Overview
This part-time Equity Cofounder role offers an opportunity to contribute to a pioneering blockchain project focused on bridging Web3 technology with enterprise business adoption. The organization is developing an AI-enabled Layer-0 Operating System integrated with a Layer-1 blockchain and decentralized infrastructure, including compute, storage, identity, and service marketplaces, alongside a full-stack development environment designed for scalable enterprise use and developer innovation.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive intellectual property (IP) strategy aligned with the organization's Layer-0/Layer-1 blockchain, DePIN, post-quantum security, decentralized compute, and AI technology roadmap.
- Lead invention harvesting sessions with engineering, research, cryptography, kernel, protocol, and product teams to identify patentable innovations.
- Prepare, draft, and file high-quality provisional and non-provisional patent applications covering software systems, decentralized architectures, cryptographic protocols, quantum-resistant technologies, AI systems, and hardware-software integrations.
- Draft precise and enforceable patent claims that protect long-term competitive advantage while supporting rapid innovation.
- Conduct in-depth technical prior-art research in blockchain, cryptography, distributed systems, AI, cloud-native architectures, and related fields; evaluate patentability and identify opportunities for defensive publications.
- Monitor competitor patents and industry IP trends; advise leadership on portfolio prioritization and freedom-to-operate considerations.
- Collaborate with engineering and research leaders to translate complex technical concepts into accurate legal language while preserving engineering intent.
- Advise on licensing, open-source compliance, IP ownership for contributors and cofounders, and confidentiality processes.
- Support commercial, funding, partnership, and due-diligence efforts with IP-related documentation and risk assessments.
- Establish scalable internal processes for invention disclosure, documentation, and portfolio management within a distributed equity-cofounder model.
Requirements
- Minimum 5 years of experience drafting and filing provisional and non-provisional patents for software, cloud, cryptography, distributed systems, or blockchain technologies.
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar.
- Registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Patent Bar.
- Strong technical understanding of blockchain architecture, cryptographic protocols, distributed systems, cloud computing, or decentralized infrastructure.
- Proven ability to write clear, technically detailed patent claims for complex emerging technologies.
- Experience managing or contributing to a patent portfolio for a high-innovation technology company or research organization.
- Comfortable working autonomously in a globally distributed, equity-cofounder team environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Direct experience with Layer-0/Layer-1 blockchain systems such as Cosmos SDK, EVM, consensus protocols, or DAGs.
- Background in post-quantum cryptography, zero-knowledge proofs, fully homomorphic encryption, AI systems, WASM, decentralized compute, or DePIN.
- Experience with international patent strategies, PCT filings, and multi-jurisdiction prosecution.
- Prior work supporting startups, deep-tech R&D teams, or high-velocity innovation environments.
- Technical degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or related field, or equivalent deep technical fluency.
- Familiarity with open-source licensing, contributor IP frameworks, and technology transfer in collaborative environments.
First 90-Day Focus
- Conduct a comprehensive audit of existing invention disclosures, provisional filings, and near-term technical roadmaps.
- Develop a prioritized patent filing plan aligned with mainnet and core platform milestones.
- Establish regular invention harvesting sessions and collaboration processes with Engineering, Research, Cryptography, and Product leadership.
- Define core claim strategies and portfolio architecture for Layer-0/Layer-1, identity/security, compute, and AI technology areas.
- Align with executive leadership on IP strategy, risk posture, and resource priorities.
- Identify high-impact near-term patent opportunities to protect foundational innovations and support upcoming commercial and funding activities.
Compensation & Benefits
- This is a part-time equity and token-based cofounder position.
- Equity allocations in the parent organization, the blockchain project, and associated networks.
- Token allocations on the blockchain platform.
- Initial financing has been completed to support infrastructure and marketing.
- Discussions with venture capital and crypto investors are ongoing to fund expansion and salaries.
- Salaried compensation is expected to commence following node deployment, token sales, or additional funding rounds.
Location
- This role operates within a globally distributed team environment.
Additional Information
The organization is developing a next-generation blockchain platform with microsecond latencies and mathematically proven security, aiming to surpass existing execution environments. The technology stack includes attack-resistant consensus, encrypted computation, sovereign communication systems, and DePIN networks delivering high-throughput secure compute. The team comprises experts from top universities, Fortune 500 companies, and major blockchain platforms, including multiple PhDs and senior engineers.
This role is suited for candidates ready to engage deeply with cutting-edge blockchain and cryptographic technologies, contributing to the protection and strategic management of intellectual property critical to the organization's long-term success.