This document discusses why startups should care about intellectual property (IP) from the beginning. It notes that 100% of companies have IP, but only 20% of startups protect their IP after the first year. This leaves them at risk of IP theft, which costs US companies $300 billion annually. The document advises startups to establish an early IP strategy to exclude competition, attract investors, and leverage or license their IP. It provides an overview of the main types of IP: patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.