Past Speakers

Announcing the 2022 Year-Long-Agenda
   
HOW TO BE PART OF THIS SERIES OF EVENTS:
Shoot us an email by clicking here - and we will register you and send you the zoom link.
 
 
Throughout the year, the club itself will develop and introduce its own product in order to provide hands-on real-life experience to its membership on how to develop and launch a consumer product.
 
Meeting monthly as it has done in the past, the club will both develop, and introduce a new product.  This product will act as a real-world example from which participants will be exposed to and learn the processes of bringing a product to market.  Included is exposure to the details, tasks, and activities that need to be addressed to accomplish the launch. 
 
The program will follow a selected new product from initial phases all the way through introducing the product into reseller channels and to do so in an accelerated fashion. 
 
The goal at the end of 2022 is to have several months of market exposure underway, that the club members can follow and use as an example as they may parallel development of their own inventions.
 
Attendees will be encouraged to come up with their own idea that they can mirror the activities of the Club's product development.  Members can parallel path their development based upon learnings gleaned from our monthly presentations.  
 
HOW TO BE PART OF THIS SERIES OF EVENTS: Shoot us an email by clicking here - and we will register you and send you the zoom link.
 
Session 2:  Will Retailers and Consumers BUY Your Product Idea?
The Inventors School 2022: NAPKIN TO SHELF-Bringing a New Product to Market
Session 2 - February 16th 6pm to 8pm via zoom.
 
SITUATION:  Last month The Inventors School selected the product that the Inventors Network (IN) will be developing and bringing to market in 2022.
In case you missed it, the product we selected is a Parent-Child Activity Toy for toddlers and preschoolers. 
The Zoom audience was active, and gave us lots of suggestions and ideas that we will include in our thinking.  
 
 
WHAT’S AHEAD NEXT MONTH: Between each Meeting during 2022, the IN New Product Team will be “Developing” the Toy Product to the Next Step in the development process. We will be sharing WHAT we have done each month and HOW we did it.  Then the audience will give us their ideas on what they like and what we might consider to make it even better. THAT WILL PROVIDE LEARNING FOR ALL OF US!!
• AND EACH OF YOU AS INVENTORS WILL BE LEARNING HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR PRODUCT IDEA BETTER AND FASTER!
• Remember, “Napkin to Shelf” is the theme for the Inventors School 2022 inaugural year. So join us every month, and make 2022 the year that you Take Your own Idea from NAPKIN TO SHELF! 
 
 
Session 3: Bringing Your Idea to Life: WILL Your Design Really Solve the Problem?
The Inventors School 2022: Bringing a New Product to Market
 
What is this all about? 2022 brings you 12 sessions where we walk through the development of a particular product.  Each Month, we share WHAT we have done each prior month and HOW we did it. 
Then you the audience will give us your ideas on what you like and what we might consider to make it even better. 
  • Each of YOU as Inventors Will Be Learning How to Develop Your Product Idea BETTER AND FASTER!
  • Remember, “Napkin to Shelf” is the theme for the Inventors School 2022 inaugural year.
  • First time joining this month? Not been here before? We will bring you up to speed as we encourage members to develop their products in parallel with the one we are creating as an example.
  • By joining us on the journey, you can make 2022 the year that you Take Your Own Idea from NAPKIN TO SHELF!
  • Between each Meeting during 2022, the IN New Product Team will be “Developing” the selected product to the Next Step in the 12 step development process and we'll present its progress as we go through the year.
 
RECAP of LAST MONTH (Session 2): The Inventors School showed HOW inventors can VET their idea before spending any money.  
  • HOW to IDENTIFY MARKET GAPS and UNMET CONSUMER NEEDS.  
  • HOW to Get Ideas From the Marketplace to IMPROVE THEIR IDEA and Make it Better. 
Learn About the types of PLASTICS and their many Manufacturing Processes
LEARN About the Types of Plastics and the Many Plastic Manufacturing Processes
 

This will be an IN-PERSON MEETING July 21, 6:00-8:00PM ((Networking 5:30-6:00 and 8:00-8:30)
Where: 1001 HWY 7, Eisenhower Community Center (Just West of HWY 169), Hopkins MN 55305

 
Our IN PERSON speaker, Ron Johansson, will give inventors an understanding of many different types of plastics and the many manufacturing methods.  You should get a good understating of the manufacturing options are for your product. 
You will also learn how to estimate the manufacturing cost of most injection molded parts.
  • WHAT the two major types of plastics are
  • THE 13 types of plastic manufacturing processes
  • WHAT types of geometries can be manufactured with each process
  • HOW to select the best manufacturing options for your product
  • HOW to estimate the cost to manufacture an injection molded part
  • THE many assembly/attachment methods for plastic parts
 
Save Time & Money Designing & Engineering your Invention
COME AND LEARN:  
OVERVIEW:  
Tonight’s speaker, John Ellis, has spent a career helping inventors and corporations design and engineer product ideas.  A key part of his success, particularly with inventors, is helping them clearly define “what they need”. What their product needs to do.  And what the product needs to deliver to the customer and the consumer that uses it.
 
To be successful, every inventor must think through and visualize how their product invention will be designed and engineered. Designers and engineers need to clearly understand all of the key design criteria, such as product performance criteria, materials, size/dimensions, cost limitations and user requirements, and more.  If you don’t get it right the first time, you can lose significant time and money!
 
