Know-How Exchange : Strategy

Bill,

It's not clear to me what you're offering.

My guess is that you're not looking to invest cash into these business, but rather that you'd like to obtain some "sweat equity."

Is this correct?

At first I was going to suggest that you simply start to attend some of the networking events where private investors, venture capitalists, and entrepreneurs get together. Much of the money that trades hands here as a result of these meeting goes exactly toward what you provide. Therefore, it makes sense that these are the entrepreneurs you want to see.

Thing is, most of these companies aren't "inventor" type product companies. Rather, they are service, software, and technology companies. If that's not what you want, then my idea's not so good. (And if it is good, then you could go to venture firms and make your pitch direct to them, too.)

You might also look for places (shows and events) where inventors showcase their products in an effort to find buyers. This could be fertile ground for you.

If you really want to field more calls than you care to, of course, you can always run a classified ad in your local paper's "Capital Available" section. Just state that you are willing to contribute your skills to a venture in exchange for a stake in the business. You will probably get a ton of calls, but most of these will be people with either bad ideas or no business sense. There might be one gem, however, that makes it worthwhile!

Probably not the answer you were looking for, but hopefully this gets the thought process moving a little.

Paul

I agree with Paul's first response about the networking places.

Also, you could try some of the networking groups, like Ryze. I have met a few people who were in startups at their happy hour events.

A guy named Guy Kawasaki has been making the rounds promoting a book called "The Art of the Start". The book is for entrepreneurs and talks about what it takes to start a business. If you happen to see a talk in your area, go to it, as it would likely be a good networking opportunity. And the guy is a great speaker, so it would be a good talk anyway.

Try some of the following places:

https://www.1000inventions.com/new/
https://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.inventors
https://www.asktheinventors.com/
https://www.baylisbrands.com
https://www.amherstlodge.com/games/reference/gameinvented.htm
https://www.thebis.org/
https://www.ecademy.com/
https://www.ebn.be/
https://www.inventorsalliance.com/newsandarticles.htm
https://www.frompatenttoprofit.com/
https://www.globalideasbank.org/
https://www.ideas21.co.uk/
https://www.acrologic.co.uk/if++
https://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/R/realdeal/Newifocus/ifocus/archiv...
https://www.innovateurs.com/
https://ecademy.com/module.php?mod=club&op=page&c=653
https://www.members.aol.com/mikinvent/info.htm
https://www.invent.org.uk/
https://www.invention-europe.com/?newlang=eng
https://www.inventionfind.com/
https://www.invention-help.com/
https://www.invention-marketing.co.uk/
https://www.patent.gov.uk/patent/howtoapply/ipromoters.htm
https://www.eere.energy.gov/inventions/IIPublications.htm
https://www.inventnet.com/
https://www.inventor.com/
https://www.inventored.org/
https://www.inventorhome.com/
https://www.inventorsdigest.com/

Wow ... the list goes on and on .. .lots of places to look for work :-)

Good Luck