How do I find investors/manufactures to help get my patent-pending idea to the shelf?

QUESTION:

I have a patent pending for an adult toy product.  This product is like nothing on the market today, and I see it being very successful. How do I find investors/manufactures to help get my patent-pending idea to the shelf?

ANSWER:

Naomi Kokubo

Naomi Kokubo

by Naomi Kokubo, Cofounder of Founders Space

I can only imagine what you mean by “adult” toy, but let’s not get distracted.  In order to get an investor to fund your operation or a manufacturer to license your invention, you need to prove to them that it will fly off the shelf.

Think of your product as the experiment and you are the scientist who must provide proof that it truly works.  You need to gather enough data to convince any potential investors or manufacturers that your product will make money for them.

The first step that I usually recommend for any new product is to do lots of usability and focus group testing.  In your case, I’m not sure what’s the best approach.  That said, you really need a working prototype that can be tested.

The data should include:

1)  What do people think of your product?

2)  Would they purchase it?

3)  How much would they purchase it for?

4)  How does it compare to similar products on the market?

5)  Would they recommend it to friends?

6)  What size is the overall market?

7)  What are the profit margins?

8)  Who are the distributors?

9)  How do you best market it?

10)  Can you point to any similar products which have done well?

etc.

You get the idea.   You need to gather as many relevant data points as possible and use them to either prove or disprove your hypothesis that this product will fly off the shelves.

You may also consider hiring a third party firm to help oversee the data collection and analysis.  Once you have overwhelmingly convincing data that this product is indeed all you think it’s cracked up to be, then you can start approaching manufacturers and investors.

When you begin looking for a manufacturer, target companies in your industry.  It’s very hard to get a response from someone manufacturing or selling an entirely different type of product.  Also, find out who invests in your sector and approach them.

I hope this helps!

30 Comments

  1. Leah Ryon [email protected]

    Non-Disclosure forms will need to be signed before product can be discussed. Thank you!

  2. Leah Ryon [email protected]

    I am the inventor of a child safety product that is going to FLY off the shelves. I have a patent pending packaged prototype and I already have 2 small investors who are now “tapped out”. I do need to make some changes to the final product and get molds and manufacturing set up and funded. I will be marketing this only within the USA for now. 734-512-3183.

  3. Rick O"Neel

    Hello, my name is Rick O’Neel and I am an inventor. I have an idea for assisting handicapped and or disabled pets (I wish we had one of my ideas now, for our dog), but I am leery of starting the patent process because I’m unemployed and don’t have any extra cash and I don’t want to start something I can’t finance myself within a year. As my wife says, this needs to be out there for everyone to use though, so if your an investor and or a pet owner who can help please feel free to contact me.

    [email protected]

    Thank you for your time.

  4. David

    I’m an inventor and I have three patent pending inventions. One is a toddler tablet stand called The Tab-Bot. The second one is a multiple shelf container called The Microwave Divider that allows you to reheat up to five meals in your microwave. And the third are multipurpose cleaning gloves called The Hand to Hand. The drawings and descriptions of each one of these patent pending inventions can be seen on YouTube.com/TheInventoriam and on Twitter.com/@the_inventoriam. If your interested in investing, licensing or manufacturing any of these inventions please contact me at [email protected].

  5. Ali

    hello i am Ali Jafari from Iran .
    at first i should say i have an inventive mind which is always creating new ideas .
    15 years ago an idea came to my mind , a generator which can generate energy without any input !
    with no limitation .
    after these 15 years attempt i Succeeded to put this project to an end .
    this generator can produce energy for any kind of cars , apartment and even a city .
    the way it works is a compact which produce the energy it needs by its own without any needing of input.
    at present i am at the last step and i need 100,000$ , but my financial condition is poor and i can not provide this amount of money.
    i need an investor who can sign a legal contract with me to provide me this money , of course in my own country.
    advantages of this generator are :
    1-being inexpensive to produce .
    2-can generate energy without needing any kinds of input .
    3-can be used separately in any kind of electrical machines .
    4-can be used in spite of other ways of generating energy in world .
    5-it can be a strategic produce for the owner .
    6-after producing this design there is no need of production line and just by having the science it can be made.
    7-the only weakness is that can be copied easily but through a good marketing and sell this problem can be solved.
    good luck , Ali Jafari.
    e mail : [email protected]
    my manager mobile : +989122456712 mr.Khorampour