LEARN:
  • WHAT Product Designers and Engineers need to know to do their best work
  • WHAT not to do when you approach an engineer or engineering company
  • WHAT is development and WHAT is engineering
  • HOW engineers are judging you 
  • HOW production methods impact design choices
How to License Your Invention SMARTER
Warren Tuttle, Licensing Expert and Author
will discuss his New Amazon Best-Selling book Inventor Confidential: The Honest Guide To Profitable Inventing. AND share what inventors need to know about licensing their inventions today. This will include KEY STEPS you, and every inventor need to know to market and license your invention.
• WHY Warren wrote The Honest Guide to Profitable Inventing, and how it can help you invent and license better and smarter.
• WHAT the most challenging obstacles are to licensing your invention today
•   HOW inventors can improve their odds of licensing success by following a thorough product development protocol, creating working prototypes, and filing U.S. Patents
•   HOW companies determine the quality of a product submission and what make them decide to work with an inventor
•   WHAT are the red flags to avoid when individuals or companies charge up front for their coaching or help-to-market services
•   30 STEPS to Marketing And Licensing Your Invention that will increase your chance of success  
 
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: 
• Inventors
• New Product Innovators/Entrepreneurs
• New Business Startups
 
 
MEETING: 
Date:  April 21, 2021
TIME: 6:00-7:30 PM CDT
Chris Guerrera: What I learned from Buz Startups that You need to know!
In 2 sections of discussion, COME AND LEARN from Chris Guerrera:
WHAT He Learned from Biz Startups That YOU Need to KNOW!                                                            
Featuring insights about Chris' projects
  • Tidy Hook
  • Super Potty Trainer
  • And MORE
 
WHY You Need to VET Your Invention Like You Were Presenting on SHARK TANK!
  • Is Your Product Ready? 
  • Is Your Pitch Ready?
  • How Does It Stack UP to the Competition?
  • AND BEWARE:  The Marketplace is even TOUGHER than Shark Tank!
How to Manufacture and Market your Invention with Minnetonka Labs
Learn HOW Minnesota-based Minnetonka Labs can help you manufacture and market your invention. Minnetonka Labs is a partnership of 2 high-school buddies: Tom Venable (THE SALES/MARKETING GUY) and Gene O’Brien (THE ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING GUY).  At Minnetonka Labs, Gene and Tom combine their engineering/manufacturing and sales/marketing/biz startup experience and expertise to help inventors like you to move your Product from IDEA TO MARKET. They will give you a FREE assessment of your product and market potential. And if the potential is there, they will even work at no cost to design/develop/prototype and market your product in exchange for a small share of revenue or equity.  They have had plenty of success in their careers and want to share it and see you succeed as well.
Keys to Successful Crowd Funding ZOOM Meeting

JAN 20th, 2021: Join Us and Learn 6PM to 7:30PM

  • WHAT you need to know about Crowdfunding.
  • HOW to structure a successful Crowdfunding campaign.
  • What to DO, and What NOT to do.
  • Learn WHY most Crowdfunding campaigns fail to achieve their goal
  • and WHAT you can do to increase your chances of success.
HOW To Make Your Invention Ideas BIGGER & Increase Your Success Finding Funding
David RussickDAVID RUSSICK
We Learned KEY TIPS AND STEPS every inventor should know about Funding and Developing their invention. Hear David Russick share how he developed TWO big entrepreneurial invention startups and discuss the problems he had to overcome to drive success.  ALSO, in his current role as an ANGEL INVESTOR, David will discuss WHAT investors need to know to evaluate inventions/startups for funding.  
 
 
DEVELOPING YOUR INVENTION
•            The TOP 5-7 things David Learned from Developing/Starting TUBS and BAGSTER
•            WHAT Milestones/Check Points you Need to Consider in Developing ANY Product Idea 
•            HOW to Increase Your Success in DEVELOPING Your Idea:  From traditional development buckets such as Prototyping / Design / Manufacturing / Sales; and New Frameworks/Processes/Sequencing Steps/Ideas
 
 
 
 
FUNDING YOUR INVENTION
•            How David Found Funding for TUBS and BAGSTER
•            WHAT Investors Need to Know to Consider Your Invention/Startup
•            HOW to Reach out to Investors
Learn Why the Toy Category can be Huge for Inventors like YOU
 
October 21st- 6PM- Zoom Webinar
 
LEARN
  • WHY Toy Marketers are always eager to License new products from Inventors
  • And WHY Toy Marketers are especially interested in working with Solo Inventors
  • HOW new Design and Manufacturing processes help startups get to market faster
  • HOW to market your Toy Inventions to major Toy Marketers throughout the toy industry
Learn Why Every Successful Inventor Must Become an "Idea Factory"
Learn WHY every successful inventor needs to come up with a lot of ideas. And WHY you must focus this creativity by targeting companies that are looking for ideas. Inventing is a numbers game, and in this webinar, repeat inventor and expert Licensing Coach Stephen Key will show how you can increase your odds of success every time! Also, learn why licensing is the best route for most invention ideas and how to take action today. Learn how to make your campaign look polished and learn what you need to promote your invention.
 

 

 
 
 
 
AUG 19: Learn How to Develop & Sell Your Invention on Amazon
ZOOM Video Conference on Wednesday, August 19th, 6:00-7:30 PM
 
Dennis Clayton, inventor and developer of the Stow-n-Spin shelf storage products, will share how he got the idea and what it took to get it made and selling successfully on Amazon and other venues.
 
