Confidential Technology

What should I do if I have a sensitive idea or confidential technology – can I discuss it safely within the program?

Given that 1Mby1M, like many similar programs, doesn’t use NDAs for group settings, here’s what you should do to discuss a sensitive idea or confidential technology safely within the program:

1. Understand the Nature of Group Sessions:

• Public (or Semi-Public) Forum: Even “private roundtables” within 1Mby1M are still group settings with multiple participants. The core principle of these sessions is to share enough to get broad strategic feedback, not to conduct a deep dive into your proprietary “secret sauce.”
• Focus on High-Level Strategy: The value in these sessions is receiving expert advice on ideation, validation, positioning, go-to-market, and financing strategies. You can get this without revealing every granular detail of your technology or idea.

2. Strategize What You Disclose:

• The “What” and “Why,” Not the “How”:
  • What: Clearly articulate the problem you’re solving, the market opportunity, and the high-level solution you’re offering.
  • Why: Explain why your solution is unique, better, or more effective than existing alternatives (your core value proposition).
  • Avoid the “How”: Do not reveal the specific, intricate, and non-obvious technical details that constitute your unique intellectual property or trade secrets. For example, instead of describing a novel algorithm’s steps, you might say, “We use a proprietary AI algorithm that significantly reduces processing time by X%.”
• Focus on Market and Business Model: Emphasize your understanding of the market, your customer acquisition strategy, your revenue model, and your team’s unique capabilities. These are often more critical for early-stage feedback than deep technical specifics.
• Generalize When Necessary: If you have a highly sensitive technical approach, generalize it. Instead of saying “Our system uses a new type of quantum encryption at Layer 7,” you might say, “We have developed advanced security protocols that provide enterprise-grade protection.”

3. Leverage Formal IP Protection Before Disclosure:

• File Provisional Patents: If your technology is patentable, strongly consider filing a provisional patent application before discussing it publicly. This gives you a “priority date” and one year to file a full patent application, providing some protection while you gather feedback.
• Identify and Protect Trade Secrets: Understand what constitutes a trade secret in your business (e.g., customer lists, specific formulas, unique manufacturing processes). Implement internal measures to protect these (e.g., access controls, employee NDAs, strong internal policies). Remember, trade secrets are only protected if they are truly kept secret.
• Copyright and Trademark: Ensure your branding (trademark) and creative works (copyright, like software code if applicable) are also being considered for formal protection.

4. The “Execution Advantage”:

• Remember the common startup wisdom: “Ideas are cheap, execution is everything.” Even if someone hears your idea, the ability to successfully execute it—build the product, attract customers, scale, and navigate market challenges—is your true competitive differentiator. Most people in these programs are focused on their own ventures, not on stealing yours.

5. When to Use Private Consulting:

• The Safest Route for Deep Disclosure: If you absolutely must discuss highly sensitive, unpatented technical details or proprietary information that forms the core of your competitive advantage to get the specific advice you need, then booking a private 1-on-1 consulting session with Sramana Mitra is the appropriate path.
• Discussion of Confidentiality: In such private sessions, you would be engaging directly with Sramana and can discuss confidentiality expectations more thoroughly. While a formal NDA for an initial 1-hour session might not be standard, the very nature of a paid, private consultation implies a higher level of trust and discretion. If a more extensive engagement were to develop, custom terms, which could include specific confidentiality clauses, would be worked out.

In summary: For general strategic advice in 1Mby1M’s group sessions, exercise caution and self-censorship regarding your most sensitive IP. Leverage formal IP protections proactively. For discussions requiring deep dives into highly confidential or sensitive technology, private 1-on-1 consulting with Sramana Mitra is the designated and safer channel, where specific confidentiality terms can be discussed and arranged.