Patent Attorney and Founder
If you are an aspiring inventor and entrepreneur, you are likely spending some time shopping around for services to help you on your journey. This could be anything from patent attorneys to investors and even people who can help make sure your finished product ends up on store shelves.
Whether you are still at the early Googling stages of this search or you already have some specific companies on your radar, it’s possible that you’ve heard of Invent Help.
So… what’s their deal? What do they offer? Are they worth looking into, or should you run in the opposite direction? Could they perhaps work in harmony with other services like Bold Patents?
We’re here to answer your questions and give you a quick guide and review on everything you need to know about Invent Help! So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Who is Invent Help?
Established in 1984, Invent Help was established as an in-depth resource for inventors on their way to fully established and patented ideas. They can assist you in submitting your inventions and ideas to industries, connect you with patent attorneys, and provide services that help with the invention process.
To tackle this ambitious mission, Invent Help has over 100 people employed at their Pittsburgh headquarters. These employees include researchers, writers, illustrators, and customer service representatives. Additionally, they have regional sales offices in over 65 cities in the U.S. and Canada.
The main purpose of a company like Invent Help is to consolidate the services you will need to bring an invention from idea to reality. By hiring a full-service organization like this, you can avoid spending additional costs on:
- Research to assemble general information regarding benefits, features, market targets, etc. pertaining to your invention
- Hiring a graphic illustrator
- Writing and printing invention literature
- Researching a list of potential companies to submit your finished idea to
- Obtaining confidentiality agreements with any potential companies
- Attending industry trade shows for networking
- Compiling a list of publications to contact with your invention
- Creating and sending out press releases
- And more
Though Invent Help can get fairly expensive after the costs and fees are settled, it is a privilege and deal to be able to avoid outsourcing all of the other work. Hiring different companies and individuals for all these tasks can get expensive, and trying to do it yourself can get exhausting.
While there are a number of points that Invent Help point to regarding their services, the most important, unspoken point would be peace of mind. Knowing that you can rely on a single, experienced company for so much of the work required to bring your idea to market makes a lot of the more tedious elements of entrepreneurship easier.
The Process
To help you get a better grasp on what it’s like working with Invent Help, it’s a good idea to go through the process. They have a variety of different services based on your unique needs, so we’ll go over the general offerings that you can take advantage of throughout your journey.
Getting Started
When you have your idea ready, you can reach out to Invent Help to get started. They will then help you package your idea, start your search for patent application help, and submit your idea to companies for production!
Your first step is to get started by submitting your details to receive free information and get in touch with an Invent Help Agent. You will have to submit your name, email, phone number, and zip code for they to contact and know how to best help you.
Then, you will have to proceed with a confidentiality agreement so that both you and Invent Help can rest assured that no information will be leaked or violated! This helps to cover Invent Help legally while giving you peace of mind that your invention is in good hands.
Virtual Invention Presentation
One of the next steps offered by Invent Help is the Virtual Invention Presentation (VIP). This consists of a video with 3D renderings and computer-generated animation to highlight the main function of your invention. It helps to provide viewers with more tangible understandings of how your idea works in practice.
This is such a vital step in realizing your idea because it helps both you and prospective manufacturers really see your idea in action. Going to a pitch presentation with something as thorough as this not only does wonders for the understanding of your idea, but also shows that you are serious and mean business.
The VIP displays the information provided in your Invent Help color submission brochure. Additionally, you can request that the video be sent to prospective companies that are interested in your idea. Since Invent Help does this service as well, there will be a smooth transition from the video stage to the submission stage.
Prototype Model
This is where things get truly exciting. Having a physical prototype for your invention brings it into the real world and shows you exactly what you will be working with in the future. Plus, it brings a real, tangible object to show to prospective investors and manufacturers, proving that you have not only a theory/idea but a real invention to work with.
Even if your idea feels crystal clear and fullproof in your mind, others may not be able to visualize it as clearly. Even with the VIP, there can always be some doubt or uncertainty regarding what the finalized, actual product will look like. This is where a 3-D prototype model can fill in the gaps and help inventors explain their ideas to others (and show why it’s useful).
