From idea to prototype?
Discussion
Hi All,
I have an idea for a product that I think *could* sell. At the moment it is just an idea that has been nestling at the back of my mind for a year or so and I would like to have a crack at it.
The problem is £££££. The product isn't something that I could make myself but isn't difficult for a company with the skills. It wouldn't need much R&D but would need designing.
How does one go about getting a prototype built on a budget. I know there are companies out there but does anyone have any recommendations? How do these companies normally charge?
Like I said, money is tight and I obviously can't gurantee it'll be a success.
I have an idea for a product that I think *could* sell. At the moment it is just an idea that has been nestling at the back of my mind for a year or so and I would like to have a crack at it.
The problem is £££££. The product isn't something that I could make myself but isn't difficult for a company with the skills. It wouldn't need much R&D but would need designing.
How does one go about getting a prototype built on a budget. I know there are companies out there but does anyone have any recommendations? How do these companies normally charge?
Like I said, money is tight and I obviously can't gurantee it'll be a success.
Edited by evoesque on Monday 16th March 20:23
Does this invention solve a real life problem? is it a must have or a nice to have?
Do you have the energy, self-belief and time to dedicate to seeing this through to the end? Do you have the support of your family and friends?
If you can answer those questions positively, then press on……….
Check that the idea (or something very similar) has not already been patented.
Is there anyway you could build a "Heath Robinson"/"Blue Peter" proof of concept type device? Dyson, Bayliss and many others have built many prototypes in their sheds/garages before seeking help. Also, I believe having built some sort of proof of concept, then registered the design/patent will give you greater protection.
Get an NDA for anyone you discuss it with to sign - it may not actually carry much in the way of teeth, but will give you a warm comfortable feeling and at least make people take you seriously.
If you’re unable to build even the most basic of prototype, then look around the local area for some small businesses that you may be able to partner with on the early development. Avoid the big boys until you have proved it works and are sure you absolutely own all IPR to the design or any possible derivatives.
If you need initial investment, try family and friends first. Then try looking for recommendations from business communities.
Good luck and try to have some fun whilst doing it.
Do you have the energy, self-belief and time to dedicate to seeing this through to the end? Do you have the support of your family and friends?
If you can answer those questions positively, then press on……….
Check that the idea (or something very similar) has not already been patented.
Is there anyway you could build a "Heath Robinson"/"Blue Peter" proof of concept type device? Dyson, Bayliss and many others have built many prototypes in their sheds/garages before seeking help. Also, I believe having built some sort of proof of concept, then registered the design/patent will give you greater protection.
Get an NDA for anyone you discuss it with to sign - it may not actually carry much in the way of teeth, but will give you a warm comfortable feeling and at least make people take you seriously.
If you’re unable to build even the most basic of prototype, then look around the local area for some small businesses that you may be able to partner with on the early development. Avoid the big boys until you have proved it works and are sure you absolutely own all IPR to the design or any possible derivatives.
If you need initial investment, try family and friends first. Then try looking for recommendations from business communities.
Good luck and try to have some fun whilst doing it.
Route324 said:
Get an NDA for anyone you discuss it with to sign - it may not actually carry much in the way of teeth, but will give you a warm comfortable feeling and at least make people take you seriously.
And enables you to hold open discussions pre-patent so is a lower cost way of protecting your idea early on. If you discuss it pre-patent and outside of NDA then it becomes public knowledge so is no longer patentableBen
BigBen said:
Route324 said:
Get an NDA for anyone you discuss it with to sign - it may not actually carry much in the way of teeth, but will give you a warm comfortable feeling and at least make people take you seriously.
And enables you to hold open discussions pre-patent so is a lower cost way of protecting your idea early on. If you discuss it pre-patent and outside of NDA then it becomes public knowledge so is no longer patentableBen
Thanks for all the replies...
Won't be able to build it myself which is a shame. I've contacted a company (Innovate) who have sent out a signed NDA. They will give me an hour of their time for free. They appear to be a well trusted company with articles in the nationals about them. It can't hurt to talk to them and get their input.
Thanks all.
Thurbs said:
Apply for a patient first if I were you. Secondly go to people who you trust or have been recommended, then get a NDA signed before you speak to them.
I'm not sure it requires a patent although someone may know better. Basically the product is re-packaging something that already exists to make it more user friendly. All the technologies (I say technologies, it isn't electronic) exist. It would just be putting them together in a different way. Does this need a patent? Dunno.davidd said:
If it is an electronic thing then drop me an email as I know some people.
D
Thanks for the offer but it isn't electronic.D
Route324 said:
Does this invention solve a real life problem? is it a must have or a nice to have?
Do you have the energy, self-belief and time to dedicate to seeing this through to the end? Do you have the support of your family and friends?
