7 Tips for Inventors.

InventionsI originally put a similar article to this in our resources section, but we continue to get questions about what to do if you have invented a new product, so I’ve also put these 7 tips here in the blog to reach a wider audience.

1. Work out whether it is an “invention” or a more of a “good idea”.

The difference is that with a new invention, you can patent it (legally own it and no one else can make it). Whereas a good idea for a product or service may not be patentable, but you believe that you can be first into a market and so don’t want others to latch on to that idea.

The Patent Office does a patent search service that will help you decide if you have a case for raising a paten, they do charge for this however. Company Partners has fact sheets on patents, trademarks and copyright in the Company Partners resources pages, have a look down the resource list to find them.

2. Be careful when you tell anyone about it.

Often inventors are concerned that people may steal their idea. However if it is an invention that may be patentable, if you tell people about it first, not only may they steal the idea, but more importantly from a legal stand point…. you no longer own the idea! This is because it is now in the “public domain”. It can no longer be patented.

What can you do? Before you tell anyone, have them sign a NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement). This is a simple agreement that protects your idea or invention. Here is an example agreement. If it is likely to be a novel and patentable invention don’t tell anyone at all without an NDA. If it is more of a good idea but not patentable, you will have to decide if you want a NDA signed in every case. Some people will happily sign, others won’t.

3. Companies that help you put your idea or invention into production.

If you type “invention” into Google you will get several pages of companies all offering you help. Why? What do they get out of it? Well mostly they will want to sell you their services. It may not be obvious from reading their literature at first, but it starts with you submitting your idea.  Then they will suggest that they can give you an assessment of that idea/invention – for a price. Normally a few hundred pounds. This is their bread & butter money.

They may then commit to do more (like find a buyer to license the invention from you) in exchange for a share of the royalties, but with an expenses fee attached. Or they may say that after their evaluation there are things that you can do to improve the chances of it being marketable, or of finding an investor to provide funds. This second stage normally costs a few thousand pounds.

So you can see that you have to be careful who you go with and indeed if you should go with such a company. There is a lot you can do for yourself without paying thousands of pounds. Many Mentors and Investors in Company Partners will contribute their expertise and knowledge in exchange for equity without you paying anything at all. Also try the British Library’s IP & Business Centre, they provide a wealth of information and help, almost all is free.

4. You have a great idea now you want someone to fund it.

Okay you have a great idea. Do you believe that it’s so good that you’ll remortgage your house and spend all your savings (which is what James Dyson did)? Or maybe you need some additional funds beyond that which you have access to?

This is where Angel Investors can help. These are private individuals that are looking for interesting opportunities to invest into. However Business Angels and private investors have seen it all before, most of them will expect you to also contribute some of the finances and put yourself on the line for it to succeed, or they also will not invest.

5. Implementation is king (ideas are 10 a penny).

Well some ideas are better than others of course. But everyone has some good idea for a new product or service inside them. It’s those people that get out there and make it happen that are different. 99% of great ideas never get further than a chat down the pub, or wishful thinking.

Then when you do start to make it happen, how well you implement the idea makes the difference to success or failure – not just the idea itself. If you are not best at marketing, sales or even detail planning, look for a business partner.

6. Be realistic.

It may be a great idea, but will people part with their hard earned cash and buy it? Sometimes they are great ideas, but ones that no one would actually pay money for. Be especially wary of “gadget” type inventions. Check that people really would buy them. These sound great, but often too few would be sold to make your fortune.

Do some market research; check whether other similar products or services are selling well. Put together a questionnaire, or a prototype and ask members of the public if they would spend money to buy it (friends and family don’t count). What is the addressable market for this? If it is sold, will it be at a profit (add up all expenditure and costs, including salaries and selling/distribution costs)?

7. Persevere and put in the energy.

If you’ve been realistic and after considering everything, you still want to get this invention or good idea into the market, you have to be persistent. We’ve all heard of the great businesses that were originally turned down by funders.

I listened to Tim Waterstone once describe how he was turned down for a loan to start the book chain by various banks. He persevered, mortgaged himself to the hilt and found an investor. When he was successful and eventually sold for millions to HMV, he sent the banks that turned him down a newspaper cutting of the sale.

He was however a driven and energetic man who didn’t believe in just dreaming. Not all of us are the same, but you do need determination and it helps to have a business partner or mentor. They can give you motivation and together you can bounce ideas around.

Think in business terms and understand that no one is going to give away their time or money unless you can prove the concept is a winner. That will require upfront effort and investment from yourself. But you can’t just dream – you have to make it happen.

 

4 thoughts on “7 Tips for Inventors.

  1. David Ashcroft

    I had an idea. I did some market research, and was repeatedly told, although very simple, what a great idea it was. So I got it patented, invested my money into it, and got it manufactured; that was the easy part. I have tried to contact retailers that would stock my product, but am repeatedly ignored. So what do you do at this stage? Where do I go from here? Can anyone help…please.

  2. Ken McFeeters

    You really need to find somebody or a company that would be willing to piggyback your product on top of their product range (of similar products) They normally can open the doors of the big stores because they have a previous trading history and have good established relationships with the buyers etc..

    Good luck I hope you find the right person/company you will need to spend a considerable amount of time searching. What is your product? I might know somebody?

    I have recently started to market my own invention that saves printer ink by the bucket loads “The FaxCop”, the main issue I have at the moment is getting the sales/rental prices right. Any ideas?

  3. Nyabuhara Julian

    Am good at identifying business opportunities and conceptualising business ideas but am very poor at implementing because i fear to approach potential clients,who i normally think will shun my ideas and will not need my service. I end up not getting anything done.
    Unless the business does not need me to market.
    What can you advise.

  4. lawrence Post author

    Hi Julian, as you probably realise, you need a business partner that is more comfortable with the selling aspects. That is exactly what Company Partners was set up to do. To find a business partner.

    But it’s no good going into it half-hearted. I see you have put in a profile, but it is not “live” and you have not contacted anyone, because you just joined as a registered member and probably did not want to pay the monthly membership (only £19) to be a full member and start to make it all work.

    I’d also suggest looking at your profiles and making them professional and targeted to the partner that you want. Different profiles for finding a business partner and a Investor.

    Good luck – Lawrence

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