properties, and biocompatibility.