Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Ok, so I have an idea for a product, but I don`t have the engineering know-how to actually design and develop a prototype.  Where does one locate engineers?  I think I`d need an electrical, but I may be wrong given my lack of engineering expertise.  How does one protect an idea from being stolen if I do find an engineer? 

Thanks!



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Scott
http://modernforager.blogspot.com

Try who`s who at the library

there are also many consultant registries, many of these people would be willing to work on something with you.

2 cent

Stan

Thanks Stan.  I`ll give that a check today.  I have to return a book anyway.


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Scott
http://modernforager.blogspot.com

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Trent Rousey
President - 3R Products, Inc.

Hi,
i have 6 years experience in PHP,MYSQL,JAVA
I can work for part time for your prototype.
regards
guru

How does a software expert make a prototype involving electrical engineering?


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I am currently working with a product engineer through my local Small Business Development Center. run a search for them, they are a government sponsored non profit agency designed to help individuals gather information and learn about starting businesses. Most are centered around higher learning faciliteis and are of MUCH help! Check em out!

 Forgot to mention, they all work through a Non Disclosure Agreement. My local facility has a full fledged enineering department that can handle averything from prototyping to CAD designing as well as assistance with research. Very helpful to me so far

Hi Scott,

Finding an engineer is just a matter of legwork, specifically just as others have said above.  A local University and library is an immense resource.  Many times, you can try to setup an agreement with a local University to take on your project as course work.  This means, numerous students and engineering "mentors" (teachers) working on your project for development, and sometimes prototyping. 

Disclosure is a key problem with this of course, as well as the fact that your product idea will be in the hands of the course-work of the professor.  Meaning, your own ideas for your invention may go by the wayside in the pursuit of the classes course material.

Its one option for those with little funds and a complex project.

Otherwise you do want to make sure your Engineer will in tandem with your (do you have one?) Industrial or Product designer.  It can be difficult having four different contacts working on a single product:

Industrial Designer for the overall product design
Mechanical or otherwise Engineer for the feasibility and structure of the "internals" or Function portion of your invention
Graphic Designer for professional graphics
etc.

Local inventor organizations can also potentially have some great resources for contact.

Additionally, I work for a full design studio which works ala-carte in its services.  Feel free to check out our website and peruse its info.

Good luck!!


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-You may indeed fail before you succeed, but don`t make it a habit.