LEARN:
• How to turn a simple PROBLEM into a BIG IDEA
• How to EVALUATE your idea from the users’ perspective
• How to build a low-cost PROTOTYPE to “Prove Your Concept”
• Where to SOURCE manufacturers and warehouse/order fulfillment partners
• How and Why Amazon might be the right online channel to SELL your own invention
 
July 15th: Learn How to Patent and Trademark Your Inventions from and EXPERT
 
COME AND LEARN: Andrea Hence Evans, a former US Patent Examiner and a former US Trademark Examining Attorney for the United States Patent and Trademark Office, will share WHAT inventors need to know about Intellectual Property rights.
Request the link to this event by emailing: info@inventorsnetwork.org
LEARN
• How and Why to Apply for a PROVISIONAL PATENT
• How PATENTS are Reviewed and Evaluated
• How TRADEMARKS are Reviewed and Evaluated
• Why and When to use Copyrights
• What 3 Things every Inventor must know about Maintaining INTELECTUAL PROPERTY
 
 
June 17th Webinar: Learn How to Sell & License Your New Product to Retailers & Marketers 

Rita Compton, a retail product sales expert, with multiple-years direct experience working with Inventors and helping them sell and/or license their products to Retailers and Marketers, will share with you how to increase your chances of success in selling your product. She will use the upcoming National Hardware Show as an example of how to reach and sell to potential buyers and licensors.

 
 
May 20th, Webinar DRIVE PRODUCT SALES WITH PR AND SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS YOU CAN AFFORD
May 20th, Webinar
Andrea Poss
Andrea Pass, a highly successful PR expert, skilled in building brand and product awareness; and Brian Scanlon, a serial business founder, with a real track record leveraging affordable Social Media, will show Entrepreneurs and Inventor/Startups how to use PR and Social media to kickstart and grow their product sales and brand/product awareness.
PROGRAM:  Question/Answer Presentation, answering questions you can enter live during the Zoom Webinar.
April 15th Webinar: Finding & Approaching Licensee Candidates

Click here to request a copy of the presentation. 

Presenter:  Jahn Stopperan
Location:  Remote Access
 
The recent additional time at home is an excellent time to prepare for approaching licensee candidates with your invention when things pick back up.  However, many inventors need assistance in the first couple steps in this process.
 
This webinar presents a simple and no-cost process to initiate contact with manufacturers that may be interested in your product.  Grab a pen and take notes – we’ll be covering several hands-on and practical techniques that can help you get going.
Interview with Larry Mahoney, Asia Direct Resource for Inventors Network
I had the opportunity to interview Larry Mahoney as he was designated to speak at Inventors Network this week, though this meeting is postponed. We had a few minutes to catch up on "all things China" that he will be speaking further on in April. I hope you can join us then - either in person or online - and that we will be back with in person meetings! From today's news (March 16, 2020) it looks quite possible we will just have to have a longer online interview.
 
By Marj Weir, Inventor of EzLightWraps.com
 
Feb 19th: Prototyping: Beyond 3D Printing
  Keynote Speaker: Gus Brieland, Senior Technical Sales Engineer at Proto Labs
 
  Keynote will be followed by our round table session where people can network with industry experts on subjects such as:
 
  LEARN NEW TRENDS IN PROTOYPING AND MAKING SMALL PRODUCTION QUANTITIES
 
 
COME AND LEARN:  New Trends and WHAT’S NEXT in Prototyping using 3D Printing, Injection Molding and CNC Cutting/Stamping.  AND LOW-VOLUME PRODUCTION technologies. The speaker, Gus Breiland, is a Sr. Technical Sales Engineer at Protolabs – one of the premier digital manufacturing companies in the world today.
Gus will be sharing exciting information for inventors on both prototyping and producing low-volume production quantities materials ranging from rigid plastics, thermoplastics, metals, and flexible elastomer plastics (such as silicone).
 
LEARN ABOUT:
  1. Injection Molding for Prototypes
  2. 3D-printed components from Direct Metal Laser Sintering to Multi-Jet Fusion
  3. Injection Molding for Low-volume Production Parts & On-Demand Production
  4. Prototype end-use Injection-Molded Plastic Parts
  5. Sheet Metal Components & Sheet Metal Design
  6. CNC Machined Prototype and Production Parts
 
SPEAKER:  Gus Breiland background includes over 20 years of engineering/industrial design experience, including 14 years at Protolabs.
While his formal education is in industrial machinery operations, he has extensive knowledge and experience in both traditional and advanced manufacturing processes and materials. Throughout his tenure at Protolabs, Breiland has worked with countless designers, engineers and product developers to improve the manufacturability of their parts.
 
 
 
JAN 15: Learn Smart Tools That Will Help You Successfully Market Your Inventions
 
COME & LEARN from Sam Shuster, serial Business Startup entrepreneur, with real-world experience developing and marketing inventions.  Learn how to be more successful with YOUR MARKETING YOUR INVENTION. Sam will present:
•       THREE Things that can help increase your odds of success.
•       WHAT not to do, even though it seems right
•       WHY you have to have a plan
•       WHY a plan drives success at each step in developing your idea.
COME & LEARN: How to Sell Your Products on Amazon
Dec 12, 2019
Fred Skelnar, Director of Design Experience at Abstrategy Design, and IN Member, spoke on how to sell your products on Amazon.
LEARN:
• WHY you should use Amazon to sell your product first
• WHAT you need to know about Amazon
• HOW to find the detail information you need to post, sell and fulfill products
• HOW to FIND 3rd Party contractors to help in launching, fulfilling/shipping and invoicing your product
 
Exciting Session with Marc Portney
Dec 12, 2019

We Have 17 Presentations and are Now Full!  Join us for an exciting night !

A select handful of applicants have been given the opportunity for November 20th (6:00 p.m.) to present their new product idea on the auditorium stage to Marc Portney and his team. If they see an idea that they like, they may license it (much like Lambert and Lambert) and produce the product themselves or will give presenters valuable feedback to help improve the product.  Additionally, Marc will open with a session for all attendees on how to have a conversation with deal makers about your idea. 

Marc has a reputation for delivering new and innovative products to the Home Shopping Network (HSN) and All-American Makers on The Science Channel. Getting a product on a national market such as HSN is a dream for most entrepreneurs, so this is your opportunity to expose your product to millions of customers looking to buy.

