Fearn Raises $5.5 Million to Build an AI-Based Patent Firm for Startups

San Francisco-based patent firm Fearn secured $5.5 million in funding on September 23 to provide startups with fixed-fee patent drafting and prosecution services. Leveraging both human expertise and an AI drafting system, Fearn pledges to file provisional applications within three business days. Backed by Kindred Ventures, a16z Speedrun, Designer Fund, and Essence VC, co-founders Han Kim and Angela Gao, both with backgrounds in patent law and AI, developed the software for law firms and adapted it for Fearn's use.

FearnOS, the firm's proprietary system, integrates patent claims with supporting documents and tracks attorney edits and document versions. Each application undergoes review by a patent professional. Fearn offers a $2,500 fee for provisional applications and $9,000 for non-provisional applications, encompassing U.S. Patent and Trademark Office fees.

Should an application it manages receive no allowed claims, Fearn guarantees to refund the non-provisional drafting fee. Clients across software, hardware, robotics, and biotechnology sectors are already utilizing its services, including game studio Iconic, defense tech company Photon Spear, and cancer-vaccine developer Serova Bio.

The firm's model evaluates whether AI-assisted drafting translates to faster turnaround times and predictable fees while preserving the rigorous legal review and technical precision needed for patent applications. Fearn plans to expand offerings to international filings, objections to patent offices, and portfolio management.