Inventors Association of New England IANE

Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Big Idea Roadshow in Manchester, NH June 22nd

"BIG’s Roadshow is a free nationwide search for innovative concepts in home and garden, office and storage, toys and kids’ products, tools, and kitchen and housewares. Inventors of all ages may attend the Roadshow to present ideas to a panel of industry experts. Panelists will evaluate ideas and offer the inventor helpful advice. In addition, BIG selects the most promising ideas to present to potential licensing partners. Roadshows are private, confidential sessions, and only the inventor, the inventor’s guest(s), and BIG panelists will see the inventor’s idea. "

The next roadshow is in
Manchester, NH, June 22, 2005

Big Idea Group
814 Elm St., Ste. 300Manchester, NH, 03101
Phone: (603) 641-5955
Fax: (603) 641-5995

For more information, see their website:
http://www.bigideagroup.net/Roadshow_EventCalendar.htm

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Eight-Year Old Wins Toy Invention Contest

From the Free Press:
May 17,2005 LaToya Mack

Eight-year-old Danielle Moulton gets to enjoy a new toy every month, but her parents aren't spoiling her. Danielle is reaping the rewards of her creativity.
Danielle, a 3rd-grader at Banks Elementary School, won Wild Planet Toys' Kid Inventor Challenge. The contest asks students to draw, name and describe their toy ideas.
Danielle won the contest with The Basketball Light, the concept of a basketball adorned with multi-colored lights.

Read more about this story by clicking on this link:

http://www.kinston.com/SiteProcessor.cfm?Template=/GlobalTemplates/Details.cfm&StoryID=27620&Section=Local

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Beware the Invention and Idea Submission Companies

Learn what to look out for

Read the fact sheet put out by the Federal Trade Commission regarding those late night invention promotion companies and how to take steps to avoid making costly mistakes:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/services/invent.htm



Another site, IP Watchdog will also give you the red flags

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/invent_idea_cos.html

Monday, May 16, 2005

Mom Inventors

in an article today about enterprising and inventor mothers titled:

Moms Making Millions -
The Newest Trend for Stay-at-Home Mommies isn’t Ditching
Your High Power Corporate Career to Change Diapers and Clean Toilets

here's an excerpt"

"Mom Inventors (www.mominventors.com) is a place where moms with great ideas can go for useful information and support in launching their own new products. Mom Inventors and ABC's Good Morning America are working together on the "Mother of all Inventions" contest. Moms can submit their ideas for a chance to win a $5000 cash grand prize and royalties from the marketing of their invention. Current Mom Inventor products include the ‘TP Saver’ and ‘Shoe Clues’. "

read the whole story at:
http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/5/emw239944.htm

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Wall Street Journal Article Monday May 9, 2005

The Journal Report: Small Business Section

You Have a Great Idea. Now What?

By GWENDOLYN BOUNDS
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
May 9, 2005


see the article by clicking on:
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB111515231361123624,00.html?mod=todays_us_the_journal_report

She describes the steps after an inventor has an idea. It appeared on the front page of the Small Business Section: The Journal Report.

Angel and VC groups in New England

This list was contributed by Bob Barton. Thanks!

here are a few descriptions and pointers to angel groups (some VC's too) for early stage companies . . .

Hub Angels Investment Group, LLC
http://www.hubangels.com/
Boston based Angel group

Angel Investor Forum
http://www.angelinvestorforum.com/
Connecticut-based group of angel investors.

Cherrystone Angel Group
http://cherrystoneangelgroup.com/
Rhode Island based angel investor group.

Walnut Venture Associates
www.walnutventures.com
Walnut Venture Associates is a Boston-based group that focuses on information-technology companies. Group members have been the founders of 20 companies and the CEOs of more than 20 companies, have invested in more than 225 private companies, and have been members of the boards of directors of more than 125 companies.
Sweet Spot:
Seed- and early-stage companies in New England only.
Prefer to have executive summaries sent to them via E-mail.
Average investment range:
$250,000 to $1,000,000
Number of angels/investors in the network: 16
Contact:info@walnutventures.com

Common Angels
www.commonangels.com
Named after the city's historic public meeting grounds, CommonAngels® is a group of 50 leading private investors and three dozen limited partners in our co-investment fund. Our members have founded, cofounded or run high-tech companies. Since 1998, we have worked closely with early stage software companies in the Northeast, funding 22 with over $25 million of our funds and $90 million from other investors.
Sweet Spot:
Early-stage software companies in the Northeast.
No-Go:
Prefer not to receive full business plans (or anything else for that matter) in hard copy.
Send executive summaries by E-mail instead.
Average investment range:
$500,000 to $2 million
Number of angels/investors in the network: 50
private investors; three dozen limited partners
Contact:
CommonAngels
James Geshwiler, Managing Director
One Cranberry Hill, Suite 6
Lexington, MA 02421781-274-9124
james@commonangels.com

Vermont Investors Forum Inc.
http://www.thinkvermont.com/financing/investors_forum.cfm
A nonprofit corporation that holds annual forums and introduces angel investors to early-stage Vermont businesses. At each forum, 10 to 12 small Vermont businesses are selected to present business plans. Forums may be attended by invitation only.
Sweet Spot:
Only invests in companies located in Vermont.
Average investment range:
$100,000 to $500,000
Number of angels/investors in the network: 600
Contact:
Vermont Investors Forum
Curt Carter
Department of Economic Development
National Life Building, Drawer 20
Montpelier, VT 05620
curt@thinkvermont.com
802-828-5233

Gould & Co.
No Web site
Invests in companies based in the Northeast, preferably in New England.
Sweet Spot:
Companies that are emerging into large markets.
Average investment range:
$100,000 to $2 million
Number of angels/investors in the network: 400+
Contact:
Gould & Co.
86 Front St.
Merrimack, NH 03054603-429-1631
gouldcapital@aol.com

Maine Angels
http://www.maineangels.org/
Maine Angels was formed in 2003, and typical angel/venture capital returns without industry restrictions. They prefer to invest in companies with beta-tested products or lead customers.
Sweet Spot:
Have a preference for companies closer to home but are open on a case-by-case basis to syndication or collaboration regionally and nationally.
Average investment range:
$100,000 to $2 million
Number of angels/investors in network: 12
Contact:
Submit executive summaries to applications@mailangels.org;
for general information e-mail info@maineangels.org.

