Where can I submit my invention idea?
Asked by: Dr. Ahmed Buckridge | Last update: March 19, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (9 votes)
You can submit invention ideas through online innovation platforms (like MarketBlast.com), direct company submissions (major corporations have open innovation programs), crowdfunding sites (Kickstarter, Indiegogo), patent offices, incubators/accelerators, or specialized services like InventHelp and Idea Buyer. The best route depends on your goal, but most methods involve finding companies interested in your product category and presenting a strong pitch, often after securing some basic patent protection, say Space Exploration Stack Exchange users and Temple University.
Where do I submit an invention idea?
Invention City is looking for great invention ideas to license and will consider your invention for FREE. If we say "yes" we'll offer you a deal that costs you $0 out of pocket (you are not obligated to accept our offer).
How do I sell my invention idea?
How to Successfully Pitch an Idea to a Company
- Step 1: Gather Information. Yes, it is the information age which means the more info you are armed with, the better off you will be. ...
- Step 2: Prepare a Professional Presentation. ...
- Step 3: Pinpoint Your Targets. ...
- Step 4: Qualify Your Targets. ...
- Step 5: Make the Sale.
How do I get paid for my invention idea?
To get paid for invention ideas, you typically license them to companies for royalties or a buyout, requiring a solid, simple, and market-ready concept, often with a patent pending; you can find partners by approaching large corporations directly (like Procter & Gamble, 3M, Unilever), working with invention submission companies (like InventHelp), or using online platforms, but protection (patent/provisional patent) and a prototype are key to proving the idea's viability and getting serious interest.
Where do I start if I have an invention idea?
5 Steps for Turning Your Invention Idea Into a Product
- Step 1: Document It. ...
- Step 2: Research It. ...
- Complete an initial patent search. ...
- Research your market. ...
- Step 3: Make a Prototype. ...
- Step 4: File a Patent. ...
- Step 5: Market Your Invention.
How to get your idea patented
Can I sell my invention idea without a patent?
“You certainly don't need a patent [in order to sell], but in my experience, it's going to be a lot more attractive to a buyer if you have at least started the process of seeking protection for the idea or the invention,” says Dawn-Marie Bey, an intellectual property attorney in Richmond.
What are 10 accidental inventions?
Ten major inventions born from accidents include Penicillin, Post-it Notes, Teflon, Microwave Oven, X-rays, Velcro, Potato Chips, Corn Flakes, Superglue, and the Ice Cream Cone, discovered through lucky mistakes, failed experiments, or keen observation of everyday phenomena like mold, sticky burrs, or melted chocolate bars. These accidental creations highlight how serendipity often drives innovation, leading to products used daily, from life-saving medicine to kitchen staples.
How much is my invention worth?
Unfortunately, there is no magic formula for determining this. The value is determined by whether the invention is patentable, by the amount of money you can make through selling products or services under the patent, and by any licensing fees you can obtain from others interested in your invention.
Can Chatgpt write a patent?
It takes in your prompt—what you type—and gives back a bunch of words based on patterns in the data it was trained on. That means if you ask it to “write a patent,” it can write something that looks like a patent. It can mimic the format, the tone, and even include some legal-sounding language.
How much does it cost to patent an idea in South Africa?
Upon the granting of a patent, it becomes enforceable by law. A complete patent application is filed by a patent attorney and could cost anything from about R5 000 – R20 000*. Don't forget the yearly renewal fees of between R500 and R1 000 to keep the patent in force.
Will companies pay for ideas?
A handful of companies are upfront about their intention to buy your ideas. They will not pay for every submission but only for a select few that meet their design requirements and are good enough to put into production. Anyone can make money by providing the idea of a product.
Can you legally own an idea?
The short answer is: not directly. However, while ideas themselves are considered intangible and cannot be protected, there are ways to protect the expression or application of those ideas, including through copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and NDAs.
What are the 5 requirements for a patent?
To get a patent, an invention must meet five key requirements: it must be patentable subject matter, have utility, be novel (new), be nonobvious, and provide enablement (a clear description of how to make and use it) in the patent application. These criteria ensure the invention is a useful, original, and adequately described advancement in technology.
Can I patent an idea if I'm not an inventor?
Under U.S. law, you cannot patent an idea, but you may be able to protect your idea by bringing it to life. Learn how ideas differ from inventions.
How much does it cost to put a patent on an invention?
A patent attorney will usually charge between $9,000 and $16,000 for a patent application, but the cost can be higher. In most cases, you should budget between $15,000 and $25,000 to complete the patenting process for your invention. Previous: Why should you file a patent application? Next: Is your invention valuable?
How do you pitch an idea to Apple?
Apple and its employees and contractors do not accept, review or consider any unsolicited ideas, works, materials, proposals, suggestions, artwork, content or the like, including for advertising campaigns, promotions, products, services, technologies, product enhancements, processes, marketing strategies, product names ...
What did Elon Musk patent?
Elon Musk holds patents for early internet innovations like online mapping and business directories, while his companies, especially Tesla and SpaceX, have extensive patent portfolios in areas like electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and reusable rockets, despite his public stance against patents; he famously released Tesla's patents for open use but actively innovates and protects IP for his ventures. He has about 25 patents personally, but his companies hold thousands, covering innovations from AI for autonomous cars (like Tesla's Summon) to rocket technology.
What is the 30% rule in AI?
The 30% Rule in AI is a framework emphasizing that AI should handle approximately 70% of repetitive, routine work while humans focus on the remaining 30% of high-value activities requiring creativity, judgment, and ethical decision-making.
Who cannot be patented?
What inventions cannot be patented in India?
- inventions being frivolous or contrary to public order, morality, public health, the environment, etc.
- scientific discoveries.
- mere discoveries of new forms of known substances.
- methods of agriculture or horticulture.
Can I just sell my invention idea?
Yes, you can sell an invention idea, but you can't sell the raw idea itself; you need to develop it into an asset by securing intellectual property (IP) like patents or design rights, creating prototypes, and using Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) to protect yourself before pitching it to companies for licensing or sale. Focus on demonstrating commercial viability, not just the concept, to find interested partners and get royalty deals or outright sales.
Do inventors get paid?
Income varies widely based on factors like industry, licensing deals, and business approach. Inventors can profit through selling patents, licensing, manufacturing, or working under contract for companies. Success often requires market research, effective pitching, realistic expectations, and persistence.
Who had 1000 unsuccessful inventions?
Thomas Edison is famously associated with numerous unsuccessful attempts, particularly making over 1,000 tries to invent the practical incandescent light bulb, famously stating he "found 1,000 ways that won't work" rather than failing, demonstrating immense persistence in his prolific inventing career.
Who accidentally invented Coca-Cola?
On May 8, 1886, Dr. John Pemberton brought his perfected syrup to Jacobs' Pharmacy in downtown Atlanta where the first glass of Coca‑Cola was poured. Serving about nine drinks per day in its first year, Coca‑Cola was an exciting new drink in the beginning. See the story here of how it all began.