Who you trust

120,000 analyzed patents, 250,000 charts across hundreds of F500 & AmLaw 200 clients

You don't just build Agentic AI patent monetization solutions because you think they're cool. You build them because you have reality-based, time-in-the-trenches experience with hundreds of clients & thousands of users with real problems to solve.

11 Year Overnight success

Two patent attorneys and a technologist walk into a bar…

Not far off though…2015 Chris and Luke had a vision to create a world class patent research firm and they had some ideas on how to automate it; fast forward to 2018 when Tom officially joins and off they ride first building Limestone 1.0, the precursor to all that is Limestone's current Agentic AI-workflows for patent monetization. They also consult the world's largest patent holders and broker their portfolios.

Two patent attorneys and a technologist walk into a bar…

Not far off though…2015 Chris and Luke had a vision to create a world class patent research firm and they had some ideas on how to automate it; fast forward to 2018 when Tom officially joins and off they ride first building Limestone 1.0, the precursor to all that is Limestone's current Agentic AI-workflows for patent monetization. They also consult the world's largest patent holders and broker their portfolios.

“Techson has produced the most valuable AI-based tool in patent law.”

Partner, Dickinson Wright Law ; 23 years of IP practice

Team snapshot

Luke Barbin

Co-Founder, CEO

Licensed attorney, IP data expert, and IP business development executive with over 20 years of IP industry experience. Luke has launched and pioneered successful IP research and data services, and is an IAM Top 300 Strategist 2019–2026.

Tom Hochstatter

Co-Founder, President

A 35-year technology and sales executive with the most recent 18 years focused on Legal Services and IP. He was Chief Strategy Officer for a patent monetization firm, sold idealAsset in 2016, and is an IAM Top 300 IP Strategist 2014–2026.

Chris Mulkey

Co-Founder, COO

A licensed patent attorney with extensive IP research delivery, training, and management experience. He has conducted, managed, and delivered more than $12 million in IP research for AM Law 100 and Fortune 500 customers across 10,000+ IP projects.

Dan Cabaniss

CTO / Chief Architect

Dan architected and built Limestone from internal proof of concept to first commercial release in 2024. An early AI and LLM development pioneer, his work spans Next.js, React, Tailwind, Supabase, Vercel, and Agent development. Dan earned his BS in Finance & Economic from Arizona State University.

David Nickelson

Vice President of Research

David is a licensed patent attorney specializing in the management, execution, and delivery of patent and intellectual property research projects. David can chart patents in his sleep. He holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Michigan and a JD from University of Miami.

Advisory board

Brian Niznik

Strategic Advisor

Brian is an executive business development, IP strategy, and licensing leader with 25 years in IP management and transactions. He has worked with sophisticated IP organizations including Qualcomm, ResMed, SAIC, and General Dynamics.

Tracey Thomas

Strategic Advisor

Tracey is CEO of IP Zone and former Chief IP Strategist for American Express. He has 30+ years in IP management, marketing, business strategy, and transactions, has 50+ patents, and is an IAM Top 300 IP Strategist.