Business Venture -- Need Help

[MatrixmaN]

Ok. Here's the deal.

I have a problem.
I've had this idea in my head since about age 7. I've finally worked out all the bugs and carved the idea into a very applicable device that could be developed with todays technology. Tehnically it would be the ultimate peice of gaming and interactive computer hardware ever created. This may be a longshot but the idea in my head is perfectly feasable and with the correct funding it could be one of the biggest things to ever hit the interactive computing industry.

I'm not going to right out explain my idea in full detail because I don't trust people 1 bit but I have come asking for help on how to produce the idea. I know this is not the right place to ask these things since it's just a general computing forum but I know that alot of gamers and computer people like myself are actually very smart, technically inclined people.

A few questions I have go like this, answer if you can, any replies are welcome:

1. How would I go about producing, developing and manufacturing an idea when I havn't been fed with a silver spoon during my life?

2. Do I have to have a patent on it, how much do patents cost and what has to go into a patent in detail.

3. What sources of funding are there for people with little to no overhead to start a business, let alone maintain one until it grown into a production and marketing ready phase.

These are some of the questions on my mind at the moment but since I'm at work right now I can't type much more. I'll check for replies soon.

Thanks for any help. It's appreciated.

[tmx468]

When you have little with which to support a large loan, which you would no doubt need, then sometimes the best thing to do is to fully explain your plan, and when it is fully patented (VERY important) approach large electronics firms - it depends on whether you could develop and research the product from birth to release yourself or not..

[Vagabond]

Patent patent patent it

there are many gov. grants out ther for start up and small companies.. have to go looking i have only heard of them
Or go get a lone or after patent as tmx468 said talk to large corps.. also a good idea may be to get a lawyer involved will help with patent and talking with corps... and may know how to get money for you.. also look for investor capitalists (not sure where) if i can find a email i had a friend who bought and sold golf courses ill ask him
GL

[Knothead]

Hi, MatrixmaN!
Here's as much as I know on the subject...in the (non-capitalized) situation you're in, you will need to find an Investor, AKA Venture Capitalist, etc. You need venture capital.

I wish I could tell you how to find one of these guys, but when you do, they will want a detailed business plan, professional-looking, in a nice binder, like that.

Appearance is half the battle...keep the colors, flashy jazz to a minimum. Investors are a conservative bunch, and what you might think is wild and crazy and colorful and creative will absolutely send 'em packing. Keep it conservative and Professional.

Matter of fact, when you get it done, we can arrange for you to send me a copy, and I will gladly critique it for you.

This business plan should start out with an overview of your product: a description of what it is, what the benefit of it is to the end user, and why this benefit is so desirable. (Note: try not to be so technically precise that it puts people to sleep.)

Then, a projected plan on the developement needed...then the manufacturing requirements (you can talk about $$$ here, with column-type tables; money people will understand THIS part really well! )

Then, a distribution (sales) plan. THIS is the fall-down point with creative people, but ya gotta have it. Investors are NOT impressed with a product that nobody knows how to sell. This is the item just above the bottom line (which, again, is $$$). Have a solid plan to distribute this product.

There's more to it, also. You will likely run across investors who will demand 51% (or more) of the gross profit. You must decide if this is feasable to you.

In short, you want to demonstrate to a potential investor that you're sharp, professional, and you're gonna make them a mess of money, because you've got every angle of this covered, and are the next Bill Gates. Good luck!

[tmx468]

That is a very good layout Knot - listen to the man!!

[MatrixmaN]

I appreciate all the constructive input.

Thanks.

The thing about this is it has to be invented and developed. I have the full working idea in my mind but I know it would take at least 2-4 years to be developed then produced, manufactured and marketed.
The thing about this is it uses existing technology that we have to make totally new technology to use with what we currently have.

If people weren’t thieving bastards I'd love to explain the idea in detail. I'm actually just itching to really.
I was hoping to profit off of the idea since I thought of it myself, but I also don't wanna become a grumpy old business addict. I'm not that into business, I have no real desire to get into the business mainstream and compete with other companies and worry about being raped by capitalist pigs.

Really all I want to do is get this idea out, get it produced and developed so I as well as thousands of other people can benefit from using this technology. The concept is really quite simple and i'm REALLY surprised nobody has come out with it yet. That’s why I’m trying to jump on it. But I really don't want to stray from my multimedia development heritage. I love computer graphics more than business ventures and I don't want to leave that to create an invention that may be bought out right from under me.
The problem is I'm 19 right now. I have my whole life ahead of me to make decisions. I've already graduated from a business institute while majoring in multimedia. I have an associate’s degree in Multimedia Management and Development and I plan on going back to college for my bachelors to possibly make game graphics....

