I have a million dollar idea regarding computer software that may very well solve one of the most pressing social problems America currently faces. Problem is…I am not a software developer, have no money to get the ball rolling, and I want to maintain some control over the product. What do I do?
2007-10-05 11:40:07 · 3 answers · asked by Lorena T 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
Is it a social problem the world faces? I ask this because I wonder if you're thinking too narrowly and it leads to something further in my answer.
With an 'idea' you are not in a good negotiating position. If on the other hand you can have a prototype, you can get IP rights and have a chance to make serious money.
If you're mathematically clever, some development software is very easy to use at least to work up a prototype. It depends how complex your idea is but there are programs like Visual Basic (there are probably easier ones to learn but this is fairly intuitive) that are fairly easy to learn particularly if you're not doing a 'database' or web interface. You can download a free version (which is very limited) from the web to at least get you started with some user screens. The full version is much more expensive (approaching $1000). A good book will cost you $50.
The other option is to look for starting software companies. There are plenty of good smart people particularly in lower paid countries that might be able to take on a share of your idea. Be prepared though for potential fraudsters and understand that your idea is maybe only 5% of the solution and you'd only be paid accordingly.
If you're prepared to invest a lot of time in defining requirements and the design phase, you may be able to convince a small local IT company to get behind you and work more as a 'partner' in the idea.
2007-10-05 12:25:58 · answer #1 · answered by Quandary 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it a social problem the world faces? I ask this because I wonder if you're thinking too narrowly and it leads to something further in my answer.
With an 'idea' you are not in a good negotiating position. If on the other hand you can have a prototype, you can get IP rights and have a chance to make serious money.
2015-08-09 23:15:53 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing you can do. You could conceivably patent your idea as a business method (if it is in fact patentable), but that will require a few thousand dollars, which you, by your own admission, don't have. So all you can do is to give your idea to someone who can run with it...
2007-10-05 13:11:26 · answer #3 · answered by NC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