 

October 16th Workshop
Sep 23, 2019
Members and guests for our October meeting will be given the opportunity to drill down into their particular interest areas and interact in a workshop setting.  The evening will still start with a session where we will identify the main differences between licensing an invention and forming a company to make and market it. 
 
The program will begin with a comparison of the two routes and what you should consider before deciding the best course.  Then our guests can participate in one of the offered round-table workshops.
Learn the Hows & Whys of Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights & Trade Secrets
 
Jul 25, 2019
Who should attend:
  • Product Inventors
  • New Product Innovators/Entrepreneurs
  • New Business Startups
When: August 21, 6:00-8:00PM ((Networking 5:30-6:00 and 8:00-8:30)
Where: 1001 HWY 7, Eisenhower Community Center (Just West of HWY 169), Hopkins MN 55305
Cost: Members FREE. Visitors $15. (Cash/Check/CC at meeting)
 
Come and Learn: Learn what Intellectual Property (IP) Protection is available to project what makes your invention unique.  Bill Berggren, former IP Attorney and 3M Engineer, will present key information you need to consider when applying for Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Trade Secrets
 
Learn:
1. Utility Patents, Design Patents and Provisional Patents:
  • WHAT these each protect and do not protect.
  • WHEN to Obtain each and when is too late.  
  • HOW is each is REVIEWED and APPROVED.
  • WHAT is the Cost of each.
  • WHAT You Need to Know About Recent Patent Law Changes
 
2. Trademarks, Copyrights and Trade Secrets.
  • WHY Use TRADEMARKS and COPYRIGHTS in IP
  • WHY Use TRADE SECRETS in IP
  • WHEN and HOW to use each of these
  • HOW to Apply for TRADEMARKS, COPPYRIGHTS
  • HOW to Establish and Protect IP for TRADE SECRETS
What's New in 3D Printing & CAD Design for Prototypes & Small-Batch Production
May 23, 2019
Who should attend:
  • Product Inventors
  • New Product Innovators/Entrepreneurs
  • New Business Startups
When: July 17, 6:00-8:00PM ((Networking 5:30-6:00 and 8:00-8:30)
Where: 1001 HWY 7, Eisenhower Community Center (Just West of HWY 169), Hopkins MN 55305
Cost: Members FREE. Visitors $15. Click here to prepay online. (or Cash/Check/CC at meeting)
 
SPEAKER #1:  Travis White

COME AND LEARN: Prototype engineer, mechanical designer and inventor, will explain the benefits of working with professional CAD and Prototype Designers in the invention process.  Share WHAT’S NEW and WHAT’S NEXT for CAD technologies

  • WHAT’S new in CAD technologies and Trends
  • WHERE to FIND potential Designers for your team
  • HOW to EVALUATE and SELECT the right Designer
  • WHY you need to clearly define the scope of your project
  • HOW to MANAGE Solidworks/CAD designers to get what you need for your project 
SPEAKER #2:  Tyler Pope
COME AND LEARN:  Highly experienced 3D Printing expert in 3D Prototyping. Tyler Pope, will share how you can make your next Protype cheaper and faster using 3D Printing technologies.  LEARN:
  • WHAT’S NEW in 3D Prototyping/Additive Printing
  • HOW to maximize 3D Printing for your next Prototype
  • WHY 3D Printing can delivery your prototypes cheaper/faster
  • WHICH types of 3D Printing are right for you
  • HOW you can use 3D Printing for Small-Batch production runs
Learn How to License to Manufacturers
SPEAKER #1:  Ron Johansson
COME AND LEARN:  How to EVALUATE Your Ideas BEFORE you spend money on Prototyping or Patenting.   Ron spent his career participating/leading product design/evaluation and leading engineering and product development teams at 3M.  Including New Product Development. Ron will present a “Flow Chart” of steps to Protect your Intellectual Property, while minimizing costs.
LEARN:
  1. Ways to improve/develop your invention/idea
  2. HOW to EVALUATE Your Idea BEFORE spending money
  3. CRITERIA to EVALUATE to move ahead or set your ideas aside and work on other ideas
  4. WHAT Actions to take before filing a Provisional Patent Application (PPA)
  5. WHAT Actions to take before applying for Utility patent application
 
SPEAKER #2:  Atul Patel
COME AND LEARN:   Atul Patel, a product manager and former engineer who has handled licensing of numerous external inventor ideas, will share his experience  on the best ways inventors can present and approach companies with their licensing invention ideas.
LEARN:
  1. HOW and WHY companies decide to license outside invention
  2. HOW to make your initial and follow up contacts work better to improve your chances
  3. HOW your idea will be evaluated and considered internally
  4. WHY your invention will need to support a much higher retail price than you think: The COST Realities of manufacturers.
  5. WHY even the best product ideas may never be produced through licensing
Licensing & Selling Your Product Ideas
 
May 01, 2019
Come and Learn:
Trevor Lambert, is the founder and CEO of an invention licensing agency and a product design firm, and will share his process of evaluating new products. He will also present the cost-effective ways his companies have been able to land license deals for inventors.  Not only is Trevor the licensor of products generating multi-million unit sales at all major retail stores and online e-tailers such as Amazon, he is also launching his new manufacturing and distribution business in 2019, starting with a funded new project on Kickstarter and several other innovative items.  
 
