MEET YVETTE.
Yvette Clarke Thornton is a registered patent agent, innovation strategist, and founder of Clarke Innovations LLC. With more than 25 years of experience across intellectual property, patent development, portfolio strategy, and enterprise innovation, Yvette helps inventors, startups, nonprofits, and organizations turn ideas into strategic assets. Her work sits at the intersection of technical expertise, intellectual property strategy, operational excellence, and inclusive innovation. She understands that strong ideas need more than inspiration. They need structure, protection, thoughtful execution, and a clear path forward.
Yvette began her intellectual property career at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a Primary Patent Examiner, giving her a valuable insider’s understanding of how patent applications are evaluated. She later managed a large international patent portfolio, gaining hands-on experience with complex IP matters, prosecution strategy, and portfolio operations at scale. Today, through Clarke Innovations, Yvette brings that experience directly to clients who are ready to protect what matters, clarify their next steps, and build systems where innovation can thrive.
Before founding Clarke Innovations, Yvette served as Director of Patent Development at Comcast NBCUniversal, where she partnered with engineers, business leaders, and cross-functional teams to identify high-value inventions, strengthen patent strategy, and build innovation systems that supported ideas at every level of the organization. She helped develop and scale internal patent processes, establish a Patent Review Committee, and create recognition programs that encouraged broader participation in innovation.
WHY YVETTE.
Innovation.
Innovation starts with an idea, but meaningful results require thoughtful strategy and execution.
Yvette helps clients create the systems and pathways that transform ideas into strategic opportunities for growth, competitive advantage, and lasting impact.
⭐️ Designed innovation frameworks that drove a 1,921 increase in invention submissions
⭐️ Improved disclosure quality by 86% through strategic review processes, stakeholder education, and system optimization
⭐️ Built scalable systems supporting more that 2,500 employees across enterprise business units
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Development.
Ideas do not create value on their own — they must be developed with intention.
Yvette helps clients transform early concepts into strategic opportunities through thoughtful planning, refinement, and execution.
⭐️ Reduced patent prosecution cost by 30% through portfolio optimization and strategic decision-making
⭐️ Helped clients reduce legal costs by as much as 65% while strengthening intellectual property protections
⭐️ Conducted patentability, freedom-to-operate, and competitive landscaper analyses to guide filings, investments, and market positioning
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Expertise.
Yvette brings a unique perspective informed by experience in both patent examination and strategic innovation leadership, offering clients insight into how ideas are evaluated, protected, and positioned for value.
⭐️ Expanded inventor participation from underrepresented groups by 3,250% through targeted engagement, tracking, and outreach strategies
⭐️ Built review frameworks, analytics, and reporting systems that improved strategic decision-making and innovation visibility
⭐️ Created tools and processes that strengthened portfolio quality and aligned IP strategy with business goals
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Action.
From invention disclosures and patent development to enterprise innovation programs, Yvette helps transform ideas into strategic assets that drive growth, opportunity, and long-term value.
⭐️ Managed global portfolios of 1000+ matters; coordinated patent strategy across 26 countries;
⭐️ Developed dashboard and analytics the help senior leaders make informed IP and business decisions.
⭐️ Led cross-functional initiatives, process improvements, and strategic programs that delivered measurable outcomes at scale
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WORK WITH YVETTE.
Ready to move your idea forward?
Whether you are in the discovery phase, exploring patentability, managing an existing portfolio, or looking to strengthen your organization’s innovation process, Clarke Innovations can help you take the next step with clarity and confidence.
Let’s turn your ideas into strategic assets.
YVETTE’S FAVORITE INVENTIONS
