Beware of Scoring an Own Goal
Hello Friend, today I will explain why manufacturing the prototype is a process that must be done in parallel or before the Utility Model or Patent.
If you want to avoid having a goal scored against you, listen up!
A couple of weeks ago, we received a client with a Wonderful idea.
Let’s call him Paco, as usual.
Paco presents a solution for the restaurant industry which, if feasible…
will be “the bomb.”
I was NOT able to send a quote to Paco to manufacture the prototype.
Let me explain the two reasons why:
1. To make Paco's prototype work, you have to use infrequent technologies.
By uncommon, I mean that, although there are articles online confirming their existence, there is no product in the market that actually uses them.
2. We are sure that there are options for this project, but, we cannot at this point, guess what the process will be like.
Up to now, we should be on the same page regarding two premises:
1. Paco cannot be certain about his invention’s feasibility.
2. Paco’s invention requires research.
Put yourself in my shoes! I had just two options:
1. Quote an inflated budget for manufacturing the prototype.
It would have to be sufficiently inflated so as to cover my back for all possible changes and errors.
In other words: a goal….
2. Budget a technical feasibility study and an engineering project that would allow studying alternatives, testing in the laboratory and defining how to implement them at the time of manufacturing the Paco prototype.
Plainly speaking:
5,500 euros is the budget we quoted for the second option.
The first doesn’t seem honest to me, so I don’t even consider it.
Of course, this has been frustrating for Paco.
He sees the budget quoted for the study as an additional and unnecessary expense.
While we can understand Paco’s frustration, beware repeating his errors.
Stopping to research and investigate does not mean putting the brakes on your invention.
Todo lo contrario, si se requiere, los resultados de este proceso suelen ser clave para el futuro prototipo.
Justo el viernes supe de Paco, aunque no hablé con él de forma directa.
A patent agent (regular client) has asked us to quote a budget for drawing up Paco’s project, without considering whether it can be manufactured or not.
No doubt about it.
Paco has chosen the shorter and cheaper path, although I still have serious doubts about the future of his project.
Otro Utility Model que nace condenado a estar tirado en un cajón con polvo.
What’s your opinion of this case?
Remember... With these tips, I don't intend to sell you anything.
I fulfill my commitment to support our community of inventors.
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Business Director - Inventors' Advisor at Let´s Prototype
Erick Remedios has been linked to entrepreneurship and the launch of innovative projects and inventions for over a decade. His start in the entrepreneurship sector began as the Project Management Director at the network of Private Investors, Business In Fact, S.A., a club of private investors specialized in high-risk investments, which he ended up managing as General Director for at least 5 years.
As the director of the Private Investors network specialized in innovative projects in the startup phase, Erick Remedios participated in more than 40 investment operations, with his main functions being: advising entrepreneurs and inventors, as well as private investors interested in investing in such projects.
Erick Remedios has been one of the influential figures in the development of the ecosystem of entrepreneurs and private investors in Spain. Since 2012, he has participated in numerous private investment forums, has advised entrepreneurial projects as a member of their Boards of Directors, and has served as a lecturer in numerous Public and private Universities, specialized public centers in entrepreneurship, and internationally leading business schools, such as It Aérea Business School, where he leads the management of the Business Model Design Module for entrepreneurs, mostly Aerospace Engineering graduates.
Specialized Centers in Entrepreneurship and the Launch of Innovative Projects where Erick Remedios has participated:
- Direction of the Program - Sanse Emprende from the City Council of San Sebastián de los Reyes, Madrid.
- Direction of the Espoban Program – Diputación de Córdoba and European Center for Business Innovation. Training of entrepreneurs and inventors and preparing them to attract capital through private investors.
- Speaker on the subject of launching innovative projects at Universities such as: Pablo Olavide, University of Seville, University of Málaga, University of Cádiz, University of Huelva, University of Almería, University of Jaen, University of Granada.
- Direction of the Entrepreneurship Module – IT Aérea Business School.
- ENyD Business School: Professor and lecturer in the area of Entrepreneurship and Private Investment.
- Avanza Castellón - Mentor of entrepreneurs and inventors in the program of the Diputación de Castellón.
- Ávila Emprende – Program of the City Council of Ávila. Mentor of entrepreneurs in sales processes and product development.
- Aula UGR- Professor of entrepreneurship and management of launching innovative projects in programs aimed at training teachers from the University of Granada.
- Master Up - Professor of entrepreneurship and investment management in the Official Master's for entrepreneurs from the University of Cadiz.
At the same time, numerous companies have signed Erick Remedios as an advisor and member of their Board of Directors, companies in which Mr. Remedios has also acted as the representative of the private investors who have placed their trust and economic resources, including:
- Tu Fabrica de Eventos
- Baby Radio
- Graffos
- Neurobia Research
- HitsBook
- Bit Credit
- Glelemo
Currently, Mr. Remedios is leading the international expansion of Let´s Prototype in the United States, while also advising inventors on startup processes for projects related to innovative Hardware or Software elements, both in terms of product design, a specialty of Let´s Prototype, and in terms of designing strategies for selling inventions and patents.
Interviews with Mr. Remedios and publications authored by him in Media:
- School of Business and Management: [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch3nRTFvxhw)
- Diputación de Córdoba. Training for Investors: [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj2fvxkD-zI)
- Spanish Television - Program Emprende: [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZRi98CE20M)
- TV2 - Spanish Television: [Link](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms22bxyllKc)
- University of Cadiz: Article for Inventors: [Link](https://emprendedores.uca.es/lean-prototyping-el-puente-entre-el-concepto-el-prototipo-y-las-patentes/)
- University of Granada: Article for Inventors: [Link](https://ugremprendedora.ugr.es/6-tips-para-convertir-tu-idea-o-concepto-en-prototipo-lean-prototyping/)
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