Learn:
  • WHAT Licensors are looking for in product ideas
  • HOW Licensors evaluate your product idea
  • HOW companies like Lambert and Lambert or Enhance Product Development can help you succeed
  • WHAT you can do to develop product ideas that increase your chances of success
Jahn Stopperan

jstopperan@dginnovationsllc.com

April 17th, 2019 Meeting

COME AND LEARN: Inventor, Entrepreneur, and NPD consultant, Jahn Stopperan, will share his experience utilizing several international freelance networks that enable inventors to obtain professional services at a remarkably low cost. Jahn has utilized freelancers for electronic design, technical animated video creation, brochure/collateral design, tradeshow branding, website design, audio commercial spots, illustrations, retail packaging design, proofreading, 3-D mechanical design and other areas.
Learn:
1. How to access and utilize several leading online freelancer sites
2. What to expect the freelancers to provide
3. How to write and post your project
4. How to negotiate the cost and what is included in the project

Jahn will provide hands-on examples and show you how you can utilize these online networks to greatly assist developing and introducing products on limited budgets.

 

Request a Copy of Presentation >>

Jeff Missling
March 20, 2019 Meeting
 
COME AND LEARN: How BIZ STARTUP entrepreneur Jeff Missling founded SpineThera – a medical drug company in 2012. During this time, he has focused on designing/refining and developing his own sustained-release, injectable drug product. Before founding SpineThera, Jeff spent 12 years in the Medical Device industry. Accomplishments included leading the development of a steroid implant licensed to Merck for $40M.
Learn:
1. HOW to Identify angel investors and develop investor profiles
2. How to start/build a company to sell your invention
3. How to create/manage your products’ IP
4. How to get FDA (Food/Drug Administration) product approvals – for medical device products
5. HOW to Manage your company valuation with an exit in mind
 
Patrick Donohue

pd@investyr.com

January 16, 2019 Meeting

COME AND LEARN:   Small Business Owners and Biz Startups struggle to Pitch Products to Customers and Investors.  Learn what you need to WRITE smarter Product Sales and Funding Pitches

  1. WHY Small Businesses and Startups fail to get Funding
  2. HOW increase the odds of fundraising success
  3. WHAT Investors and Customers are Looking For
  4. HOW to Write Compelling Copy for Social Media and Investor Pitches
Rick Busch
January 16, 2019 Meeting
 

COME AND LEARN:  How to Create/Produce PRODUCT VIDEOS for Product Demos, Websites and Investor/Funding Pitches.  Get Professional/Expert Tips on how to make PROP/SHOOT with a SMARTPHONE.

  1. HOW to Shoot Product Videos with a Smartphone
  2. WHAT/HOW to Script
  3. WHY/HOW to Edit
  4. WHAT about Music/Audio
 
Request Copy of Presentation >>
Josh Malone

November 14, 2018 Meeting

Come and Learn: Josh Malone, inventor of the enormously successful Bunch O Balloons, will share his amazing story of successes and obstacles on his journey to invention success. Having now sold over a billion balloons, Josh has achieved tremendous success. But to get there he had to overcome many roadblocks. – including the United State Patent Office.  Tonight he will share how he got there - the true process of fund raising, product development, licensing, and marketing a new product today. He will also share the hard realities of getting and defending a patent. Josh will share:

  1. Creating and Developing His Invention
  2. Running an Extraordinary Kick-Starter Campaign – Raising More than ONE MILLION DOLLARS
  3. Solving Production Hurdles
  4. Confronting Competitor Knock-Offs of His Product – Leading to Expensive Legal Battles
  5. AND Overcoming the Ultimate Challenges of Defending His Invention with the United States Patent Office PATENT TRIAL APPEAL BOARD (PTAB)

This is a MUST hear story.  Josh’s true story is a reality check for inventors and product developers.  His story is not his alone but provides us invaluable insight to the challenges of property rights protection in today’s world.  Attend and become informed!

Request for Copy of Presentation >>

Stephen Key
October 17, 2018 Meeting
 
Come and Learn:  You do not need to start a business to launch your ideas for new products. Let One Simple Idea author and 2018-2019 AAAS- Lemelson Invention Ambassador Stephen Key show you how to get to market without a patent, a prototype, or even a business plan. Learn why licensing is the best route for most invention ideas and how to take action today. HOW to make your campaign look polished and what you need to promote.
 
  1. HOW to select potential Licensing companies for your product idea
  2. WHAT you need to present your Product idea to Licensors
  3. HOW Licensors evaluate your product idea
  4. HOW to negotiate / WHAT to ask for
  5. HOW InventRight can HELP
Andrew Kitzenberg

September 19, 2018 Meeting

Come and Learn: Entrepreneur Andrew Kitzenberg has run 2 successful Kickstarter campaigns and 1 on Indiegogo. In this process, he has learned firsthand what works, what doesn’t, and what first-time fund raisers need to do to increase their chances of success.

  1. HOW to make your campaign look polished and what you need to promote.
  2. HOW to find potential supporters and what marketing strategies you need to convert them.
  3. HOW to create images/video content that gives visitors a clear and compelling idea of your product and campaign.
  4. WHAT you need for your PR strategy and your PR.
  5. HOW to keep your campaign churning from start to finish. Most campaigns raise 1/3 of the funds in the first week and 1/3 of their funds in the last week.
  6. WHAT you need to do to run a six-figure campaign.
  7. WHAT the next steps are once you’ve successfully funded your campaign.

BONUS:

  1. Andrew will also share What-You-Need-to-Know to do to get your product made overseas once you are funded.
Natalie Heckert
August 15, 2018 Meeting
 
COME & LEARN: Successful Inventor & Biz Startup entrepreneur Natalie Heckert will share how she developed a breakthrough fitness/training system. As the CEO of NATS (Nutrition & Aerobic Training Service), and with more than 20 years for a custom training and 1:1 coaching programs, Natalie developed the idea for the CLUB E-FIT SYSTEM. After finding engineers, prototypers and manufacturers, she produced her first product. Then built a successful eCommerce platform and a local “product-advocate-network” to build awareness/recommendations.
 

