I have an idea for an invention, what now?

Question

I don't know what steps to take now.

Any help or links would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Write down everything you can think about your invention. Maybe draw a picture of it, just to help you get a clearer image- then go online and search for places that take peoples inventions. But also make sure no one has already come up with the Idea.

Answer 2

Patent your work, make a prototype i think you will need this for step 1, then you needto find out more about the market you would like to sell your product in eventually when you have all of these things 1 prototype 2 patent 3 market evaluation you can then look for potential investors have you never watched DRAGONS DEN !!!!!!!!!!!!  

Answer 3

make a prototype. if you cant then get someone else to (an experienced friend/proffesional). Then take it to an investor.

I dont really know ive never realy invented anything  

Answer 4

yes, tell me what it is

Answer 5

you should tell me what it is so i can help you with it!

Answer 6

An idea is not enough, unless it is revolutionary.

You need a prototype, or a good set of plans. But before you spend that time and money, run it past a professional to see if it is viable.

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Answer 7

Well, if you go to an Invention website, they'll help you with the patenting and stuff like that, but they'll also take a lot of the money if you start selling it.

Manufacturing and patenting your invention is an expensive process, and there's no way about it if you're doing it on your own. The first thing you'll want to do is make a mock-up of your invention out of something cheap - Styrofoam, card stock paper, balsa wood, whatever works for your invention. This will help you make sure it functions the way you want it to. You then need to take that to an industrial designer to draft up in CAD. That CAD file then goes to a manufacturing plant. Depending on the invention, you might get a prototype manufactured in plastic or metal or something else. This will cost a few hundred dollars. Once it's manufactured, and you have your CAD designs, then you need to get a patenting lawyer, and register it for a patent. This usually costs upwards of $10,000. Once it's patented, then you need to take the manufactured prototype to a few places of business that might consider selling this invention, and get some investment money to go and manufacture a few more prototypes that are in usable condition. Once you've got a few customers using them, you can use the customers as reference, and go sell more to more companies, and then the cash flow starts.

It's not a fun process, I'm sad to say. And the invention had better be DAMNED good if you're going to make any money off it. Most inventions fail. The other option is find a company that makes something similar, and try to sell them the idea. Best of luck!

Answer 8

draw a plan of how your invention to work it all depends on what category it falls under.

Answer 9

1- write down every and each idea you have in your mind(explain!) in a note book.

2- Draw and layout your project use graph papers boards ..everything.

3- Try to use more ideas from existing inventions/devices to enrich your project.

4- Show your work to your preferred professors (preferred only :-)  ).

5- Ask others to help you finish up your project if you need

6- Record your patent

good luck

Answer 10

I do not really recommend getting a patent. A patent is nothing more than a license to sue, and you will not fare well in a lawsuit with, say, Microsoft.

A better way is to be a "tail light industry". Develop your invention to the point that it can be sold, then sell as many of them as possible. Once it hits the market, it will take a few years for the imitators to catch up with you, by which time you will have made your money. All they will see is your tail lights.

It is OK to use industrial designers and manufacturers to manufacture your product, as long as they sign non-disclosure agreements. The key part of the operation is the marketing.

Patents do have some other uses. If you want to sell the company once it is successful then a few patents would help to increase its value. But these can come later, once you have earned enough money to afford them. Also, if you need to use other people's money, you can use IP to attract investors.

A patent is not useful to protect an invention, but it IS useful to boost the value of your company, to attract investors, and to enhance your resume.