Resources
Links our members have found useful at every stage of the invention process.
Patents & Intellectual Property
- United States Patent and Trademark Office – federal agency for patent and trademark filing, searches and inventor resources
- IPWatchdog – news and commentary on patents, IP law and innovation policy
- legalCORPS – free patent legal help for qualifying inventors in MN, WI, IA, ND and SD
Inventor & Startup Organizations
- United Inventors Association – nonprofit offering free membership, inventor education and a national network of inventor groups
- Inventors Groups of America – monthly webinars, articles on commercializing, and companies looking for ideas
- SCORE Twin Cities – free business mentoring and workshops from experienced business leaders
- 1 Million Cups Eden Prairie – weekly event where local entrepreneurs present and get community feedback (1mcep.com)
- Small Emerging Group Companies (SEGC) – Twin Cities networking group for solopreneurs, with monthly expert speakers
Design, Manufacturing & Packaging
- Design-2-Part – trade shows connecting buyers with American contract manufacturers and suppliers
- Arrow Design Studio – affordable graphic design and web design
- Earmark Sourcing – prototyping, manufacturing and domestic/global sourcing help for inventors
- Virtual Packaging – digitally printed packaging prototypes, mockups and short-run cartons
- Opportunity Partners – Minnesota nonprofit offering contract packaging and assembly services
- UPrinting – online printing for business cards, flyers, labels and packaging