Strategy for Prototypes - Shem Lachhman, inventor of ZipX

The Start-up: Fantasy or Reality?

It’s best when you can bring on a “real partner” (someone who’s going to roll up his or her shirtsleeves) to share in the costs, hard work and rewards without you having to sell your soul to an investor.

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An image showing an inventor realizing the complexities of filing a patent pro se. The background includes legal documents, patent illustrations, and representations of intellectual property challenges. In the foreground, the inventor, dressed in work overalls and surrounded by tools, looks overwhelmed while trying to write a patent application. Symbols of legal hurdles and intricate technical drawings are integrated into the background, emphasizing the need for professional assistance. The overall tone is cautionary and educational.

Inventor News – Should You File Your Own Patent?

The Risks of Filing a Patent Pro Se Inventors often tell me that they filed “Pro Se,” meaning they filed their patent on their own instead of using a registered patent attorney. While this might save money up front, it will most likely cost you in the long run. From a legal standpoint, filing on […]

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An image showing an inventor avoiding common pitfalls in the invention process. The background features various stages of development like patent filing, prototype creation, and market research. In the foreground, the inventor, wearing work overalls and using a map to navigate through a maze filled with symbols of obstacles like money pits, time traps, and roadblocks. The image highlights the importance of following the correct order of steps to bring an invention to market. The overall tone is educational and cautionary.

Delay Means Disaster Overcoming Challenges in Inventing

To American inventors, inventing can be seen as an adventure, a dream, and a huge challenge. It’s often all of these. Getting a product into

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A concept image showing an inventor discovering the R&D tax credit. The background includes illustrations of various inventions, gadgets, and products in development. In the foreground, a tinker-style inventor wearing work overalls and surrounded by mechanical tools looks surprised while holding a document labeled 'R&D Tax Credit' with a magnifying glass, surrounded by symbols of research and development such as gears, cogs, and blueprints. The image is informative and enlightening

Tax Research & Development (R&D) Credit

Discover the R&D Tax Credit for Inventors Every inventor I talked with over the last couple of weeks had no idea that an R&D tax credit might apply to them. “Are you kidding me??” is the most common response. Many inventors are wondering why their accountants didn’t even know about this valuable tax benefit! […]

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An image depicting an inventor struggling with the challenges of order fulfillment. The background includes various elements of the manufacturing and shipping process, such as boxes, shipping labels, and packaging materials. In the foreground, the inventor, dressed in work overalls and looking overwhelmed, is surrounded by a cluttered desk with papers, packing supplies, and a computer. Symbols of fulfillment challenges like time clocks and dollar signs are subtly integrated into the background, highlighting the time and cost issues involved. The overall tone is cautionary and educational

The Challenges of Filling Orders

After getting a patent filed, prototypes done, paying for manufacturing, and the crazy cost of marketing, now you have to deal with the fulfillment! For inventors who go into production, fulfillment can be daunting. Learn different options on how to successfully deal with fulfillment from other inventors.

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An image depicting the complexities of manufacturing decisions for inventors. The background features a split scene with elements of both American and overseas manufacturing, including factories, machinery, and shipping containers. In the foreground, an inventor, dressed in work overalls, is shown comparing costs and quality, with symbols like dollar signs and quality check marks. One side shows a 'Made in the USA' label and the other side highlights the cost savings from overseas manufacturing. The overall tone is informative and balanced."

Inventor Info – Made in the USA

Most Americans prefer to buy ‘Made in America,’ and most inventors would rather manufacture in America. Unfortunately, this is not always an option due to cost. The American consumer dictates manufacturing locations based on price. Learn about the factors influencing manufacturing decisions and how some inventors navigate these challenges.

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ASD Marketweek 2024 – Best Show Yet!

**Excerpt:**

“ASD Market Week March 2024 was the best Business to Business professional tradeshow we have ever attended. The show staff were wonderful to work with before, during, and after the show. Our booth saw a lot of traffic every day of the conference. For the first time, we had inventors who actually took multiple orders, and four members of our team received licensing offers either at the show or immediately following. The first ever Innovation Award was given to Lesley Holland for The Jewelry Closet: THE FIRST & ONLY MODULAR JEWELRY ORGANIZER, which will be featured on Invent-America for 6 months.”

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Inventor News APRIL 24- Professional Tradeshows / WARNINGS

Professional tradeshows aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. While there are benefits to attending, potential attendees should approach these events with a critical eye. For instance, it’s important to be wary of tradeshows that have an inventor section run by a nonprofit organization that claims to represent the interests of independent inventors. More often than not, these nonprofit organizations are simply trying to funnel money into their own pockets at the inventors’ expense. Additionally, it’s a good idea to avoid tradeshows with exhibitor names that are impossible to pronounce and shows that attract a large international following. A high percentage of international attendees may signal that the show has been overrun by foreign entities, meaning a low percentage of attendees are American buyers. It’s also important to pick a professional tradeshow that specifically caters to your industry rather than your status as an inventor. If you follow these rules, you can increase your odds of having a successful experience at a professional tradeshow.

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Strategy for Prototypes – Shem Lachhman, inventor of ZipX