Archive for February, 2011
Innovation key for jobs, Govt must support, Obama says
President Obama said that “the rules have changed” in the global competition for jobs and said the U.S. must adapt by make investments for innovation and infrastructure. “We are the nation that put cars in driveways and computers in offices; the nation of Edison and the Wright brothers; of Google and Facebook. In America, innovation doesn’t just change our lives. It’s how we make a living,” he said.
Obama called for investments in biomedical research, information technology, and clean energy technology. It’s “an investment that will strengthen our security, protect our planet, and create countless new jobs for our people,” he said. He said government’s help was needed, as he made his argument for spending in those areas.
“Our free enterprise system is what drives innovation. But because it’s not always profitable for companies to invest in basic research, throughout history our government has provided cutting-edge scientists and inventors with the support that they need,” he said. Read More
Small & Home Business Connection Expo
Our Mission: To promote professional growth through support, networking & education
Concrete Flipper
ICKC Board of Directors
We just wanted to say thanks for the fun and informative time we had as a part of the contest, everyone there was very nice especially Mike Devine and the people from Faultless they really treated us well.
Ralph said he felt a little out of his league but did the best he could considering his nerves, who knows we may see you next year with a new idea. Thanks again.
SportsShade Retractable Canopy Awning
ICKC president, Carrie Jeske, has successfully launched the SportsShade, portable, fully retractable canopy awning. The product was patented in August of 2000 and currently selling, via direct online sales. Carrie and her husband/inventor Stewart Jeske, raised $150,000 in start up capital and have sold more than 10,000 units, establishing brand recognition in niche markets such as Dog Shows, RC Events, Tailgaters and Trailer Campers.
Find out more about SportsShade at www.SportsShade.com
To list your ICKC success story on this blog, please email [email protected]
IdeaBuyer.com
IdeaBuyer.com serves as a platform for intellectuals interested in presenting new ideas to companies and entrepreneurs actively seeking new products to commercialize.
Invent & Profit Like Thomas Edison
Well known American inventor, scientist and businessman, Thomas Edison, never stopped inventing from the time he started through the end of his life. He died with 1,093 patents to his name. More notably though, he commercialized hundreds of patented inventions through patent licensing, patent sales, and by building companies around his patented ideas.
Lesson #1: Invent to Sell
One of our favorite Edison quotes explains his desire to create commercially viable inventions:
“Anything that won’t sell, I don’t want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success.” -Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison used daily life as inspiration for many of his inventions. He would actively think about and observe problems and needs which he believed people would pay to have solved. Many of his patents were improvements on existing products that increased usability and practicality.
“I have never perfected an invention that I did not think about in terms of the service it might give others.. I find out what the world needs, then I proceed to invent.” - Thomas Edison
Lesson #2: Understand the Value of Marketing
Unlike other inventors of his time, Edison understood the value of marketing. After inventing a product, he did not sit back and wait for customers to come to him. Instead, he went out and actively marketed his inventions. Early on, he focused on licensing or selling his patents. Later, he focused on creating companies to bring his products to market.
“Unlike other inventors of his time, Edison understood the value of marketing”
Edison believed in showcasing his inventions to the public and throwing down a challenge to competing products. When promoting his AC power over Nikola Tesla’s DC power, he electrocuted an elephant with Tesla’s DC power to prove it was dangerous and should not be used.
Lesson #3: Work Hard and Be Persistent
Thomas Edison was a self-acclaimed hard worker. He did what he had to do so that he could keep inventing. His ambition, drive and motivation are inspirational:
“I never did anything by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work.” -Thomas Edison
Edison figured out how to invent while working full time. He worked jobs that would provide him the ability to invent while he was also collecting wages. Edison purchased his first industrial research lab with the money he made from the sale of the quadruplex telegraph to Western Union which he invented after hours.
Lesson #4: Think Outside of the Box
When Edison was conceptualizing the implementation of electric power, he didn’t just stop at the idea. Edison figured out how to distribute it, in order for people to use it, making him money. Edison’s DC power was eventually replaced with AC power in most states during the mid 20th century; however parts of New York City used DC power until 2007.
“Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.” -Thomas Edison
Lesson #5: Focus on One Idea
Thomas Edison also understood the power of focus. This is displayed by another one of my favorite quotes of his.
“I have more respect for the person with a single idea who gets there than for the person with a thousand ideas who does nothing.” -Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison used his focus and persistence to get results. Over the period of his life, Thomas Edison founded 14 companies, including General Electric, which is one of the largest companies in the world.
Edison’s strategy for inventing can serve any inventor who wants to make money; invent what people need and then actively promote your invention to find your customers. The only way your invention will have a shot is with persistent and proper marketing.
Written by Idea Buyer http://www.ideabuyer.com/index.php
Expediting U.S. Innovation Comes at a Cost
Wall Street Journal Article. Written By: Angus Loten
As part of a broader effort to spur homegrown innovation, the Commerce Department this week announced a move to fast-track the patent process by allowing entrepreneurs to expedite U.S. reviews by paying a hefty fee.
Yet some in the patent industry fear the initiative might do more harm than good by giving money-rich companies an edge over start-ups in the race for a patent, while doing little to reduce an already growing backlog of applications that is causing delays in product development and expansion plans.
Until now, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office largely has processed patents on a first-come, first-serve basis for a base fee of $1,090.
Last year, the office granted more than 244,358 patents, up 27% from 2009. The process takes an average of 35 months to complete, and often includes costly legal fees—patent lawyers typically charge more than $25,000, depending on the complexity of the application. Read More
SPREE (Specialty Retail Entrepreneur Expo)
SPREE, the Specialty Retail Entrepreneur Expo and Conference, is the specialty retail industry’s largest event–exclusively bringing retailers together with wholesalers, property managers and service providers from across the country.
Brought to you by Specialty Retail Report, attendance at SPREE means you can hear from industry experts at our seminar program, network with your peers at our social events and explore the hottest products, locations and services in our exhibit hall—all for FREE!
INPEX – “The Invention Show” – June 14-17, 2011
Operated by InventHelp, The Invention & New Product Exposition (INPEX) is a unique trade show that showcases numerous inventions, new products and innovations that are available to license, market or manufacture. “The Invention Show” brings inventors and entrepreneurs together with industry representatives in one convenient forum.
Exibit at INPEX in the ICKC booth. Find out more here.
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