Israel consistently has one of the highest per capita rates of patents granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In 2013 alone, 3,152 patents were granted by the USPTO to patent inventors based in Israel. With the increasing number of Israeli start-ups, it is expected that this number will continue to rise, and Israeli start-ups need to be aware of the different methods and options that provide for protection of new patents.

Of particular relevance is the provisional patent application process that is provided under United States patent law. A provisional patent application establishes an early filing date, but does not mature into an issued patent unless the applicant files a regular non-provisional patent application within one year. The low cost and relative ease of the provisional patent application process should provide ample reasons for start-ups to seriously consider filing such an application.