Sell or license your invention idea or patent to a company or business. This is the first of two videos on the basic method for marketing your invention. This video explains the steps involved in developing your invention, finding a company that might buy your invention, and then pitching the idea to the company. There is more detailed information about selling your invention on my website at http://borgesrolle.com/inventionmark.... If you have any questions or comments, please post them in the comments section below.

See my FREE course on how to prepare a NDA (Confidentiality Agreement) which includes sample NDAs you can use: https://inventivelearninga37b.think...

Here is the second video which is on marketing your invention by creating a startup company:    • How to Sell Your Idea Directly to the...  

Here is a summary of what's involved in selling your invention to a company:
Preliminary step: Secure your patent rights in the idea/invention first file a patent application if possible BEFORE you attempt to sell the invention. If you don't have a patent application filed, then you'll need to have everyone sign a confidentiality agreement (including prospective companies).

1. Preparing the Idea or Invention for Demonstration:
Develop the idea to the point where it can be reliably demonstrated. Make a working prototype if possible and make that prototype as professional looking/working as possible. Use 3D printing if necessary. If it's a software invention, then develop it sufficiently that you can demo the software easily with the software performing smoothly and without glitches. The goal here is to make a prototype/demo that will blow people away! Make it as impressive as you can.

2. Identify the Companies You Want to Sell To:
Think about the sort of company that might be interested in purchasing or licensing your invention. If it's a physical product, then target manufacturers. If it's a software type product, then consider a service provider as a sales target. Use a business directory to target companies that match the companies you think might be interested. Search the database for companies that manufacture or sell similar products or services. You're more likely to have better success with a smaller local company, so search using location and number of employees. Google "business directory" and you'll find links to multiple websites and resources that can supply you with suitable lists of business which you can apply. Just get the contact information for the CEO or president or other key executives of the companies so you know who you have to contact.

3. Pitching your Invention for Sale to the Company:
This step is the hardest. The key here is to get in actual contact with the CEO, president or director of the company. You want to make a direct contact with the person who is "in charge" of the company. Avoid submitting the invention/idea to the "invention submission" department of the company and instead try to submit it directly to the "person in charge" of the company. A personal meeting is always best, so try to arrange a personal 1 on 1 meeting with the president/CEO of the company and give that person a demonstration of your invention. Presidents/CEOs are very busy, so make your presentation/talk/demo VERY quick and to the point (a few minutes at most). In the "sales business" this is called the elevator pitch a pitch which is so short and to the point that you can lay it all out in the time it takes to ride the elevator with someone.

Conclusion: It's not easy to do, but if you take a methodic approach, you can maximize the chances of selling your invention to a company. Make your demo as profession and "wow inducing" as possible and try hard to get a personal 1 on 1 meeting with the key decision maker in the company. Expect rejections but stay optimistic and enthusiastic.


About me: I’m Elias Borges and I’ve been practicing patent and intellectual property law in Toronto, Canada as a lawyer since 1989. I’m also a registered patent and trademark agent registered with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and the United States Patent and Trademark office. Ceck out my website at www.borgesrolle.com.