Integrity, trust, honesty, support, and protection are just some of the words that come to mind when we think of Katie Kupstas, a superpower intellectual agent for women who have an idea they want to see grow into a successful product or service through patenting or trademarking.
Realizing the immense potential that intellectual property holds for women’s economic independence and recognition, I have embarked on a mission to bridge the gender gap in patent ownership.
In 2016, fueled by her commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, Katie founded the Inventors Club for Women. Her organization’s primary goal is to create an inclusive platform that nurtures and supports women innovators, providing them with the necessary guidance and expertise to protect and maximize their intellectual property assets.
Under her leadership, the Inventors Club for Women has launched targeted initiatives aimed at increasing the number of women patent and trademark holders. Through educational workshops, webinars, and networking events, Katie and her team have been instrumental in educating women about the intricacies of intellectual property rights and strategies for success.
If you are a woman and you have an idea that you really want to pursue, I want to be the first to tell you what not to do, and that would be to not go to any of these inventor’s companies, they are predatory professionals. Do your research, and if you do find me first on Google, that is great, I provide all the right steps to save the most amount of money throughout the entire process.
Katie understands the importance of equipping women with the right tools and resources to succeed in the competitive world of intellectual property. It helps that her husband is a patent attorney and as a team, they can make the process less stressful and ensure integrity from start to finish.
I started what I do because my husband is an intellectual property attorney. His rate of allowance is extremely high because he’s a former patent examiner with the United States Patent Trademark Office (USPTO). He comes from a deep place of integrity to make sure that he’s not overcharging, and to make sure that inventors fully understand what they’re getting for what they pay for: the whole process.
Katie’s determination to close the gender gap in patent ownership is evident in her pursuit of this critical mission. Her relentless efforts have yielded significant results, contributing to an increase in the percentage of the number of women patent holders in the United States, and working hard every day to surpass it.
Katie is currently working with a member who has a pet product line that she discovered will double as a baby line, as well.
I’ve been on the ground floor with her throughout this entire process, so it’s exciting to see the thing really birth into an actual product. Typically, the women that are creating are creating products that are near and dear to their hearts, like the Little Vittles line. They’re creating to better the world around them, their families, and because maybe something happened to them that they want to improve upon.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Katie’s dedication to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for women in innovation and creativity has earned her widespread recognition and accolades. She continues to be an influential advocate for gender equality in intellectual property and an inspiration to women in various fields.
Coming up this Fall, Katie will be recognized as a Mainline Women of Influence and featured in the Mainline Family Magazine. She will also be speaking at local universities, including Villanova.
I remain committed to empowering women, championing their ideas, and shaping a brighter future where their contributions to intellectual property are recognized, celebrated, and rewarded on par with their male counterparts.
Photo Credits: Courtesy of Katie Kupstas
Thank you so much for this article! I am so honored to be featured in Sheen Magazine! Thank you so very much.