Browsing Tag
inventors
32 posts
10 Tips for Landing a Product Licensing Deal
When you’ve got a great idea for a product, there’s an important decision to make right up front: Do you want to build a brand new company from the ground up in order to commercialize the product, or do you sign a product licensing deal with a preexisting company that already has the resources in...
3 Detroit Entrepreneurs Share Keys to Success on StartupNation Radio
On this week's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff talks to three Detroit entrepreneurs: Brad Baxter and Jacob Zuppke of AutoPets and Doug Schwartz of Detroit Wick and Trip Wipes. StartupNation exclusive discounts and savings on Dell products and accessories: Learn more here Tune in to the full StartupNation Radio show with Baxter, Zuppke and Schwartz...
Entrepreneurs Share Tips for Overcoming E-Commerce Product Launch Obstacles
With consumers spending more than ever online, it’s no wonder why so many entrepreneurs are joining e-commerce marketplaces in droves. Consumers around the world spent $900 billion at online retailers in 2020, according to report from the Mastercard Economics Institute. Up to 30% of that shift is expected to be permanent, too. This growth, regardless...
These Exemplary Shark Tank Entrepreneurs Share Their Success Stories on StartupNation Radio
On today's episode of StartupNation Radio, Jeff Sloan is joined by co-host, Matt Damman, owner and inventor of Walkie Chalk and CEO of Commando Lock. Damman is a lifelong entrepreneur and frequent StartupNation Radio show guest and co-host, who had the opportunity to pitch his product, Walkie Chalk, to the Sharks on "Shark Tank." Together,...
Why Tesla’s Open Source Patent Strategy Reinforces the Importance of Patenting
Elon Musk famously announced in an open letter in June of 2014 that Tesla would “not initiate patent lawsuits against anyone who, in good faith, wants to use our technology.” In Musk’s words, “Technology leadership is not defined by patents… but rather by the ability of a company to attract and motivate the world’s most...
WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Business Impact of University R&D (Episode 173)
Where do the big ideas come from around which startup businesses originate? Well, certainly from the entrepreneurial community at large, and of course within businesses themselves large and small. Another significant source? University research labs. The University of Michigan is the public university reporting the largest R&D expenditures in all fields. Tune in to this...
How to Pitch Like a Shark Tank Winner
During my 20 years in the window industry, I’ve dealt with countless and constant complaints from my customers about the inherent problems with traditional window screens. I was beginning to feel more like a screen replacement man than a salesman, and I decided that there must be a better way. In 2013, I set up...
7 Steps to Successfully Launch a Product
There are thousands of companies creating and promoting thousands of products in the global marketplace each year. You probably haven’t even heard of the vast majority—many of which failed on arrival. According to Harvard Business School research, 95 percent of new products fail in their first year. You may have a great, ground-breaking product idea,...
5 Intellectual Property Considerations Startups Oftentimes Overlook
Many contestants on ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank” answer “yes” when asked if they have a patent, illustrating that startups may generally appreciate the importance of filing a patent application early to protect their innovations. However, there are a variety of options available when developing a company’s strategy for protecting its Intellectual Property (IP). StartupNation...
Pet Plate Founder Renaldo Webb Shares a Behind-the-Scenes Look at His Shark Tank Experience
I’m the founder of Pet Plate, a fresh-cooked, human-grade pet food subscription service. We use only the freshest ingredients to make our veterinarian designed meals, and all of our meals are personalized for your pup based on their specific health needs. My business has grown quickly, and we’ve shipped over 10 million meals to pet...
So, You’ve Got an Incredible Invention… Now What?
It's taken weeks, months, maybe even years to conceptualize and perfect your extraordinary invention. You know it's a game-changer. Your creation is ready for the world, and you can't wait to unleash it. So, now what? The creative process is one thing; the business side is an entirely different animal. Don't worry. As an entrepreneur,...
7 Tips for Getting a Product on Shark Tank
Growing up in San Diego, California, I was unprepared for how mosquitos would impact my family’s quality of life when we relocated to South Florida. My young daughter and I were constantly suffering from mosquito bites and none of the post-bite treatments available on the market were effective. Determined to find a solution, I spent...
8 Steps for the Perfect Product Launch
You’ve created the killer product that will change the world. Now you need people to buy it. Top entrepreneurs and members of The Oracles share their tried-and-tested ways to build buzz so people buy from you and passionately spread the word for mega profits. StartupNation exclusive discounts and savings on Dell products and accessories: Learn more here...
A Typical Day in the Life of an Entrepreneur? There’s No Such Thing
The following is excerpted and reprinted from "Unleash the Girls: The Untold Story of the Invention of the Sports Bra and How It Changed the World (And Me)" by Lisa Lindahl with permission from EZL Enterprises. Someone asked me recently what my typical day was like when I was CEO of Jogbra Sports Bras. I had to laugh,...
5 Essentials of User Testing to Ensure a Successful Product
No matter how innovative, a product isn’t successful unless its users deem it so. This is why user testing is such an important part of the product development process. User testing is a method to validate an idea or the execution of a concept. Through user testing, customers experience your product and provide feedback that...
5 Steps to Plan a Product Testing Event
Whether your startup is re-launching a new version of an existing product or bringing a new invention to the market, consumer testing is a critical step in developing and perfecting your product. A product testing event gives your startup the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the usability and appeal of the product from potential...
5 Common Obstacles to Overcome When Launching a New Product
Launching a new, physical product is definitely challenging. You probably know there are a lot of obstacles to bringing a new product to market, but what are they exactly? And more importantly, how do you overcome them? In this article, I’ll share with you various ways to surpass the biggest obstacles in your path to...
Which 3 Types Of Patents Are Recognized by the USPTO?
If you have an idea for an invention, do you know what a patent is? How about the different types of patents? Patents protect the mechanisms, principles and components of an invention. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a patent for an invention is defined as “the grant of a property...
How to Determine if Your Product Idea is Business Worthy
Every new product or business starts with an idea. Hopefully, this idea will be the seed for success and given the proper care and maintenance to bloom. But how do entrepreneurs determine if their idea is worth taking to the next level? Coming up with a unique idea is one thing, but transforming that idea...
Start with a Purpose: Jules Pieri on Building Great Consumer Product Companies
Industrial-designer-turned-entrepreneur Jules Pieri co-founded product launch platform, The Grommet, in 2008. Over the past 11 years, Grommet has helped launch thousands of consumer products, including now-famous brands like SodaStream, FitBit and GoldieBlox. A former entrepreneur-in-residence at Harvard Business School, Pieri releases a new book later this month titled, “How We Make Stuff Now: Turn Ideas...