Invention Submission Corporation
The world's largest invention submission company. A one-stop shop for inventors.
Idea Hunts and Contests
Big Idea Hunts are innovation searches sponsored by retailers or manufacturers seeking
particular products or technologies. These Hunts present a unique opportunity for inventors
to submit inventions that an innovation-buying company is actively seeking.
The Inventor's Directory
Links to articles, services and other information of help to inventors.
Big Idea Group
Big Idea Group (BIG) brings together creative inventors and innovation-driven companies.
For inventors, they offer no-cost services to help refine and present ideas to the best-matched
licensing companies.
United Inventors Association
The mission of the UIA is to provide leadership, support, and services to
inventor support groups and independent inventors. Membership is extended to these
as well as to others who provide reputable service and support to the inventor
community. The Inventor's Awareness Center is the inventor education and advocacy
program of UIA and is presented in detail under the section "Red Flag Warnings."
International
Federation of Inventors Association
IFIA is a non-profit, nongovernmental organization created
by seven European inventor associations in 1968. Today,
it includes members in more than 110 countries. IFIA
is the only organization which groups inventors
associations worldwide.
InventorsHQ
This organization helps inventors from around the world to get
their products from the garage to the marketplace
for the least amount of out-of-pocket money possible.
Invention Evaluation
Canadian Innovation Centre
The Canadian Innovation Centre (CIC) is Canada's leading organization dedicated
to assisting inventors and innovative companies. Our range of services includes
invention evaluation, technology due diligence, market research, and education
programs.
Wisconsin Innovation Service Center
The Wisconsin Innovation Service Center (WISC) specializes in new product and invention
assessments and market expansion opportunities for innovative manufacturers, technology
businesses, and independent inventors. Since 1980, WISC has researched the viability
of over 6,000 projects. Technical experts and researchers use an extensive array of
resources to analyze information on technical feasibility, existing patents, market
size, competitive intensity, demand trends, and other areas. WISC's research products
cover product feasibility, competitive intelligence, distributor assessment, customer
satisfaction, and licensing partnerships.
I2 Innovation Institute
Here's a helpful little gadget that makes one of the chores of product
development easier! It is called the Idea Value Calculator(IVC).
Patents
US Patent and Trademark Office
One of your most valuable resources. Get familiar with this site.
Patent Lessons
A novel site that provides simple, detailed instruction about Patent Law.
Patent Search International
This company that does a hands on patent search
at the USPTO with a legal opinion from a registered
patent attorney for only $250.00
Delphion
Website specializing in international patent searches.
Patent Hunter
This is a must-have for serious inventors. This software program,
created by U. S. Patent Attorney Michael S. Neustel, allows you
to download multiple patents at the same time from the USPTO database.
You now have patents and images available for viewing at your convenience.
Prototypes
Plastic Prototypes
Randall Landreneau, the former president of the Tampa Bay Inventor's Council
has developed an ideal method for creating plastic
prototypes inexpensively. After watching his video
you will be able to produce professional prototypes
on your own with very basic tools and no more expertise
and knowledge than that which you will learn from
the video. A must for every inventor.
$29.00 plus $5.00 priority shipping.
Exo Design
Exo Design brings a vast amount of experience to the product development process from concept
through production. With expertise in a wide variety of manufacturing processes including injection molding,
thermoforming, rotational molding, blow molding, metal forming, and extrusions, Exo is well prepared to
develop products from initial concept to manufacture.
Books and Reference
Inventnet
The Inventors Network.
The Inventors Bookstore
The United Inventors Association bookstore.
Inventor's Digest
This site is designed for anyone who has ever said, "I've got a great
idea, now what do I do?" It's also the place for anyone who's
searching for the next HOT product!
Avoiding Scams
Federal Trade Commission
UIAUSA Red Flag
InventorEd - Inventor Promoter Caution List
National Inventor Fraud Center
Provides information to consumers about invention promotion companies and
how people can market their ideas.
IP Watchdog
Site run by Gene Quinn, patent attorney
and law professor to help you avoid being scammed.
Financial Assistance
Business
Week Online
Article about Inventors and Government
Grants.
National Science Board Report on Science and Engineering Indicators
This report details the trends in science and engineering indicators
concerning research and development in the United States. Inventors
may be particularly interested in chapter four (linked here) that
studies funding for Research and Development.
Industrial Technologies Inventions and Innovation Program
The Inventions and Innovation (I&I) program provides financial
assistance at two levels for conducting early development and establishing
technical performance of innovative energy saving ideas and inventions.
NASA
Commercial Technology Network
With links to Innovation,
NASA's quarterly publication and small business opportunities.
Inventors may find useful information about "technology
transfer, development and commercialization with NASA."
Trade Organizations and Associations
Builders
Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA)
International Housewares Association
American
Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA)
Sporting
Goods Manufacturers Association
National
Sporting Goods Association
Toy
Industry Association
Association
of Golf Merchandisers
Incentive
Marketing Association
Juvenile
Products Manufacturers Association
International
Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association
North
American Equipment Dealers Association
American
Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA)
Automotive
Aftermarket Industry Association
Specialty
Equipment Market Association
Motor
and Equipment Manufacturers Association
Inventors Awards and Competitions
The
Hammacher Schlemmer Search for Invention Contest
To
foster the spirit of inventing, Hammacher Schlemmer offers
a competition that they describe as "a national inventor's
competition that rewards inventors of patented products
that have not yet reached the marketplace."
The
Lemelson-MIT Awards for Invention and Innovation
The
$500,000 prize from this award is the single largest award
for inventors. "The Lemelson-MIT awards program honors
both established and rising inventors, for their ingenuity,
creativity and contribution to American invention. The awards
are part of a comprehensive program that recognizes the
profound impact that individual ingenuity can have on all
of society."
The
Dupont Plunkett Awards
"The Awards competition
is open to processors or users of fabricated products who
have invented new or improved products or applications,
incorporating DuPont fluoropolymers as a critical component.
Products or applications must result from work done by the
entrant in conception and commercialization of the entry."
Intel
Science Talent Search
"Finding Tomorrow's Scientists"
- This contest is to encourage and stimulate scientific
discovery and innovation in today's youth with awards and
scholarships totaling $1.25 million.
The
National Science Teachers Association
Links to several
competitions for young inventors.
The
Craftsman/NSTA Young Inventors Awards Program
A competition
developed to challenge students to use creativity and imagination
along with science, technology, and mechanical ability to
invent or modify a tool.
The
Partnership for America's Future
Competition for
young inventors that has helped more than 75 students and
teachers with their inventions as well as "created
the National Gallery for America's Young Inventors which
annually honors up to six young inventors from across the
country."
The
Collegiate Inventors Competition
This international
competition for college students encourages creative thinking
and problem solving skills.
Staples
Invention Quest™
The
NASA Sci Files
The "Wright" Invention Project
Submission Overview and Instructions.
Toshiba
Exploravision Awards
"Encourages K-12 students
to put their imaginations and the tools of science to work
to create a vision of a new technology. Prizes are awarded
to student teams who envision the most innovative technology."
3dpublishing.com
Inventor's Contest
Offers monthly assignments to win
a free history kit from 3dpublishing.com.