Learn HOW Natalie:

  • Developed Her Idea
  • Built Prototypes with Recycled Plastic (HOW & WHO)
  • Found U.S. Manufacturers (FINAL INJECTION MOLD DETAILS/COSTS)
  • Built eCommerce ONLINE sales platform traffic via ONLINE INFOMERCIALS
  • Created her own INFOMERCIALS to market her product (HOW)
  • Established a national network of local Fitness/Trainers who served as Expert Advocates, recommending the CLUB E-FIT SYSTEM to their clients (Learn HOW Natalie did this!)
  • Inspired target users with a “powerful product story”
Carrie Jeske
July 18, 2018 Meeting and February 15, 2107 Meeting
 
Learn how to identify winning product concepts:
  • Deal or Dud? Learn to Spot the Next Big Product Idea
  • Licensing Agreement Fundamentals
  • Prototypes & Demo Videos That Sell Ideas “As Seen On TV”
  • Understanding Distribution Channels for Consumer Products

    Learn how to pitch your product idea: See Live  ASOTV Inventor Competition:

  • See 6-8 Inventors pitch their product idea
  • Each Inventor has 5 minutes to sell ASOTV Expert Carrie Jeske that their invention has ASOTV potential
  • Watch judges evaluate each product idea
  • See who WINS the pitch competition

Additionally, you will learn the Carrie Jeske / Will It Launch FREE Inventor Program:

  1. Get FREE Expert Panel Concept Assessment to Screen/Evaluate Concepts that Fit Will It Launch Model
  2. If Accepted, Get FREE Market Research to validate market potential
  3. If Selected/Approved, Will It Launch Pays ALL product development costs, that includes:
  • Product Design/Tooling/Packaging/Manufacturing
  • Product Marketing/Sell-In/Retail Distribution
Carrie and Will It Launch can do all this at lightning speed. 
 
Warren Tuttle
June 20, 2018 Meeting
 
COME AND LEARN:
Warren Tuttle is dedicated to connecting independent inventors with large corporations. He works to identify and evaluate innovation for a large consumer product company and as President of the United Inventors Association (http://www.uiausa.org/about-the-uia). He speaks regularly around the country on licensing and open innovation opportunities at inventor clubs, industry trade shows, and also has spoken at United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) events.
LEARN:
  1. How to increase the chances of licensing your invention
  2. How to “Present” your idea to companies and Licensees
  3. Smart ways to meet prospective Licensees
  4. How to work with those that run open innovation programs, like him
  5. How you can attend and present at Trade Shows such as the National Hardware Show
  6. Other product launch opportunities such as Quirky, Grommet, Crowdfunding, and Using a Booth at Trade Shows
 
Louis Foreman

May 16, 2018 Meeting

Come and Learn:  Louis Foreman, a highly noted Speaker, successful Inventor and Company Founder. Current CEO of Edison Nation, dedicated to helping independent inventors develop and market their ideas.

Louis will show YOU:

  1. WHY it’s EASY to Get Ideas
  2. WHY it’s DIFFICULT to Make Money on Ideas
  3. How to EVALUATE your IDEA
  4. ACTION STEPS that will Put You on the SUCCESS PATH
  5. FIVE QUESTIONS to Answer BEFORE You Start Spending Money
  6. HOW to ANSWER Those 5 Questions on EVERY INVENTION!
Walt Johnson

wjohnson@hclib.org

April 18, 2018 Meeting

Come and Learn: Learn about patenting your invention.  Learn about FREE local workshops and resources that provide patent expertise, information and database access that EVERY Inventor needs.  LEARN ABOUT:

MINNEAPOLIS CENTRAL LIBRARY (MCL)-PATENT TRADEMARK RESOURCE CENTER
  • LEARN How you can Do Initial Online Patent Searches
  • LEARN How to Use FREE MCL Patent/Trademark Data Bases
  • LEARN About FREE Patent/Trademark Workshops Available at MCL
Mort Harris

March 21, 2018 Meeting

Come and Learn: Mort Harris, Certified Counselor and Past Chairman of SCORE will share how SCORE can help you understand the BUSINESS side of Inventing:

  • How to EVALUATE your IDEA
    • How LARGE is the MARKET for your idea?
    • Can you make a PROFIT with your INVENTION?
    • How to Predict Costs / Forecast Sales and Find Manufacturers
    • Should you LICENSE or SELL yourself
    • How to get your product in front of SALESPEOPLE and retail (or B2B) BUYERS

  • How SCORE can also provide you with Business Workshops, Webinars, Online Templates/Worksheets, Mentoring and Expert Evaluations to help INVENTORS and BUSINESS STARTUPS and BUSINESS OWNERS increase business skills, knowledge and insights.

Deb Hess

deb@uiausa.org

February 21, 2018 Meeting

Come and Learn: Deb Hess, with the United Inventors Association, and former MN Inventors Congress Director, will tap into her wealth of experience and expertise working with Inventors to share how you
can increase your odds of success. You will learn:

1. The KEY Steps to get your product to the Marketplace

2. HOW to Identify and Validate Key Resources that you will need

3. INVEST your Time and Money on WHAT is Absolutely Necessary to Succeed

Gary Braley

January 17, 2018 Meeting

Come and Learn: Gary Braley, noted Speaker and Technology-Trend expert will present how New Evolving and Breakthrough Technologies/Trends will shape Invention opportunities for you.

