[geeks] Developing an idea

[James Fogg]

> Let us suppose, fellow geeks, that you have just had an idea, which
has
> both significant likely commercial value and significant probable
> importance in the applicable field, but which you do not have the
> resources to develop yourself.  (Specifically, the field is disaster
> readiness, and without disclosing any technical details, the invention
> is a modular temporary cofferdam that could be erected very rapidly
and
> with much less labor than sandbag walls in the event of imminent
> flooding.)
>
> What should one's first steps be, and how would you go about finding a
> partner to develop it?


You are ahead of yourself.

Do a patent search first, you might be locked out.

No existing patent? Get one before anything else. Don't even talk to
your mother about your idea without a patent in hand.

This all can be done on the cheap, even by yourself with a good how-to
book. There are now websites that offer affordable patent searches.

Once you have a patent, you might be able to sell the rights and never
risk any of your own money. Otherwise, vulture capitalists are ready to
help you.