In Good Company

The Invention Idea Co. provides a variety of services, including patentability searches, drawings for brochures and patents, finished brochures, coaching on what steps the inventor should take next, distributor and manufacturer location, and other market outlets that will help to introduce the product. The company charges $7,000 or more for these services. PromoMart, a subsidiary of the Invention Idea Co., works with inventors on product development, including engineering drawings and prototypes. Scott Nastazio didn't pay extra for his prototypes, while Danny Gabrielov paid slightly more than average because he received more services, including presentations to foreign manufacturers.

Beating The Odds

If an invention firm can help you go beyond the minimum in getting your product out there, it might be worth the expense.

Join The Club

Inventors clubs can be a good starting point for new inventors. Get a list of these clubs from the United Inventors Association of the USA, which offers a pamphlet called the Inventor's Resource Guide, by sending $9.95 to P.O. Box 23447, Rochester, NY 14692. These organizations won't do the work of introducing your product, but they will offer advice and can help you avoid spending too much money on your idea.

Don Debelak is a new-business marketing consultant who has been introducing new products for more than 20 years. He is the author of Bringing Your Product to Market (John Wiley & Sons, $19.95, 800-225-5945).

Contact Sources

Invention Idea Co., (212) 629-7220, gotanidea@earthlink.net

Scott Nastazio, tobizig@aol.com.

This article was originally published in the October 2000 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: In Good Company.