  6. Linda Dauphin

    I have a patent for solar running lights for a boat. I need help finding a manufacture to get it in the stores. Please advise what direction I need to go. I need someone to build them and I will have no proplem selling them on line and/or placing them in local stores to be sold. Pease help if possible. My cell phone number is (850)832-9433

  7. Mark

    Hello…Im not 100% sure that i will hear back from someone, but i’ll take a chance.Just like everyone else you hear from, i too have an idea for something.I’ve made an improvement on the standard cap that we wear every day. I’ve checked the market and there’s nothing out there like it. I have a patent pending on it, and am trying to get it launched.I have a working model of it and i’m interested in selling it with the hopes of creating a royalty with it. I’ve also done a market research…and there are many markets that this can impact, and can change and revolutionize the way hats are worn.If you know someone or a company that might be interested…please e-mail me or call me at 719-231-2654. Markets include sports, college sports,hip-hop…and at least five to six other markets that i wont mention right now. PLEASE…only serious inquirers only.Theres alot of money to be made for someone or a company that makes or sells hats, or for an individual. Thank you for your time.

  8. Stephen Powers

    Hello,

    Another important issue is intellectual property protection.

    I would like to introduce myself and our Patent Law Group, Gulf Coast Intellectual Property Group.

    Our law group specializes in Patent law and can
    provide you with low-cost, high quality Patent applications. We offer free consultations and deliver Utility applications for $2700 and Design
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    It never costs anything to talk to us so if you have a need for Intellectual Property protection I would be glad to speak with you. Thanks
    and I wish you success with your products.

    Stephen Powers

    Principal/Registered Patent Practitioner

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    5450 Bruce B. Downs Suite 355
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    http://www.gulfcoastip.com

    Protecting your Product or Idea is a crucial part of your overall business
    plan. Call us today to discuss your Intellectual Property Strategy. There
    is never a charge for consultations.

  9. Ken Jones

    Firstly nobody will think your idea is any good, it will even be difficult getting an appointment in the first place, just try phoning any corporation. Once you get an appointment you need to go in with the idea mocked up as close as possible to the real thing. There will have to be a serious ‘wow I wish I had thought of that’ angle to get anybody interested and also to get a patent. There is an industry just waiting to prey on the hopeful new inventor however these days you can do the whole patent process online, internationally. Even applying for a US Provisional patent is not the cheapest way to go, apply for a UK patent and you get a year to pay any fees and your UK Filing Date is good for your Non-Provisional US Patent. Therefore if nobody is interested in a year, just abandon your patent and it has cost you nothing. If someone is interested the royalty advance can pay the fees. A great cheap Amazon ebook which explains all this is DIY Patent Online – you can read some of it free. They also have a website but aren’t trying to sell their services, just telling you how to patent without an attorney. You can bet if anybody rubbishes this comment they are an attorney.

  10. mavrio

    I am 38 old man from Bulgaria. Recently invented invention. It I want to patented and spread around the world.With it each person using it, can prevent theft of data when withdrawing cash from an ATM. In my country, patenting has ventured from( I”ll steal it and someone else will to patent it. If monetary gain. I want to create many jobs for the unemployed like me. in this way they will feed their families. This is better than to give them one single loaf one time. even to go to the bank credit to productions. It should”be patented. I have not money to patent it alone.Please help! partnership , or at least advice who I to do?

  11. Baker

    Hello
    My name is Baker. I am a product developer with an exciting new innovation.
    You can see it here. http://patentauction.com/patent.php?nb=8403

    This is going to revolutionize the dance industry all together.

    Here is my video for the patent pending product here.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7RmwHW5x2A

    Email if you are interested in the product. I am looking to negotiate a buy-out or acquire a licensing deal.
    I’ve has several companies interested, but couldn’t come up with the manufacturing costs. So this is already a proven win product.
    Baker

  12. Quin

    I have a clothing patent now and trying to patent another idea. The new idea has had market research by university study. This product is needed by everyone.It is sure to generate profit for years to come. I’m seeking help with manufacturing of clothes for clothing line and/or help with financing for new product. The original price is $50,000. But the company I’m working with drop the upfront price to $20,000 and are willing to let me start with $11,000 and pay the rest when money generates from product.Anyone willing to invest will be reimburst promptly upon proceeds from product.For $11,000 investment I will repay $25,000. You will be very gratified to know you helped in the production of this product.

