How do i sell an idea to microsoft

Conducting group testing, even amongst family and friends, is one great way. You also need to compile information about comparable and competing products--information on what is on the market, what is being promoted, and who is producing it. Do some authorized legwork and go so far as you possibly can to find out whether your invention is patentable or if it may be produced without the infringement of different filed patents.

A preliminary patent search on www. The additional data that you can possibly collect about patent regulatory points or mandatory authorized steps. Look into manufacturing in case your invention requires distinctive supplies or uncommon manufacturing methods. After you have gathered all related data, you will have to present it to potential licensors.

Your promotion sheet ought to be a one- or two-page doc that clearly states the issue, problem or the product specifications, the product's options and advantages, your product's market and the authorized standing of your invention i.

You also need to develop an introductory letter to accompany your promotion sheet, which introduces yourself, explains why you are contacting the licensee.

The next step is to find out essentially the most applicable contacts for the new enterprise alternative. As the first step, it is advisable that you just create a listing of no less than 50 potential targets. Finding the best contact requires contacting a great number of potential targets, and most firms will turn you down for one motive or another.

Be aware that additional targets can offer you more practical outcomes. This is an instance of trying to find firms that work with products that match your invention: In case your invention is a client merchandise, it is as simple as taking a trip to the city.

Go to a retailer where you would anticipate seeing your product bought and jot down the names of producers who produce comparable merchandise. You may be aware of many of those firms based on your prior market analysis. One other technique to establish potential producers is to establish the commerce affiliation that serves the trade within which your product falls. Go to the commerce affiliation websites and search for member lists.

Some commerce associations list the producers scheduled to exhibit at their upcoming commerce exhibits. Online databases may also be useful resources. Details required : characters remaining Cancel Submit 3 people found this reply helpful. If you think your idea really is 1 new and different, and 2 has a market of people who will shell out their hard-earned cash to buy it, then you might want to talk to someone about designing and building it, especially if you don't want to just give it to Microsoft.

Contact me if you are interested. So my question is where and who do I submit it to? Before someone else thinks of it. Many thanks. This thread is locked. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit. Royalties usually based on a percentage of sales. Up-front payment e. Most methods of payment are in some way interrelated. Finding the right combination of payment is a personal decision that you should not take lightly.

Be prepared to dedicate a significant amount of time to realizing your dream of selling to another company. If your idea involves a tangible product, you may have to create a prototype or demonstrate how you can manufacture the item. It involves testing and retesting until you get it right. That brings us to our next difficulty in how to sell an idea: you may need to invest before you can sell.

Otherwise, once you reveal your idea to a larger company, they can develop it on their own for free. Most large companies live and breathe their business model. They think about novel solutions and ways to develop their product every day. This is why the research component of preparing to sell your idea is vital — if you uncover even a slightly similar product on the market, other companies have probably already investigated the viability of the idea for their business.

Is your goal to sell your idea outright, giving up all claims to the product or do you want to license the idea and receive royalties based on sales? Corporate policies may preclude one or the other, but be ready for this topic if it comes up for discussion. Allow attendees an opportunity to "drive" your software while you are in the room so you can answer questions.

Conclude your meeting at the agreed upon time and thank everyone for meeting with you. Avoid scam artists offering to pitch your idea to Microsoft for a fee. If you are considering an intermediary, investigate the company on the Internet or contact the Better Business Bureau before you take action. Based in Chicago, Gail Cohen has been a professional writer for more than 30 years.

She has authored and co-authored 14 books and penned hundreds of articles in consumer and trade publications, including the Illinois-based "Daily Herald" newspaper. Her newest book, "The Christmas Quilt," was published in December Share It.