That’s why I don't want to stray to far from my main love but I also want to make a ****load of money, be rich and successful from a simple idea that people are too stupid/streamlined to think of on their own.

My main goal here is to sell my idea, make money off of my idea, and use my idea while still doing what I love the most. I just know if properly produced this technology has so many applications besides games (which I originally intended it for then broadened my thoughts) that it would revolutionize how computing is seen/used/done.

I'm so Fooking confused.....I have about a year to decide what I’m gonna do before I got back to college.

[thekingofpain]

MAKE SURE no one has the same idea or is already producing or has produced such an item or one thats similar or your efforts could go unrewarded---a friend invented the "Sock-mate" which allows you to keep your socks paired up when laundering (prevents missing sock syndrome at the same time) got the patent and all, spent $9000 total and when he showed it to me I told him I had seen a similar item advertised on TV of all places---needless to say he never has sold a single Sock-mate...

[MatrixmaN]

And there is no way in hell would I EVER give somebody 51% of my profits.....thats like giving them my idea, my company AND my money only leaving ME the INVENTOR as a partner....hell with that.

Heh.

[MatrixmaN]

I give up already.
Don't have the time in my life to make it but here's my idea for any venturing capitalists.
=================================================

Device Type: VR/3D Simulation gear.

Device Function: To be used for immersion purposes.


Device Details:

[Gear Attached]

1. Headset: The Headset is one of the primary sources of immersion. Think of it like this. If you have ever seen an IMAX movie you can clearly see how the screen is curved to a slight slant. By incorporating that perspective into this headset system it encompasses your peripheral vision to make you ONLY see the viewable area.

-- Headset Features --

Peripheral Perspective Lens: Curved to give a “Full” environmental view with no borders to break the perspective boundaries of the peripheral vision so you only see what on the display and nothing else. This would technically give you more area to see what you are doing and also leave room for programmers and designers to make 3-Dimensional interfaces to work in as well as being clearly applicable to today and tomorrow’s games.

“Key Bound” Sensor System: Takes control of where the mouse leaves off. This would take control of the X-Axis & Y-Axis of the mouse. For instance, if you have ever played Battlefield 1942 you would know that in a jeep for example you can move you head around the jeep and look from side to side. With the sensor system attached to certain places around the helmet/neck it “senses” the movement in the direction you turn and “binds” that to a key in the game, which would be the mouse. So if you turn your head, it emulates the function of moving the mouse side to side so when you see somebody moving their head while your riding in the jeep with them, you can realize that they really are moving their head and seeing everything exactly through the eyes of their character (NO MORE 2D FLAT SCREENS).

Optional Surround Sound: High Fidelity sound system that works with any existing hardware attached to the computer set in the sides of the helmet.

2. Gloves: These gloves would manipulate the functions of a computer mouse. The screen would give the user multiple options which can be programmed into the helmet to manipulate the screen in front of them. The software which could be hardwired into the helmet’s CPU can be installed on the base computer and be manipulated at will. By doing a quick motion in the air with your hand you can move the cursor, double click icons or even use an OSK (On Screen Keyboard) to emulate a hardware keyboard. There could also be the option to provide 2 cursors, 1 for each hand if so desired. This would emphasize multitasking.

3: Sensor Gel: Sensor Gel is a totally new invention innovative in its own right. As far as I know nothing like it has been created/developed/manufactured yet and by all means it should. This would increase immersive value tenfold. Let me explain in detail what I mean. By the term “Sensor Gel” I mean that within the gloves there would be a gel-like substance that can be contracted and expanded via software talking to hardware. With the help of programmers you will technically be able to feel what you are using. If you are playing a FPS for instance the programmers could calculate the size and weight of the weapon, the amount of kickback when fired, and any other physical variation that they can dream up. Sensor gel could be put into further, more costly but immersive use by making a body-suit of sorts where the expandable fabric encasing the gel would fit around the users’ body. This isn’t very applicable but it can be done if the gel itself is manufactured. This could simulate the feeling of impacts, vibrations and/or if technologically advanced enough emulate heat and cold.


This is the basic idea behind my invention. What do you think?

[Brainchild]

Hav you thought about contacting Invention Submission, they may be able to help.