  13. Les v d Schyff

    m Les vd Schyff. I got this great patent that can prevent drownings more compactable. More vissible in water to rescue a person. Ideal for swimming. Ski. Watersports. Sea. Pools etc. I also Let a professor in marketing do a search for me that shows its a GOOD( patent)worldwide. I m willing to give 15% share to someone who can financially assist me to make and advertise to a final stage. Thanks LES. Republic of South Africa

  14. Richard

    I have an idea that can benefit people who ride their bikes and need a place to sit down when it’s time to rest the invention will sky rocket that everyone owning a bike will want one hurry this is the first atempt to ask for an investor and the one who helps me will see I have more ideas as well email me at [email protected] it’s sooooo cool 🙂

  15. maryann1950

    I recently read an interesting article online. It suggested that inventors do not spend tons of money to have their ideas patented, but rather just get a provisonal for $125.00 and make sure you scour everything you can before you do it. I do a search at the uspto and then I look for my product all over the internet. The one I have at the moment is nowhere to be found. The get industry news. For me the industry was jewelry I found the top brokers worldwide and I am working on them one by one. I still ask for a nda but I have it at the patent office plus my prototypes are being made in two seperate places so one does not know what the other is putting together. When I have all my parts to show I will send it out over the next few weeks. While I am not eager to go outside the usa. I do it for my prototype you can find anything you want on alibaba. You can skype to show them what you want and then you can do whatever you desire with it. I have recently contact a big fish who has taken a great interest in my idea and know all the big power brokers. I have just been invited to their annual conference. Heading in the right direction. I will be rubbing elbows with the creme of the crop in the industry and he is going to back me every step of the way. All I can say is do all your homework and keep a log just in case in a binded workbook. Hope this helps and wish me luck!

  16. L'marie

    I am in search of a toy manufacturer/company who will be interested in buying my doll patent and copyrights. Prototypes available. For further info, comments, questions or concerns, please contact me at [email protected].

  17. Brandon Elliott

    Sence my last post i have found a large manufacturer that can fill any work order i need filed. I just ordered 500 golt tees for prototype give aways. Im only looking for help making it to market no cash needed you can find out more about my tees by emailing me at [email protected]

  18. brian gibson

    well what are you waiting for all you investers who wish to get annual returns and capital growth this gives members 20yr exclusive rights to a golf product with market potential of 40M+.Small investment 20yr save returns,I read Banksia falls over for $66M a Geelong supposed desiel engine patent maker wipes out $220M of investers funds what happens?don’t investers look at the investment they are investing in ,now take my http://www.ezigolfer.com.au the web site clearly shows the product and any golfer can adjudge the demand it will bring

  19. brian gibson

    I have patent for worlds’ only golf cart club rack tested & achieves all explained in w/site ezigolfer.com.au offers savings in game time,guarantees club control& makes playing a pleasure,has many advantages for players and course owners,is produced by plastic moulding with 104% GPoS world market nos. over 4M with USA 2M +8%increase /yr.USA likely to market leader,is easy to promote & sell on line P&h or through distributers,I require either investors with forsight or parntners able to bring investors although golfers will have preference

  20. Charles Berry

    I’ve invented and have been using a device for the past year to measurably speed up an install progress i do for my job..The device(tool) saves an incredible about of time which means more money for the company..I’ve discussed this tool with several others in my line of work and some of them veterans of the trade as well as my employer now knows and is also interested and noticed the increase in my install time..This tool i am very certain is an easy sell and would sell for a good price on the market..Problem is I have no funds to patent the idea, (prototype is made and been use for 1 year now).So i am looking for an honest investor to help patent the idea so i can get in touch with the Manufacturer and pitch a sale..Or any advice is also welcome.

  21. Graham Colley

    Hello,
    I have an idea for a product that will assist pharmacies and would target all pbarmacies, but more so the large chain pharmacies. I am in the first stages of checking for existing patents/ideas that may be similar, however my ex fiance is a pharmacist, and I have contacted her and many of her coworker/friends and asked if any had seen or used anything like it and they have not. I am trying to find private investor(s) to partner with. I have a graduate degree and am working on setting up other income making ideas currently. I am also expanding to Brazil with my businesses. I am starting my search for an investor(s) willing to see idea and help follow through with prototype, patentn search and application fees, as well ad marketing and manufacturing for a percentage of the company (ownership). If serious and have funding to back, please contact [email protected]. Look forward to hearing from you.