The 3D prototype model package that Invent Help offers provides exactly what it states: a three-dimensional model of invention. They do this through the following steps:
Step 1
You provide Invent Help with basic information about your invention. This includes size, shape, appearance, etc. accompanied by a sketch. Submission clients will have already done this through their “Disclosure” to Invent Help at the very beginning.
This drawing does not have to be professional-grade and perfect! As long as it can successfully convey the idea to the design team, you are good to go. Not everyone can be an artist, and that’s what Invent Help’s team is here to help with!
Step 2
Invent Help will create a professional illustration of your invention. They will then send it back to you for review so you can approve or request changes to the illustration. This helps to achieve that professional quality sketch that you otherwise may have struggled to achieve on your own!
Step 3
This is when the prototype process gets fun! A 3D CAD drawing of your idea will be prepared based on the approved illustration. This is essentially a digital blueprint that will be put into the 3D printers to construct your model.
Step 4
Finally, Invent Help will create your invention prototype model with a Dimension 3D Printer. These printers used patented Fused Deposition Modeling technology to construct physical models on a layer-by-layer basis. This is done with durable acrylnitrile butadiene styrene plastic.
Final products may be produced in various sizes and include different features or details if you need variations. Though this prototype will not be functional, it will give you an accurate physical representation of your invention. Plus, it will make it easier to demonstrate how the final product will work by referencing a physical, three-dimensional diagram.
Invention Patent Referrals
This is where Invent Help will put in the work to refer you to patent attorneys who can assist you with the legal side of your journey. As you know, this is a vital step in the invention process, so you don’t want to settle for just any attorney!
We will recommend, however, that you actually have this part figured out before going through the steps with Invent Help. This helps to assure you that you have a valid and worthwhile idea before you pour money into the services offered by companies like Invent Help. After all, it would be devastating to get this far in the process only to discover that your idea has already been invented and patented by someone else.
To make sure you’ve undergone a thorough patent search and already have an attorney in your corner, be sure to do some research and reach out to us before embarking on your Invent Help endeavor.
Virtual Invention Browsing Experience
Finally, if you’re interested in getting your invention idea in front of companies from the comfort of your home, Invent Help has a Virtual Invention Browsing Experience (VIBE). This is a state-of-the-art virtual viewing station that gives companies the ability to privately view ideas from you and other Invent Help clients.
This helps you get your idea out there to prospective companies at the end of the journey without requiring excessive travel or event costs to do so!
Best Features
Now that we’ve established the basics of what you can expect from Invent Help, let’s dive into the review portion. The best place to start is typically with the strengths of what a company has to offer.
High Quality Services
One of the most important things to note here is that Invent Help is spectacular at what they do. If you go into your experience knowing exactly what you need and how to use Invent Help to your advantage, you will definitely reap the benefits in the end. At the end of the day, this is the most important thing they can offer.
That said, in order to truly take advantage of these offerings, you should already have a firm grasp on your invention and your needs. You should also be fairly comfortable in knowing what it is you will ask from Invent Help so that you can make sure they are as attentive as you need them to be (and in the right areas).
Persistence
An important element with invention services is persistence. If a company doesn’t bother to follow up with you, it is possible that you’ll let them fall through the cracks as you balance everything else you need to stay on top of. Plus, it is an indicator that you and your invention aren’t a particular priority to them.
Fortunately, this is definitely one of Invent Help’s strengths. They will personally reach out to you once you express interest and will follow up regularly through phone calls and messages to make sure you have the opportunity to speak to an agent about your idea and your needs. Having this persistence shows that your business is a personal priority to them and that they will make sure you get the attention you need, even if life is hectic on your end.
Experience
Of course, everyone wants a company with experience. This helps to ensure that you are getting the wisdom you really need. After all, if a company is new to the game, there is probably a lot that they haven’t seen or some areas that they may still be shaky with.
