What can Inventor’s Workshop do for me?
We offer inventors a free, honest, and confidential evaluation of their ideas. If we decide to become your agent, we will represent your ideas at no charge for any of our services—including development, marketing, and research. If you have a finished product, we also have an exisiting distribution channel and the ability to help you with logistics and fulfillment while you grow.
How does Inventor’s Workshop make money if it doesn't charge inventors for services?
Inventor’s Workshop does not charge inventors for reviewing or representing new ideas. We make money by selling companies finished products, and from fees that companies sometimes pay us for additional services. Whether we license the idea from our parent company or if the idea is submitted directly to Inventor's Workshop, we would negotiate a royalty arrangement with each inventor. Because we do not charge for our services and can only invest our efforts in a limited number of ideas, we end up representing only about 1-3% of the ideas we evaluate.
What kind of ideas is Inventor’s Workshop seeking? Will Inventor’s Workshop review ideas that are NOT in its area of interest?
We are actively seeking innovative items that could be developed and sold. We are especially interested in ideas that could be marketed within the promotional industry and novelties in the retail space, but will consider products in a variety of markets. If you are uncertain that your product would be a fit, please contact us to discuss further.
What’s the relationship between the Inventor’s Workshop and Big Idea Group (BIG)?
Big Idea Group is a sister company of Inventor's Workshop, although Inventor's Workshop is an independently managed company.
Who can submit ideas to Inventor’s Workshop?
We welcome ideas from professional and amateur inventors of all ages.
How do I submit an idea to Inventor’s Workshop for review?
You may contact us directly an we can discuss further.
What should I present when I show an idea to Inventor’s Workshop?
Our only requirements are that you have a well-articulated idea, a clear explanation of the invention, and that we receive an nondisclosure statement signed by you
We also prefer but do not require that inventors submit the following:
- Competitive research and patent research
- Visual or prototype, if possible—even a rough sketch is welcomed
- Any information on patents that you have obtained
You do NOT need a patent, trademark, or copyright on your idea but it can be very helpful.
PLEASE SUBMIT ONLY DUPLICATE MATERIALS, NOT ORIGINALS. While we do our best to take care of prototypes and samples, we cannot be responsible in the event that something is misplaced or damaged. If you must send an original, please discuss this with us before submitting your material.
What if more than one person has created an idea?
An idea created by multiple inventors is welcome, though you must state that in writing. Your team must select one person as the main contact (this will not affect how any possible royalties would be distributed later on). Also, we will need everyone's signature on the Entry Agreement (including that of a parent or legal guardian for those under 18).
What about privacy and confidentiality?
All staff members of the Inventor’s Workshop and Big Idea Group (BIG) are under signed confidentiality agreements and Inventor’s Workshop only works with reputable companies in the promotional and other industries. In addition, the first clause of our Entry Agreement provides you with confidentiality protection. Since we deal with so many inventors, it's impractical for us to negotiate and process hundreds of Nondisclosure Agreements.
Inventors must also understand that Inventor’s Workshop, Big Idea Group, and their corporate clients are involved in the business of researching and developing many ideas for new products. Inventor’s Workshop, BIG, and/or its corporate clients might have previously received, or might receive, third party ideas similar or identical to the inventor's idea.
What is a licensing deal and what terms can I expect?
Specific terms of every licensing deal differ, including amount of royalty paid.
What are the chances that BIG/Inventor’s Workshop will agree to try to license my idea?
BIG/Inventor’s Workshop does not charge inventors for our services. Therefore, we must concentrate on only those ideas that are the most promising and match the needs of at least one of our clients. We choose to represent only about 1-3% of the ideas we review.
How do I contact Inventor’s Workshop if I still have questions?
Click here for our contact information.