The Inventor's Patent Academy

Three Monday Sessions on Zoom

Nov 27, Dec 4 & Dec 11

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm - on Zoom

Starting November 27th, join us for a 3-part series on protecting your inventions through patents.

Each class will deal with a different topic -

• Nov 27th - Module 1 - Welcome To The Patent System
• Dec 4th - Module 2 - Understanding Patent Law
• Dec 11th - Module 3 - Working With The Patent Office

For more information and to register, please visit

https://hcc.idloom.events/HCC-TIPA

Why Take This Course?

• Patents protect inventions so that inventors can focus on their work and be compensated for it. American innovation depends on inventors’ ability to protect their IP. Enhance your knowledge of the patenting process and how to navigate it.
• Learn from law experts, industry experts, and from inventors from historically underrepresented groups about the challenges and successes on their journeys to develop and protect their ideas.
• Take advantage of a free and valuable professional development opportunity and obtain a completion certificate.

Course Outline:

• Learn the ins and outs of the United States patent system.
• Discuss common challenges faced by those underrepresented in the U.S. patent system.
• Understand how inventors of all backgrounds can navigate the patent process.
• Learn the necessary steps to apply for a patent.
• Study real-life situations of past patent applicants to learn from their successes and mistakes.

Syllabus: 

• Before each class, please take a moment to complete each module present in the online portal. 
• To access the online portal, please click here. 

Module 1 - Welcome To The Patent System

• Your patent education begins with an overview of intellectual property rights. After that, you’ll learn about some challenges that you might face as you pursue your patents — along with strategies, tools, and tips for overcoming them. (Completion time approx. 1.75 hours)

Module 2 - Understanding Patent Law

• It’s time to dive into the specifics of patents, patent rights, and duration, including the steps of applying for a patent. You’ll also learn about the attorneys, patent agents, and other professionals who play a role in the process. (Completion time approx. 2.5 hours)

Module 3 - Working With The Patent Office

• This module covers how to write claims, as well as office actions and responses. You’ll also get a breakdown of activities that occur after your patent issues — including freedom to operate, infringement, maintenance fee payments, and possible challenges to a patent. (Completion time approx. 1.75 hours)

The Inventor's Patent Academy is offered at No Cost to the Inventor,

thanks to the generosity of our Sponsor

Qualcomm Technologies.

For more information and to register, please visit

https://hcc.idloom.events/HCC-TIPA

For questions about this series, email carola.medina@hccs.edu

Presented by Houston Community College

Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives

3100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002

 https://www.hccs.edu/hcc-in-the-community/entrepreneurial-initiatives/

About the Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship

HCC Northwest

OUR MISSION: To help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

We do this by offering workshops, seminars, summits, classes and competitive training and advising, while also providing practical knowledge, resources and connections. We are also known for three Signature Programs: the Annual HCC Business Plan Competition, now in its 15th year; the Small Business Success Series by by HCC^©; and the HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling^©



Contact us at c4e@hccs.edu or 713-718-6650

Houston Community College Wins 2022 Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Award for Excellence in Specialty Entrepreneurship Education

Houston-based academic group called out top universities and programs from around the world — including one in Houston and another in Texas — that are excelling in educating future entrepreneurs at the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Conference in October.

The GCEC is a consortium of more than 250 university entrepreneurship programs that is headquartered at Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, which has been named a top entrepreneurship program itself time and time again. Houston Community College's Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives (led by Dr. Maya Durnovo) won in the Excellence in Specialty Entrepreneurship Education category for programming that serves women and minority owned businesses. GCEC Award-Innovation Map Article

Houston Community College Wins 2022 Bellwether Award for Entrepreneurial Initiatives

Houston Community College has won the 2022 Bellwether Award for its outstanding and innovative workforce development program: HCC’s Entrepreneurial Initiatives. The Bellwether Awards are widely regarded as one of the nation’s most competitive and prestigious recognitions for community colleges. Dr. Maya Durnovo, HCC’s chief entrepreneurial initiatives officer leads HCC’s mission of helping entrepreneurs start and grow businesses to bolster the local economy, create jobs and build Houston’s ecosystem by starting and growing small businesses, including minority-, veteran- and women-owned businesses. Dr. Durnovo said. “I am so fortunate to have a highly motivated and passionate team that strives for excellence in everything they do.”

Houston Community College Receives 2021 Diversity In Business Award from the Houston Business Journal!

Congratulations to all students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs (aspiring & existing); and to all our community participants, supporters, volunteers, partners and sponsors who collaborate with us to make awards like this possible! Congratulations also to all of the other honorees and awardees! 

#WeAreHCC # HoustonStrong #HBJDiversity

Houston Community College 

2020 Entrepreneurial College of the Year

The Houston Community College System was selected as the winner of the 2020 Entrepreneurial College of the Year award by the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) at NACCE's annual conference, where entrepreneurial colleges from across the U.S. gather to share best practices. On behalf of all of our entrepreneurial programs and staff, we thank all of the entrepreneurs, partners, sponsors, volunteers, students, and HCC faculty and staff who have contributed to our efforts! Without your support and dedication to our programs, this wouldn't have been possible!