Tri-State Private Investors Network
http://www.angelinvestorfunding.com/tristatepin.htm
In the past five years, Tri-State PIN members have invested in more than 50 start-up and early-stage companies. Businesses in which they have invested include Internet infrastructure software related to the gaming industry, mobile, wireless communication services for field service personnel, real estate, software, electronics manufacturing, microbreweries, theater, restaurants, and travel. Run by Ellen Sandles, founder and executive director, the group is based in New York.
Sweet Spot:
Early-stage companies from the Northeast through the Mid-Atlantic region.
No-Go:
Don't call or send snail mail. Send E-mail only, preferably straight from the website, where the application process is explained. Entrepreneurs who meet Tri-State PIN specifications are contacted by telephone; those who do not meet criteria are e-mailed an evaluation form with explanations, and if possible, recommendations to assist the entrepreneur.
Average investment range:
$500,000 to $2 million
Number of angels/investors in the network: 30
Contact:
For more information, please contact via the Tri-State PIN website, www.angelinvestorfunding.com

Silicon Garden Angels Investors Network
http://www.njangels.net/
Invest in companies along the East Coast, ranging from New Hampshire to Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and the Washington, DC area.
Average investment range:
$20,000 to $250,000
Number of angels/investors in the network: 100+
Contact:
Silicon Garden Angels & Investors Network
Dan Conley
32 Cedar Brook Dr.
Somerset, NJ 08873-2854
732-873-1955
njangelsnet@aol.com
angels@njangels.net

Tech Valley Angel Network
http://www.techvalleyangels.com/
(TVAN) TVAN angels invest in early-stage businesses in northeastern New York and adjacent western New England. Register and complete a business review form on the TVAN Web site for consideration.
Sweet Spot:
TVAN is interested in all types of businesses that demonstrate a good investment opportunity with a reasonable chance to succeed.
Average investment range:
$50,000 to $1 million
Number of angels/investors: 20+
Contact:
Tech Valley Angel Network
Rensselaer Technology Park
250 Jordan Road
Troy, NY 12180
518-283-5385
info@techvalleyangels.com

Inventor's Digest has free E-Newsletters

Sign up for a free E-Newsletter for inventors from Inventor's Digest.

Inventor's Digest is America's only inventor's magazine with advice, success stories, news and information of interest for all inventors.

www.inventorsdigest.com

Saturday, May 07, 2005

Inventor Humor from indiatimes.com

copied from:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1101666.cms


Inventor in the patent office
[ SATURDAY, MAY 07, 2005 12:39:01 AM]


An inventor goes to the patent office, sees the patent officer and says,
"I've got an invention; it's a folding bottle. I call it a fottle, get it?
Folding bottle - fottle."

"Very nice, sir," the patent officer says.
"Do you have any other inventions?"

"Yes, I do. I also have a folding carton; I call it a farton,"
replies the inventor.

"I'm sorry, sir," the officer says,
"but that is an inappropriate name; it's disgusting."

"Oh," groans the inventor,
"then I guess you wouldn't be interested in my folding bucket."

2005 Yankee Invention Expo Oct 6-8 Waterbury, CT

Mark your calendar. This year's Yankee Invention Exposition is held in Waterbury, CT on Thursday thru Saturday October 6 through 8, 2005. For more information about workshops, exhibitors, or product scouts, directions, etc. please see their site:

http://www.yankeeinventionexpo.org/expo.htm

Friday, May 06, 2005

Next Meeting Monday May 9, MIT Bldg #4 Rm 237

Monday's Meeting is at our regularly building, MIT Building #4, Room 237

Presenter: Joe Schappler, owner and President of Helix Design

You can get all the upcoming meeting info at:

www.inventne.org/meet.html

Thursday, May 05, 2005

Camp Invention for your Kids

Camp Invention is a week long summer enrichment day camp offered in your local elementary school for children in the second through sixth grades. Participating daily in five activity- oriented thematic modules, campers enhance their understanding of science, math, history, and the arts while having lots of fun. This exciting program invites children to let their imaginations run wild through teamwork, creative problem solving and inventive thinking.

For information, please check out their website:
http://www.invent.org/camp_invention/2_1_0_camp.asp

Big Idea Group Hunt Deadline 5/24/05

The May 24 deadline for our two Idea Hunts is coming up. Both Hunts offer you the chance to win merchandise prizes and licensing contracts.

For more information and entry forms, check out http://www.bigideahunts.net/index.html

*KIDS' FURNISHINGS AND DECO
Betesh is seeking innovative ideas for children's furniture and décor, especially for tween and teen bedrooms. Products should be inexpensive (retail for $5-$50) and work well in mass market.

* COMPU-DESK ORGANIZERS
Deflecto is seeking innovative ideas for desktop storage/organizers for electronic devices. The organizers should focus primarily on those electronic components (PDAs, cell phones, cords, etc.) that are located close to computers and frequently used by office or at-home workers. Deflecto is interested in units that could be purchased individually for under $20 but be connected or combined to create a complete desktop solution for electronic gadgets.