Hey everyone! It’s Trevor Skene, back with another episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, where we dive deep into the minds of today’s top innovators and industry experts.

This week, I’m talking with Timothy Tello, a true visionary and the CEO of 3THIX. Tim’s career spans over a decade in the gaming world, with three successful gaming studio exits under his belt—and now, he’s on a mission to transform how digital advertising, blockchain, and privacy intersect. In this episode, we talk about everything from building startups in gaming, to navigating the nightmare of getting the first SEC no-action letter for blockchain gaming tokens, to why patents matter for entrepreneurs—even if you never plan to enforce them in court.

We also go deep into how Tim’s new venture, 3THIX, is flipping ad-tech on its head, cutting out middlemen, and putting real money back into the pockets of gamers and consumers. If you’re curious about how blockchain can enable new business models, or how to think about patents as strategic assets in tech startups, you won’t want to miss this episode.

[2:20] – Tim shares how he went from Texas oil fields to the gaming industry—and how networking and relentless hustle opened doors in an insular industry.

[7:45] – Inside Tim’s journey as a four-time founder and three-time gaming studio exit, including how gaming companies often center on single-IP plays and why he pivoted from language-learning games to influencer-driven games.

[15:08] – The grueling two-year process of securing the first SEC no-action letter for blockchain tokens in gaming—and how it paved the way for credit card processing and stablecoins in crypto.

[25:42] – Why entrepreneurs need to pause and celebrate wins, big or small, and how Tim balances ambition with mental health and gratitude.

[31:15] – Tim’s perspective on patents: why they’re critical as proof of innovation and how they make startups more “acquirable,” even if you never plan to litigate.

[41:09] – The fine line between moving fast and protecting IP, and how patents, regulations, and competitive landscapes all fit into the startup puzzle.

[51:23] – Tim breaks down how 3THIX is revolutionizing ad-tech by storing purchase data anonymously on blockchain, enabling hyper-targeted ads that reward consumers directly—and why this could transform industries far beyond gaming.

[55:12] – Tim’s best advice for entrepreneurs: “Everything you need is already within you”—plus the power of routine for staying grounded, calm, and confident, especially when pitching investors.

3THIX Website: www.3thix.com

Timothy Tello LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothytello

Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com

Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

Thanks so much for tuning in, everyone! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to rate, follow, share, and leave us a review—it helps more innovators like you discover the show. Catch you next time on the Patent Hacks Podcast!

Hey everyone! Trevor Skene here, back with another episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast, where we dive deep into the minds of top innovators and industry experts.

In this episode, I’m joined by Mike Zimmerman, CEO and founder of Z-Polymers, and someone who’s literally building the future of materials from the molecular level up. We chat about Mike’s fascinating journey from Bell Labs to launching four different startups, the lessons he’s learned about fundraising and scaling, and the incredible breakthroughs happening at Z-Polymers. We also dig into the realities of the startup grind, avoiding common pitfalls, and how to balance entrepreneurship with academia.

If you’ve ever wondered how to take a cutting-edge materials idea from lab to market, or how to turn scientific passion into a scalable, protectable business, you’ll love this conversation. And trust me, you’ll want to hear about the unexpected discoveries Mike’s team has made along the way that could revolutionize industries from 3D printing to medical implants!

[2:22] – Mike shares his career path through RPI, MIT, Bell Labs, and beyond, and how he developed his passion for polymers.

[8:17] – What pushed Mike to leave a stable career at Bell Labs for the uncertain startup world—and the desire to have real impact and control.

[12:56] – How Mike launched his first startup by incubating his venture inside another company, creating prototypes, and using customer validation to secure funding.

[20:44] – Pro tips on successfully exiting startups, creating value, and building solid business plans with room to pivot.

[28:35] – The biggest pitfalls Mike sees in startups—especially scientists overpromising and underdelivering—and how radical honesty builds trust with customers.

[32:22] – Mike talks about his innovative materials at Z-Polymers, including democratizing high-performance 3D printing and unexpected applications in semiconductors and medical devices.

[35:04] – Mike’s #1 piece of advice for inventors looking to build a protectable, fundable, and scalable tech startup—and why finding “fellow travelers” is crucial.

• Z-Polymers Website: https://z-polymers.com/
• Mike Zimmerman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-zimmerman-6079603/
• Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com
• Trevor Skene LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/

Thanks so much for tuning in, everyone! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a second to rate, follow, share, and leave us a review—it helps more innovators like you discover the show. Catch you next time on the Patent Hacks Podcast!

Welcome to the very first episode of the Patent Hacks Podcast! I'm your host, Trevor Skene, and today I'm kicking things off with a personal deep dive into my own entrepreneurial journey and how Patent Hacks came to life. If you've ever wondered about the story behind a business or felt the sting of missing out on a big idea, this episode is for you. I share my own experiences—from my early inventive mindset and my pivotal "Tile moment" to my time as a federally contracted Patent Examiner—and how these shaped our mission to make patents more affordable and accessible for everyone.

We also discuss the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the importance of having a clear "why," and some hard-earned lessons about working with marketing teams, finding the right audience, and building a business plan. Tune in to learn more about what drives Patent Hacks and get actionable advice if you're thinking about starting or scaling your own venture.

• [1:45] - Why this solo episode is your essential introduction to Patent Hacks.
• [2:10] - My journey from inventor-minded high school student to federally contracted Patent Examiner.
• [3:25] - The "Tile" story: How my first big idea became a $200 million missed opportunity.
• [4:30] - Meeting my business partners and how our mission to democratize patents began.
• [5:00] - Building Patent Hacks’ educational platform to empower DIY patent filing.
• [7:15] - Learning from our audience and introducing actionable patent-prep services.
• [12:00] - The realities (and pitfalls!) of working with marketing agencies.
• [17:00] - Advice on choosing the right audience and creating a winning business plan.
• [22:00] - My ultimate advice to new entrepreneurs: why believing in yourself is crucial to your success.

Patent Hacks Website: https://www.patenthacks.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-skene/