If you can answer those questions positively, then press on……….
Check that the idea (or something very similar) has not already been patented.
Is there anyway you could build a "Heath Robinson"/"Blue Peter" proof of concept type device? Dyson, Bayliss and many others have built many prototypes in their sheds/garages before seeking help. Also, I believe having built some sort of proof of concept, then registered the design/patent will give you greater protection.
Get an NDA for anyone you discuss it with to sign - it may not actually carry much in the way of teeth, but will give you a warm comfortable feeling and at least make people take you seriously.
If you’re unable to build even the most basic of prototype, then look around the local area for some small businesses that you may be able to partner with on the early development. Avoid the big boys until you have proved it works and are sure you absolutely own all IPR to the design or any possible derivatives.
If you need initial investment, try family and friends first. Then try looking for recommendations from business communities.
Good luck and try to have some fun whilst doing it.
Thanks for this. Regarding your first few questions...it solves a problem to an extent, it is a nice to have (although everyone will have something similar in a different format), I have *some* time (work full time) and I have the drive and ambition to certainly take the first few steps to see if it a viable project.Do you have the energy, self-belief and time to dedicate to seeing this through to the end? Do you have the support of your family and friends?
If you can answer those questions positively, then press on……….
Check that the idea (or something very similar) has not already been patented.
Is there anyway you could build a "Heath Robinson"/"Blue Peter" proof of concept type device? Dyson, Bayliss and many others have built many prototypes in their sheds/garages before seeking help. Also, I believe having built some sort of proof of concept, then registered the design/patent will give you greater protection.
Get an NDA for anyone you discuss it with to sign - it may not actually carry much in the way of teeth, but will give you a warm comfortable feeling and at least make people take you seriously.
If you’re unable to build even the most basic of prototype, then look around the local area for some small businesses that you may be able to partner with on the early development. Avoid the big boys until you have proved it works and are sure you absolutely own all IPR to the design or any possible derivatives.
If you need initial investment, try family and friends first. Then try looking for recommendations from business communities.
Good luck and try to have some fun whilst doing it.
Won't be able to build it myself which is a shame. I've contacted a company (Innovate) who have sent out a signed NDA. They will give me an hour of their time for free. They appear to be a well trusted company with articles in the nationals about them. It can't hurt to talk to them and get their input.
jas xjr said:
+1 a friend of mine mocked up a product in cardboard and approached the leading player in the relevant industry with an nda. he was offered £250 k
Holy Crap! What was it?Shrimper said:
find your local university. They are always looking for projects for students, and my uni takes on a lot of prototyping work for all sorts of industries. If you are anywhere near Pompey feel free to pm me
Good idea, thanks.egomeister said:
If you let me know a bit of info about what you are trying to achieve (mechanical/electrical etc) I'll see if I can give you any pointers about getting something put together.
Thanks, I may be in touch!daver777 said:
get the patent / nda then approach a friendly design consultancy, like mine.
pm me if you need me!
How do consultancies like yours charge?pm me if you need me!
EINSIGN said:
Get on with it and stop making excuses...
Cheers, I'm on it and no excuses are being made. May need to bend you ear about China. In another idea I've got I'm getting some samples sent over from China but don't know the best way to pay for the P&P (samples are free). They sent me a PI doc. with their bank account details? I have e-mailed them back but would like to get it paid sooner rather than later and get the project moving. Any hints on sending money to China?!?Thanks all.
Edited by evoesque on Friday 20th March 19:06
evoesque said:
I'm not sure it requires a patent although someone may know better. Basically the product is re-packaging something that already exists to make it more user friendly. All the technologies (I say technologies, it isn't electronic) exist. It would just be putting them together in a different way. Does this need a patent? Dunno.
samples sent over from China but don't know the best way to pay for the P&P (samples are free). They sent me a PI doc. with their bank account details? I have e-mailed them back but would like to get it paid sooner rather than later and get the project moving. Any hints on sending money to China?!?
A patent can only cover an implementation of an idea rather than the fundamental technology so what you are describing is exactly something that can be patented.samples sent over from China but don't know the best way to pay for the P&P (samples are free). They sent me a PI doc. with their bank account details? I have e-mailed them back but would like to get it paid sooner rather than later and get the project moving. Any hints on sending money to China?!?
Edited by evoesque on Friday 20th March 19:06
P&P from China for samples is usually done by giving them your Fed Ex (or similar) account details which they will charge shipping to, certainly I have never needed to send them any money for the shipping.
Ben
Try www.emachineshop.com - they can manufacture from a range of materials directly from your drawing (you need to use their software for the design).
Haven't used it myself, but its supposed to be excellent.
UV
Haven't used it myself, but its supposed to be excellent.
UV
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