Jeff Roy’s hands-on approach to core innovation tenets
shapes the mission of FluidityIQ
Jeff Roy, founder and CEO of FluidityIQ, is on a mission to make AI-driven patent intelligence accessible and affordable for all innovators.
With decades of executive experience at Clarivate and Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE), he’s helped shape the information industry.
His passion for innovation started outdoors. His first invention, inspired by camping, was a hand-crafted multi-tool combining a saw, hatchet and knife for backcountry safety.
In this interview, Jeff discusses how his hands-on approach—from garage-built gear to AI-powered patent tools—informs his perspective on what inventors need to drive smarter, more impactful innovation.
How has your experience as an inventor informed your approach to developing a patent intelligence platform?
Many innovators are small business owners with a big idea to improve the world. In fact, they make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce and contribute over 40 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Their impact is significant, but so are the challenges they face— including determining whether their idea is worth the investment. A patent search is often the first step in answering this critical question, but this can be expensive and out of reach for small businesses.
That’s why we’re expanding the FluidityIQ platform to include a low-cost, accessible solution for inventors at the start of their journey. By leveraging our core AI technology, we’re building a smarter, more affordable way to help innovators take that first step so more great ideas have a real shot at becoming something big.
What are some of the biggest challenges independent inventors face when navigating the patent system?
Inventors are risk-takers and problem-solvers. Protecting their ideas with a patent matters just as much to them as it does to large companies. But for small innovators, the process can feel far more daunting.
Free tools like those from the USPTO and EPO are great for learning the basics, but a quality patent search is essential from the start. The reality is that free tools often lack the depth and insight needed to make confident, informed decisions.
How does your platform help innovators and those who support them better understand the patent landscape?
FluidityIQ is designed to help innovators innovate. It’s intuitive and doesn’t require prior patent knowledge for a fast, accurate search.
But we don’t stop at finding and summarizing relevant patents. Our platform makes it easy for non-patent experts to understand the world related to their specific innovation. It shows you how the features of your invention compare to claims across the patent universe, highlights what makes your idea unique, and helps you build knowledge to guide your ongoing innovation.
What do you advise inventors who are considering filing a patent with limited resources?
Innovation without the right information can cost you more in the long run. Free search tools often fall short, depending on your goals.
The key is finding tools that fit your budget and support ongoing innovation. Patent research isn’t just a box to check before filing; it’s an investment. Even after securing rights, ongoing surveillance helps grow your portfolio and strengthen your competitive moat.
Learn more at fluidityiq.com or linkedin.com/company/fluidityiq.
