Inventex founder, an engineer for Coinbase at 14, wants to revolutionize patent applications

Tech Crunch - Apr 10th, 2025
Open on Tech Crunch

Daniel Ruskin, a former engineer at Coinbase, has launched a new company called Inventex aimed at revolutionizing the patent filing process. Inventex, based in Salt Lake City, leverages AI agents and licensed attorneys to streamline the preparation and filing of patent applications, promising to accelerate the process by tenfold. The startup quickly attracted significant interest from investors, raising $2.4 million in a pre-seed funding round co-led by Conviction Capital, Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam, and Cambrian Ventures. The company’s innovative approach has already secured $250,000 in annual recurring revenue and interest from both startups and publicly traded companies.

Ruskin's journey from a teenage engineer at Coinbase to a law school graduate highlights his unique blend of technical and legal expertise. His previous experience at Coinbase and Checkr, where he contributed to building two unicorn companies, underscores his ability to innovate within complex systems. Inventex aims to differentiate itself by providing a comprehensive, end-to-end patent service, unlike traditional firms that rely heavily on billable hours. By making the patent process more efficient and accessible, Inventex has the potential to transform the field of patent law, aligning with Ruskin's vision to democratize innovations for companies of all sizes.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides an engaging narrative about Daniel Ruskin's career and the founding of Inventex, highlighting his achievements and the innovative approach of his company. The story is timely and addresses topics of interest in the fields of technology and entrepreneurship. However, the reliance on internal sources and the lack of independent verification limit the factual accuracy and balance of the article. The narrative could benefit from a more diverse range of perspectives and greater transparency in the presentation of claims. Despite these limitations, the article is well-written and accessible, making it an informative read for audiences interested in innovation and startup culture.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story presents several claims that are intriguing but require verification. For instance, Daniel Ruskin's claim of starting work at Coinbase at the age of 14 and contributing significantly to its early software development is a central assertion that needs confirmation. The story also mentions his role in founding Inventex and raising $2.4 million in a pre-seed round, which are significant claims about his entrepreneurial success. These details are crucial for the factual accuracy of the story.

The article provides specific names and figures, such as the involvement of Fred Ehrsam and Cambrian Ventures in the funding round, which lend credibility but still need independent verification. The claim about Inventex's rapid growth and its innovative approach to patent applications using AI also requires evidence to be fully credible. Without corroboration from additional sources, these elements remain speculative.

While the story is detailed in its narrative, the lack of direct quotes from independent sources or corroborating evidence means that some claims could be overstated or inaccurately presented. The article's reliance on statements from Ruskin and his associates, without third-party verification, limits its accuracy.

5
Balance

The article primarily presents a positive portrayal of Daniel Ruskin and his ventures, focusing on his achievements and potential. This creates a narrative that may lack balance, as it doesn't explore potential criticisms or challenges faced by Ruskin or Inventex. The story could benefit from including perspectives from industry experts or competitors to provide a more rounded view of Ruskin's impact and the viability of his business model.

There is a notable absence of dissenting opinions or critical analysis, which could provide a more nuanced understanding of the challenges in patent law innovation and the competitive landscape. By relying heavily on the perspectives of Ruskin and his associates, the article may inadvertently present a one-sided view that overlooks potential shortcomings or industry skepticism.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through Daniel Ruskin's career progression and the founding of Inventex. The language is accessible, and the narrative is engaging, making it easy for readers to follow the story.

However, some technical details, such as the specifics of Inventex's AI technology or the patent process, could be explained more thoroughly to aid comprehension. While the article does a good job of highlighting Ruskin's achievements, it could benefit from more detailed explanations of the complex systems and innovations he is involved with, to provide a clearer picture of his impact.

4
Source quality

The primary sources for the article are statements from Daniel Ruskin and his associates, such as Maksim Stepanenko and Rex Salisbury. While these individuals are credible in their respective fields, the lack of external sources or independent verification raises questions about the reliability of the claims made. The article does not cite any independent experts or third-party sources to corroborate the information presented.

The reliance on internal sources can introduce bias, as these individuals have a vested interest in promoting Ruskin's ventures. The absence of diverse and authoritative sources limits the article's credibility and leaves room for potential conflicts of interest to affect the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative about Daniel Ruskin's career and the founding of Inventex, but it lacks transparency in terms of methodology and the basis for some of its claims. For instance, the story does not explain how Ruskin's contributions to Coinbase were verified or how Inventex's growth metrics were calculated. This lack of methodological transparency makes it difficult for readers to assess the validity of the claims.

There is also no disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest that might affect the reporting, such as financial ties between the sources and the subject of the story. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance the article's credibility and help readers understand the context and potential biases influencing the narrative.

Sources

  1. https://www.organox.com/about-us/senior-management-team
  2. https://20fix.com
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8islHxK7fk
  4. https://beamstart.com/news/inventex-founder-an-engineer-for-17442957782148
  5. https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/09/tired-of-doing-laundry-these-startups-want-to-help/