  22. Cory Barnes

    I have three separate invention ideas that I know all are applicable into any daily life. They’re all convenience orientated. I’m looking for an investor/partner who has experience building a product and getting it out there. I’m extremely confident in one invention in particular. I’ll do the leg work, just need the Capitol to get the ball rolling. Email me at [email protected] if interested . Thanks

  23. Jamal

    Hi I invented a product and it is going to help the whole World.I just field for Patent Pending now.My invention is Fold-Down and Up Home-Craven-Trailer-emergency Shelter-Storage and I can count more.This Fold-Down Home 1 person can pop it up in 20 second and 1 bedroom with fold-down Bunk bed,Free Electric for life time with Solar Panels on the Top,Water line,Gas line,Electrick line.You can use this as a Flat trailer cary your 4 wheeler or motorcycle on the top and go to camping.This is all insulated,fire proof,Light wait,easy to store it and you can pull it with any size car.
    I need Serios investor to start making Production and sell it to all over the World.
    http://www.fold-down.com
    [email protected]

  24. Brandon Elliott

    I have invented a golf tee that is multifunctional an like nothing else out there. I know with in one year it will be in every major golf outlet.I am looking for a investor to take this product to next level asap.There is to pattens pending an trademark filed.The prototype was made in my garage by hand an works great just need a large company to mass produce my product.

  25. rich hamilton

    Some examples of my creativity,1. at about 10 years old i tried make screw in house fuses that were circuit breakers because i got sick of getting shocked. 2.I tried to patent a golf distance measuting device that measured a flags hight to calculate yardage.I got it all the way through the patent search and evaluation process but ran out of money and the company i went through patented it. 3.Our town was running out of cash and the paper asked for suggestions.Mine was have the police give out warnings for mild violations for 25-100 dollars.The person has 60 days to pay it and it won’t go on your driving record.If not it matures into a real ticket and goes in your record causing a probable insurance hike. They did not like it.With that one i also said the officer should make the perp turn off the car and hand him their keys till the event is completed this would prevent a lot of car chases.

  26. rich hamilton

    I have a product that has had a patent search and a survey of interest done.I get the reports in a week.It is favorable.For kicks I made a list of new products and procedures over a couple weeks.I am up to 2100.I let some friends i trust on facebook that are smart see 50 of them.They all think i am a creative genius.My humility stops me from commenting on that. If You help me with this panent by paying for the registration i will give you first shot at all the rest.They are in all fields.Give me a subject and i’ll give a couple ideas.I am on facebook from lancaster MA.A friend wanted me to make some star trek jokes for a laugh. In 2 weeks i made 3000+.They are in my albums if you want to see how my mind works.

  27. GENECA GOLDSBY

    Serious Inventor in search of a Serious Investor
    I have an invented a product for the beauty industry. It’s a unique product,there’s nothing like it on the market, I had a Market Analysis and Product Innovation Guide prepared. This product is going to make millions, it’s much needed for almost all stylist around the world. I’m a stylist and its a constant use for me… I need a investor! It’s guaranteed money maker and should see return profits with in the first year of being on the market. Serious inventor…..

  28. Robert Johnson

    I have a product that I invented,have a prototype,and a non-provisional utility patent pending for a product that could possibly be in every home.it should be easy to manufacture,package and put on store shelves, the profit margin could be excellent, my problem is I am an inventor, and don’t know how to get this done,any help here?

  29. abel

    I am the inventor of a 2 patent pending fitness products great investment potential.Location:Chicago,il

    I am looking for an investor group so i can launch this amazing product
    goodproduct for tv shopping network-

  30. Steve

    That was an interesting question. I am developing a similar “adult toy”, formed an LLC as the holding company, filed the prov patent, filed an intent to use trade mark, built 3 prototypes and have 12 couples have tested. We have completed all of the above items in the answer.

    The question I have is: how do you approach larger angel investors in this arena?

    Fortunately – we are in the process of negotiating a possible licensing arrangement with a current major manufacturer – however we are wanting to develop certain aspects of a different market segment of the product in-house. We plan on using potential licensing revenue to assist with this, and have interest from several local investors. However due to the value proposition of this application, we think more rapid expansion may be needed.

    We have a business plan with financials, video presentations, and a reasonable NDA.

    So, where do you recommend going to look for investors on a larger scale?

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