Inventions?

Question

I have a patent for an invention, how do I go about finding people to help back me and get me started.

Answer 1

Contact the Small Business Development Center (google search).

Answer 2

You need to write a bang up business plan and think of a business - how to sell your new product. If you can afford to - get yourself incorporated, get a lawyer and a CPA. Those are steps 1 and 2. You need to take a hard look at "will this product sell?" "How much does it cost me to produce it?" And "do I have the drive to start and run my own business?"
You can find Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists and Small Business Loans and Grants. Most Investors want to know Return on Investment - or partial ownership in return for the $ - shares of stock in your company. Never give away control. Always look at if it is in your best interest to do this - do you want someone else telling you how to operate and reaping part of your profits? Even if you decide to borrow from a bank, you will have to have a well written business plan with projected profit and loss and Break Even Analysis (which you will be guessing at, if not already operating your business - it just needs to be a realistic estimate) Get started by going to the small business administration website, or by contacting your local S.C.O.R.E. office (group of volunteer retired business owners who help new business owners get started - a great resource!).
Along the way, you will hear tons of bad advice/negative opinions - trust your gut instincts. If you know in your heart this is the next big idea - go after it!
There are a lot of people in your community who can help you. Never hand over your business plan to just anyone. There are lots of people who will try to eat your lunch if you let them. People will try to copy you - they are out there - so always protect yourself first. It's okay to grow slowly - get priorities straight and take it one step at a time. Get legal & tax protection by incorporating, Trademark your brand and watch your back.
It has taken me almost 2 years and I am just now starting to operate. I have built my company very very slowly and carefully. I wanted everything to be right and I had to work full time, raise my family, etc... while building my business. My name brand is going to be known nationally within months. I currently operate without a payroll - just so I can keep floating. My hard work is paying off, my product is being tested to receive a very exclusive award - which will guarantee my future sales and my future is bright.
There is software available for writing a good plan, but I couldn't afford it at the time and I wrote mine by hand after looking at fifty or so sample business plans for businesses similar to mine. The biggest piece of advice I could offer is take a hard look at how much it costs to produce your product - you have to put everything in there (supplies, equipment, payroll, insurance, legal and acct fees, operating expenses for your facility, shipping, etc...) and divide it by the number you think you can sell in a year. You need to double that figure for your "selling price", after adding in no less than 20% contingency (money set aside for the unforeseen expenses) for profit margin and If the selling price is too high - you need to figure out if this is worth moving forward.
Best Wishes - if you know your invention will sell and can be manufactured for a fair price, go for it!

Answer 3

It involves many factors and steps!