1. NEW Money Exchange Systems Will REVOLUTIONIZE How Inventors SELL Their Products:

  • New approaches will affect everyone from individuals to businesses and banks

  • The evolution includes new ways to exchange money as well as new types of currency

2. NEW Internet of Things Connectivity Will Drive NEW TECHNOLOGY Applications FOR INVENTORS:

  • New Connectivity technologies will finally connect electronic devices/products across categories and platforms

  • Cybersecurity will become more critical due to the plethora of gadgets and the lack of security talent and awareness

3. BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY Will Change HOW INVENTORS Invent:

  • A worldwide network of rapid and secure ledger transaction recording will do much more than manage Bitcoin

  • Entire business models could be upended as major companies enter the fray

Alan Beckley

alan-beckley@msn.com

December 20, 2017 Meeting

Come and Learn: Alan Beckley, highly successful inventor of the Wonder Wallet will share HIS Not-So-Overnight Success Story. Alan will talk about how he overcame the problems and challenges that all Inventors face in developing and monetizing product ideas.

Learn how this HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL FIRST-TIME INVENTOR:

  • Struggled to develop his idea while working as a telecom project manager
  • Dealt with rejection after rejection to license his idea
  • Pivoted to selling Savvy Caddy Wallets himself - anywhere and everywhere he could, at local/regional County fairs, Military bases, and VA hospitals. Eventually getting his product on QVC for 2 YEARS
  • Finally Licensed the Savvy Caddy Wallet to Allstar Products – a very successful licensing, marketing and ASOTV company
  • Renamed The Wonder Wallet, Alan’s product is now nationally distributed in over 10,000 retail stores, and also sold on HSN and online retail sites – With 1st Year sales of more than 1 Million Wallets!!

Plus, Alan will also share how he now helps other inventors to achieve success much more quickly than he did – with Blogs, Webinars, and Other Tools.

William Berggren
November 15, 2017 Meeting
 
(IN Members Discount: 100%)
 

Come and Learn: Learn what you need to do to increase your success in filing for patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets.

  • What Patents/IP protect
  • When Patents/IP are effective
  • How Patents/IP are acquired
  • How Patents/IP are defended
  • Recent changes in Patents/IP laws/scope
Iain McIntyre
November 15, 2017 Meeting

Come and Learn: Learn what you need to do to increase your success in filing for patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets.

  • What Patents/IP protect
  • When Patents/IP are effective
  • How Patents/IP are acquired
  • How Patents/IP are defended
  • Recent changes in Patents/IP laws/scope
Scott Simenson

scott.simenson@century.edu

August 16, 2017 Meeting

Come and Learn: Scott Simenson, Engineering & Fab Lab* Director at Century Community College, will share how you can use 3D Printing and other Digital Technologies to increase your ability to innovate product concepts and build prototypes. Scott will focus on how these tools can help you:

  • Integrate new technologies, such as Simulation, AI, Robotics and Automation, into your inventions and innovations
  • Build prototypes with greater speed/flexibility and lower cost with newer and faster 3D printing capacity - Especially at the FabLab
  • Increase awareness of technology breakthroughs impacting manufacturing
  • Leverage these technologies to expand “what is possible” to increase innovation success

Scott will present the case for why inventors and organizational leaders need to understand these new technologies. And how linking these information technologies with innovation and manufacturing can allow inventors to source components and products at lower costs and higher quality.

Justin Grammens

July 19, 2017 Meeting

Justin Grammens and Rodney Landers will share "The Landscape of IoT". The Internet of Things is not all about making everything connected - it's about making the RIGHT things connected. As an inventor you should be adding connectivity in to your product where it helps your customer.

The Speakers will cover the following:

  • Some of the latest numbers on the number of devices that are expected to be connected in the next 3-5 years

  • Decisions you should be considering around what is technically possible and what users will embrace

  • It's not secret that the world is becoming more connected. From cellular, to BLE to LoRa, wireless standards are disrupting the current landscape and every inventor of products in the coming years will need to embrace technology changes as they occur

Rolf Biernath

June 21, 2017 Meeting

Come and Learn: Rolf Biernath, Highly-Experienced 3M New Product Development Engineer and Scientist will share How and Why inventors need to leverage LEAN innovation principles in building and validating initial prototypes. He will also share how to design innovations to increase real value to the customer.

Key Topics:

  •   HOW you can use LEAN in developing your innovations
  •   WHY LEAN Prototypes vs Actual Mechanical Prototypes
  •   HOW LEAN can help you find your most passionate customers
  •   HOW LEAN lowers cost and speeds innovation
  •   HOW LEAN Prototypes help you get user feedback
Eric Polk

info@whiteboardps.com

May 17, 2017 Meeting

Come and Learn: Eric Polk, WhiteBoard Product Solutions, will share the process and methods the WhiteBoard team uses to select and create the right product concept that can be developed to succeed in the marketplace.  For more on WhiteBoard click: http://www.whiteboardps.com/ 

Key Topics Include:
- WhiteBoard Way:  WhiteBoard Process of Getting an Idea to Market
- WhiteBoard Facilities: The Tools WhiteBoard Uses
- WhiteBoard Initial Consultation:  How WhiteBoard Evaluates Moving Forward with Inventor Ideas/Concepts
- WhiteBoard Experience:  Examples WhiteBoard Inventor Projectsboth Good and Bad
- WhiteBoard Q&A 
 Speaker: Eric Polk is a Senior Industrial Designer at WhiteBoard. While at WhiteBoard Eric has worked with a broad list of clients such as:  Medtronic, Mattel, Arctic Cat, Ecolab, General Mills, Cybex, CyberPower.
Larry Mahoney
lmahoney_adr@yahoo.com
March 15, 2017 Meeting
 

Come and Learn: Learn how to have your product concept manufactured in Asia, by experienced Asian manufacturing sourcing pro, Larry Mahoney. Larry will present/share what you need to know and what you need to have to be successful.

