How To Get Started With An Idea: Startups!

You have a new product idea but no idea what the next steps are? Are you a startup, inventor or a business with a great idea?  Check out these steps that will help you get that idea off the ground.

10 Steps For Turning Your Invention Idea Into A Product

Step 1 IDEA OR CONCEPT:

Document your idea. This is key before you start. Use whichever format you are most comfortable with, take notes, draw sketches or doodles or create an excel sheet but it is important to document your idea in the clearest possible way. Record your idea’s description and features.

This allows you to communicate with any of the stakeholders and gives you a reference point to jump off from. 

Step 2  PATENT SEARCH:

A patent search will let you know of any ideas patented like yours or similar. It is extremely important that you understand the significance of a patent search. Not doing the proper patent search might end up wasting your time and money on the entire project. Do it yourself or pay a professional firm like us to do it!

Step 3 PATENT & PATENT DRAWINGS:

If you don’t protect your idea by patenting it, you will be hindering the option of selling your idea to large corporations or licensing your idea for a royalty. It is very important to protect your idea. Find out if your idea complies with the 3 rules of patenting: novel, useful, and not obvious. We can help you determine the patentability of your idea.

Step 4 MARKET SEARCH:

It’s imperative to do market research. Check out any comparable products in the marketplace. What similar features do they share with your idea? Are they patented? Issued or pending? Are they selling? Where do they sell: online or in a retail store? What is out in the marketplace that you didn’t know about? What can you use from existing products to enhance your idea? Discover your competition. Take advantage of the information out there.

Step 5 INDUSTRIAL DESIGN & MECHANICAL ENGINEERING:

If your ideas requires Industrial designer or mechanical engineers we can help! With expertise in product design, our mechanical engineers will work with you to define the details of how your idea will work and be manufactured.

Step 6 3D PRINTING & PROTOTYPING:

This is one step you should never try to avoid. Whether for marketing, a presentation, or a pitch, don’t underestimate the power of holding your idea. Here at Spark we can help you build your prototype. Whether it be made of metal parts, fabric, plastic or a combination, We can 3D print your 1:1 scale model, with functioning moving parts or a stunning static representation of your final product.

Step 7 MANUFACTURING:

Our team of industrial designers and mechanical engineers makes sure your idea is designed with manufacturing in mind. With Spark’s supplier and manufacturing support, our experienced design and engineering team oversees your project through pre-production and manufacturing, 

Step 8 MARKETING & MARKETING MATERIAL:

In today’s world, getting attention is a challenge. A comprehensive marketing plan has to be your number one priority. Whether it is digital or print, direct marketing or online, web-based, social media, or cold calls and knocking on doors, make sure you try them all. Every business is very specific and it caters to different sectors so a wide-ranging marketing strategy is important.

Step 9 PACKAGING & GRAPHIC DESIGN:

Packaging can sometime be just as important as any other step as it can be your idea’s first impression for a customer. If your idea will sell solely online, the packaging may have less impact than for a product that is visible on store shelves, but packaging should still be valued as an integral part of your idea.

Step 10 LICENSING YOUR PRODUCT & SALES:

You have a sellable idea but you have no clue where to start or what companies to approach. Does this sound familiar? You might want to sell online or take your product retail, or maybe you want to license your idea or product and make a profit for each item. This is an easy way to make some money without the hassle of working on the sales end of things. If so, we can definitely help you get on track.

Now you have a roadmap that shows you where you can begin and how you can thrive. To really get your journey going, give us a call for a free consultation. Our professionals have helped thousands of inventors and startup businesses.