You're making the assumption that IP (designs & patents) will be enforceable on Mars. That sounds risky. You can't even get those guarantees on earth among nation states.
This it what I was thinking, it is going to be difficult (and too late) to demonstrate expertise in 2024 when Elon is putting together the first Red Dragon mission and you'll want to be able to say "Hey, check out this self assembling Mars Habitat and Greenhouse thing we've been prototyping."