Key subjects will include:
·  How to Identify the Right Asian Manufacturer

·  How to Evaluate Risks
·  What are the Costs
·  What You Need to Get Quotes: CAD Drawings/Specs
·  What are the Prototype Requirements
·  How you can Build the Least-Cost Molds and Tooling
·  Time-Lines and Payment Schedules
·  How to Monitor Production / Manage Quality
·  What to Do if the Products Don’t Meet Specs
·  The Costs/Logistics to Ship Products back to USA

Dan Baurceanu
January 18, 2017 Meeting
 

Come and Learn: Dan Baurceanu, Free-Lance Business Consultant, will share how to create a business plan that clearly lays out your assumptions, fixed/variable costs and margins. To help you maximize the profit of your New Product or New BizStartup.

Additionally, you will learn how to develop a business Startup plan for investors; How to increase investor interest and the potential for outside investor funding.

Key Topics Include:

  •  BIZ Plan Overview/Considerations
  •  Executive Summary
  •  Product / Competitors
  •  Marketing
  •  Team - W2s/1099s
  •  Financial Plan/Margins and Timelines
  •  Potential Challenges/Obstacles/Risks
  •  Key Success Metrics
Lindsay Sokolowski
November 16, 2016 Meeting
 

Come and Learn: Learn how to sell and market your product online. Lindsay "Soko" Sokolowski, Founder of startup Boottique.com, will share how she started with just an idea and built her online e-Commerce business from one product to a full line of sophisticated shoe storage, closet-organizing, and fashion accessories and recently landed a contract with QVC.

Learn how to market online:

• Build an e-commerce website
• Establish a Facebook business page
• Sell your products on Amazon
• Select/Expand the product mix
• Build followers, traffic and product sales

 
Dick Fisher

September 20, 2016 Meeting

Come and Learn: Dick Fisher, Chief Social Officer at e-Merge Online Marketing, will share ways to use Social Media to create traction with customers, consumers and investors. How grow your business and find new customers using Social Media. And how to do it cost efficiently.  

Key Topics Include:

  • What Social Media IS / What It ISN'T
  • Why It's Important
  • Why You Need It
  • Understanding Basic Strategies
  • Using Social Media Advertising
  • Measuring Results 
  • And more ...

Additionally, the event will be hosted by the JJ Hill Center, a nationally renowned research center focused on entrepreneurship.  You will a have a chance to learn about the resources that the JJ Hill Center has to offer entrepreneurs and inventors like you.

Paul Morinville

August 16, 2016 Meeting

Come and Learn: Learn how ten years of patent reform In Washington DC has weakened patent protection for inventors and emboldened multinational infringers. Inventor activist Paul Morinville will share what he and other inventor activists have done to stop further damage to inventor patent rights, and what you can do to help bring back strong patent rights - for you and all inventors who create the majority of American jobs.  

Learn:

  • What Congress and the Courts have done to weaken patent rights
  • Who is behind patent reform and why
  • How Inventor Activists like Paul Morinville stopped patent reforms and are strengthening patent rights
  • What inventors need to do to take our patents back
Don Debelak
July 19, 2016 Meeting
 

Come and Learn: Learn how to get your product invention from idea to market from serial expert consultant, Don Debelak. Learn tips and tools for: Product/Concept Evaluations, Prototyping, Patent Searches, Intellectual Property Protection, Identifying Target Markets; Market Introduction Plans, Sourcing Sales Reps, Sourcing Licensing Reps, and more... 

Learn How to:

  •  Get your product idea to market
  •  Protect your idea
  •  Build prototypes
  •  Sell or License your invention
Bob Albertson

June 21, 2016 Meeting

Come and Learn:  Get inventing tips and expertise from Serial Inventor, Bob Albertson. Hear real case studies. Learn about the processes Bob developed to invent new product ideas. With more than 250 patents, Bob has a wealth of experience and expertise to share. Come and learn from a proven successful inventor. In addition to answering your questions during the presentation, Bob will also stay afterwards to answer your specific questions and share more stories on his inventing experiences.

Learn How to:

  • Create Ideas
  • Build your prototypes
  • Find what the customer is looking for
  • Sell or License your invention
Mindy Bickel
May 17, 2016 Meeting
 

Come and Learn: How to apply for Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights - Direct from the source: The U.S. Patent Office. You will also learn about USPTO programs that can allow you to work without an attorney or have a volunteer attorney appointed by Legal Corp.  Speaker, Mindy Bickel (Associate Commissioner for Innovation Development), has over 25 years’ experience at U.S.P.T.O. with indepth Patent and Patent Application knowledge/expertise to share. 

Additionally, the event will be hosted by the JJ Hill Center, a nationally renowned research center focused on entrepreneurship.  You will a have a chance to learn about the resources that the JJ Hill Center has to offer entrepreneurs and inventors like you.

Mike Ryan
 
April 19, 2016 Meeting
 

Come and Learn: Steps that are necessary to turn your idea into a business that can make money. Business model strategies that can jump start your business growth. FREE assistance that the University of St Thomas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides to startup businesses.  Learn How to:

  • Increase sales
  • Attract new/more customers
  • Improve profitability

Also learn about other services/workshops available to you at the University St Thomas SBDC. Plus tips that expose myths on financing a new business.

Mike Du Mond
March 15, 2016 Meeting
 
Come and Learn: How to avoid innovation-traps that can slow you down, increase costs, and drain assets. How you can develop new ideas faster and easier. How you can prioritize and improve existing ideas.
Tyler Pope

February 16, 2016 Meeting

Come and Learn:  Why CAD files are as important as ever, no matter what kind of product you’re working on. CAD Files THE COMMON LANGUAGE between designers, engineers, prototypers, manufacturers, marketers, patent and copyright attorneys, packaging companies and everyone else in the product cycle.

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