Whether you are an experienced inventor or a newcomer who just came up with your first big idea, the Inventor Smart Community Newsletter is here to help you keep learning, making connections, and moving your invention forward.
This month, we are leading with your final opportunity to pitch during the 2026 Inventor Showcase, followed by a recent event replay, an interview with a personal-computing pioneer, and resources you can use throughout your invention journey.
Only 3 Inventor Showcase Spots Remain
Last Call to Pitch Your Invention Live
The 2026 Inventor Showcase takes place live on Thursday, August 27 at 7:00 PM ET, hosted by the National Inventor Club and powered by the Inventor Smart Community App.
Inventors will take the virtual stage to pitch actual prototypes and finished products, demonstrate how their inventions work, and share the stories behind their ideas with a live audience.
Only three presenter spots remain, and the final day to apply is tomorrow, Friday, August 21. The remaining spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Selected inventors will have the opportunity to:
Pitch an actual prototype or finished product live
Demonstrate how their invention works
Practice and strengthen their pitch
Get their invention in front of a wider audience
Receive a video clip of their pitch to share on their website, social media, or with potential partners
To apply, you must have an actual prototype or finished product, be available to join live on August 27 at 7:00 PM ET, and have working audio and video. You may also join using your cell phone.
At least a free membership in the Inventor Smart Community App is required to apply.
Submitting the form does not guarantee a pitching spot. Our team will contact selected inventors with confirmation and final instructions.
Want to Watch the Showcase?
You do not need to pitch an invention to participate.
Register free to watch inventors pitch their products, demonstrate how their inventions work, and share where they are in their journey.
The Eventbrite page will include the latest event details and links for watching live on YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, and additional streaming platforms.
Add event to calendar
2026 Inventor Showcase
Thursday, August 27, 2026
7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT
Live online
National Inventor Club Event Replay
Your Pitch Is Everything: How to Land the Deal
Missed our latest National Inventor Club Monthly Meeting? The full recording is now available.
Members gained valuable insights from Vincent James Arcuri, an experienced casting and producing professional who has evaluated thousands of entrepreneur pitches over the past 14 years. Drawing from his work with business and entrepreneurial television productions, Vincent explained what makes a pitch memorable and what causes opportunities to slip away.
Whether you are pitching to investors, licensing companies, retailers, or strategic partners, the session reinforced one important message:
A great product alone is not enough. You need a great pitch to open doors.
Key Takeaways
Preparation builds confidence. Know your product, your audience, and have your presentation materials ready before the meeting.
Tell a compelling story. Facts and features matter, but people connect with stories that clearly explain the problem and your solution.
Make a strong first impression. The opening moments of your pitch are critical for capturing attention and building interest.
Avoid common pitch mistakes. Being unprepared or overloading your audience with information can quickly derail a presentation.
Confidence is communicated. Your body language, energy, and ability to answer questions calmly can be just as important as your words.
Tailor your pitch to your audience. Address what your listener values most, whether that is profitability, market potential, or licensing opportunities.
This is a timely session for anyone preparing to pitch during the 2026 Inventor Showcase or present an invention to a potential partner.
The Got Invention Show
Lee Felsenstein: Designer of the First Portable Computer
On this episode of the Got Invention Show, host Brian Fried sits down with computer pioneer Lee Felsenstein, the engineer behind the Osborne 1, the world’s first commercially successful portable computer.
Lee shares stories from the early days of the Personal Computer Revolution, his role as a founding member of the Homebrew Computer Club, and the innovations that helped make personal computing accessible to millions.
He also discusses the challenges of designing groundbreaking technology and the lessons he learned throughout his remarkable career.
Want to Be a Guest?
The Got Invention Show features inventors who want to showcase their products, share their stories, and gain exposure to potential licensing, distribution, and investment opportunities.
Each 30-minute interview covers the inventor’s challenges, solutions, lessons learned, and future plans.
Inventor Resource
USPTO Patent Public Search
Before filing a patent application, one of the most important steps is determining whether your invention, or something similar, already exists.
The USPTO Patent Public Search tool is a free online resource that gives inventors access to millions of U.S. patents and published patent applications, making it easier to conduct preliminary patent research.
The tool offers two search options:
Basic Search: Ideal for beginners searching by keywords, inventor name, patent number, or publication number.
Advanced Search: Designed for experienced users who want to create more detailed searches using filters, Boolean operators, and advanced queries.
A thorough patent search can help you identify similar inventions, better understand the competitive landscape, and refine your idea before investing additional time and money.
Brian Fried’s Invention Playbook
5 Things I Wish Every Inventor Knew Before They Spent Their First Dollar
Bringing a new invention to life is exciting, but moving too quickly can lead to costly mistakes.
One of the biggest lessons in this article is the importance of conducting a patent search before investing in prototypes, manufacturing, or marketing. A search can reveal whether a similar product or patent already exists, potentially saving you significant time, money, and disappointment.
The article also covers four other common mistakes inventors face:
Sharing an idea before it is protected
Misunderstanding the licensing process
Choosing the wrong manufacturing partner
Not having the right presentation materials ready when an opportunity arises
Each of these mistakes can delay your progress, but they can also be avoided with the right preparation.
This Month in Invention History
August 21, 1888: The First Practical Adding and Listing Machine Was Patented
On August 21, 1888, inventor William Seward Burroughs was awarded a U.S. patent for the first practical adding and listing machine, a breakthrough that transformed bookkeeping and accounting.
Inspired by his work as a bank clerk, Burroughs designed the machine to reduce the tedious and error-prone process of manually adding long columns of numbers.
Unlike earlier calculating devices, Burroughs’ invention was practical for everyday business use and helped lay the foundation for the modern calculator. His invention became so successful that it led to the formation of the Burroughs Adding Machine Company, whose machines became standard equipment in offices around the world.
From mechanical adding machines to today’s calculators and computers, Burroughs’ innovation helped change how businesses process numbers.
Stay Connected with Inventor Smart
The Inventor Smart Community App is your place to connect with fellow inventors, find helpful resources, attend live events, and share your progress.
About Brian Fried
Brian Fried is The Inventor Coach, a serial inventor holding 15 patents who has successfully licensed and manufactured his own products sold through major retailers, QVC, and As Seen On TV. For over 20 years, he has guided thousands of inventors from idea through commercialization.
He founded the National Inventor Club (15,000 members), created the Inventor Smart Community app, authored three books on invention commercialization, and built an AI-powered ecosystem that takes inventors from validation (HelpMeInvent.com) through visual concept generation and market evaluation (UINVENT.ai) and into patent strategy, licensing representation, and turnkey commercialization.
Learn more at (InventorCoach.com).
Thank You for Reading
We hope you enjoyed the August 2026 edition of the Inventor Smart Community Newsletter.
Inventively yours,
Brian and the Inventor Smart Team