How to Start a Business: Inventions

Successful development of an invention requires careful business planning as well as safeguards to protect your product. Consider the following steps from idea to market:

  1. A great product! It all starts with your idea.
  2. Write it down. Use an inventor's notebook to verify that the idea is yours in case of future questions or conflicts.
  3. Patent search. Start by looking for any product that is similar to yours--begin with catalogs, then review popular and trade magazines, then industry indexes. Next search databases using the patent classification system. Finally, hand your search over to a professional patent searcher.
  4. Preliminary market research. Collect consumer data and reaction to your product. Talk to people in the industry without telling them your actual idea.
  5. Build a model or prototype.
  6. Create a business plan.
  7. Submit your idea to potential buyers to get orders.
  8. Apply for a patent. The cost of having a patent filed can be quite high. A self-drafted patent is possible, but will probably not be as strong.
  9. Find funding. There are many appoaches to financing your enterprise.
  10. Manufacture.
  11. Distribute to consumers. Products don't sell themselves. You need a plan for marketing and distribution.

There are many resources on the internet that provide information, support, professionals, and/or the opportunity to interact with other inventors.

Sites for California businesses:

Other sites of interest:

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FREE and low-cost assistance for small businesses is available from your local Small Business Development Center.

This document was prepared by the San Joaquin Delta College Small Business Development Center. Send comments to: Gillian Murphy

Acknowledgements, disclaimers, etc.

Written and designed by Laurie Litman of InfoWright
Created: June 5, 1996
Revised: Wednesday, January 3, 2001