Startup founders gathered at the Venture Center in Pune, India, to discuss the often-overlooked significance of intellectual property (IP) rights in the sports innovation sector. This event was part of the lead-up to World Intellectual Property Day on April 26, themed 'IP and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate.' Dr. V Premnath, the Founding Director of Venture Center, highlighted that trademarks, such as those of Roger Federer and Usain Bolt, showcase the protective power of IP. Panelists, including healthcare entrepreneur Dr. Avijan Sinha and Divyakshi Kaushik, Founder of Anatomech, emphasized that IP protection is vital for startups to defend their innovations against larger competitors. They shared insights on the challenges faced in securing IP, including potential conflicts with similar names and the importance of patents in boosting startup confidence. The discussion concluded with advice for entrepreneurs to make their ideas market-ready within a year and to prioritize IP investment over growth, as having a robust IP can significantly influence a startup's success.