Invent Help has been helping inventors for over 35 years, so there is no doubt that they’ve been around the block a few times. Since 1984, they have constantly expanded with personnel and offices to reach more and more inventors, so there will definitely be people with experience in your needs.
Weaknesses
While every service has their strengths, it can be expected that they will have weaknesses. If you go into your experience knowing what to expect, however, then you may be able to avoid some of the worst aspects (or at least be prepared for what is to come).
Won’t Provide the Basics
The most important thing to understand when looking into companies like Invent Help is that they are stellar for supplemental services. They can’t personally help with advising about the quality of your idea or supplying a patent attorney right away.
Instead, they offer services where they can link you with a patent attorney. As you know, we have you covered for this part of the journey, so the important thing is to understand that Invent Help won’t serve as a replacement service that helps with everything from the basics to the referrals.
Expensive Commitment
As with most services in the patent world, Invent Help can run you a fairly high bill. For some inventors, this can get up to thousands of dollars. For inventors who only use minimal services, however, it is possible to take advantage of Invent Help’s offerings for only a few hundred dollars.
The important thing to note here is that the price tag comes with commitment. If you want Invent Help to be there with you for every step of the way possible, the price will reflect that. If you only have a few things that you feel you need help with, though, then the expense may not be too big of a dent in your budget.
Risk
Lastly, there is always the element of risk with comes like Invent Help. Many inventors will walk away feeling stung and cheated if their invention doesn’t turn a profit after everything invested. Unfortunately, though, this is the nature of entrepreneurship. There will be risk around every corner – you just need to determine which areas are worth it.
Invent Help cannot guarantee that your product or idea will be a massive success. Instead, they can give you the tools to help you get there. Before going to Invent Help, you should make sure that you have hashed out all of the nitty gritty with a patent attorney to evaluate whether the cost will be worth it or whether you need some more time at the drawing board.
How They Compliment Bold Patents
As mentioned above, Invent Help can connect you to patent attorneys, but they cannot supply this step of the journey themselves. For this reason, Bold Patents makes an obvious compliment in their ability to fill in this legal element of protecting your original idea before bringing it to market.
Since Bold Patents can help with patent searches, patent applications, and all of the other legal elements, you can take advantage of the additional services offered by Invent Help. By combining the legal and preliminary elements of Bold Patents with the extra steps through Invent Help, you will find yourself set with a full-service team.
The best way to approach this is to come to Bold Patents with your original idea before all else. Our licensed patent attorneys can help you determine whether your idea is truly original and worth pursuing or whether you need a little more work before the patent journey. Once you have your idea green-lit and protected, then you can go to Invent Help to make it a reality and actually get it stocked on store shelves!
At the end of the day, taking advantage of both Bold Patents and Invent Help is a surefire way to receive expert advice every step of the way. This will be vital in your success whether you’re a fresh new entrepreneur or a seasoned business person with a few inventions already under your belt!
In Summary
At the end of the day, the best person to know if Invent Help is a good fit for you… is you! Every inventor has different needs, strengths, and weaknesses, so simply knowing what to expect by doing your homework (which is why you’re here!) is the most important part.
That said, here are some of the most important takeaways:
- Invent Help is a full-service invention service
- They can help with simulations, prototyping, submissions, and more
- Their biggest strengths are their quality, persistence, and experience
- Their biggest weaknesses are their lack of basics, cost, and risk
- They can best compliment Bold Patents in the way that they provide all but the patent attorneys you can find here
Of course, a Bold Patents attorney could beautifully compliment your Invent Help experience by making sure you have a dedicated, knowledgeable USPTO patent attorney in your corner every step of the way for the more patent-heavy parts of your journey. Do you think Invent Help will make a good fit for you and your invention?
Legal Note: This blog article does not constitute as legal advice. Although the article was written by a licensed USPTO patent attorney there are many factors and complexities that come into patenting an idea. We recommend you consult a lawyer if you want legal advice for your particular situation. No attorney-client or confidential relationship exists by simply reading and applying the steps stated in this blog article.