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HQ Weekly – Invention-Con 2025, New Inventor Spotlights & Tools to Power Your Journey

Your September 8th roundup: events, new members, inventor tips, community highlights, and fresh AI tools for innovators.

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H.Q. Weekly #39

Hello Inventor Smart Community — and welcome to a meaningful week ahead. 🇺🇸

With Invention-Con 2025 streaming live September 9–10, we’ve got a front-row seat to learn from innovators, IP experts, and even our own Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach. Just days later, on September 11 — Patriot Day, we pause to honor the lives lost and the bravery of first responders. It’s a reminder that invention is not only about new products, but also about resilience, problem-solving, and creating a safer, stronger future.

This week’s HQ is packed with inspiration: events, a new podcast episode, community highlights, and tools to keep your ideas moving forward. Grab your coffee and let’s jump in. 👇

This Week in HQ:

  • 📢 Big Event: Invention-Con 2025 is here (Sep 9–10) — free USPTO virtual conference featuring Brian Fried and top innovators.

  • 🎙️ Inventor Spotlight Podcast: Episode 18 with Melon Dash — tackling fear of water and sharing her new storm-smart invention.

  • 📥 New Members: 16 new app members + 8 new faces in the Inventor Chat Forum — say hi and introduce yourself.

  • 🌟 Community Spotlight: BillyGlen — building off-grid living solutions like solar-powered water collection.

  • 💡 Inventor Tip: Name It to Claim It — why giving your invention a name makes it real.

  • 🤖 AI Spotlight: Bolt — build prototype sites and apps in minutes to showcase your invention.

  • 🗓️ On This Day (Sep 8): Star Trek premieres in 1966, inspiring real-world tech and generations of inventors.

  • 🧭 Upcoming Events: Newsletter + Community Meetup (Sep 15), Ask the Inventor Coach (Sep 23), Book Club Meetup (Sep 30).

  •  Stay tuned: September National Inventor Club Meeting announcement coming soon.

Invention-Con 2025 – This Week!

The USPTO’s flagship conference for inventors, makers, and entrepreneurs is streaming live September 9–10 (1:00–3:30 PM ET daily).

This free, virtual event is packed with inspiration and strategy to help you move your ideas forward. Learn from seasoned innovators, IP experts, and entrepreneurs — including our very own Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach — as they share insights on branding, pitching, creativity, and protecting your big ideas.

You’ll also hear real inventor success stories, discover key resources available at every stage of your journey, and connect with experts who can guide you from idea to market. Day two even features Brian moderating Voices of Innovation: Bridging Creativity and Change, a panel that promises fresh perspective and practical tips.

Highlight Sessions

  • A Spark of Creativity: Key strategies for your innovation journey

  • From Pitch to Powerhouse: Turning big ideas into bold brands

  • What Are Investors Looking For? Insights directly from the investor side

  • Ask the Experts: Practical guidance on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and more

Add event to calendar

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Inventor Spotlight Podcast — Episode 18 (Now Live)

Half of U.S. adults can’t swim — and the real blocker is fear, not technique. In this new episode, host Samantha St. Raymond talks with Melon Dash (Miracle Swimming for Adults) about her Five Circles model for moving from panic → presence, why true water safety starts with floating before strokes, and how her Learn-to-Float Station (float bar + tether) helps adults feel buoyancy safely. You’ll also hear how the Five Circles applies beyond swimming (tests, public speaking, procrastination).

👉 Watch on YouTube: Inventor Spotlight Podcast — Ep. 18: Melon Dash
Or listen on your favorite podcast platform — search Inventor Spotlight Podcast.

Powered by the Inventor Smart Community App & National Inventor Club.

The Key to a $1.3 Trillion Opportunity

A new real estate trend called co-ownership is revolutionizing a $1.3T market. Leading it? Pacaso. Created by the founder behind a $120M prior exit, they already have $110M+ in gross profits to date. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO. And you can invest until September 18.

Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.

Every click on the ad helps support the Inventor Smart Community, thanks for helping us help inventors.

Welcome to the Inventor Smart Community

We’re starting this week with fresh momentum — 16 new members joined the Inventor Smart App, plus new faces in the Inventor Chat Forum. If you’re new here, we’re glad you found your people.

🆕 New App Members (this week)

BillyGlen (Bilky)Gomdom (Guillaume)Jdgray44 (Jack)ranielfiebre07Rosemarie (Rosemarie)DanielEaston Bae (Easton Bae)Lewi13 (Lewis Coakley)lucas.bovang06 (Chee Vang)Dillon (Dillon Dao)Eric Mendes (Eric)jtown (Jeff)Davidgsala (David)Platinumlevelllc (Derek Clay)Speedy

💬 New in the Inventor Chat Forum

Th3Os1PrototypeTrendiAibrahimvonhuberCherraJannieroyalKailin

Next steps for new members:

  • Say hi: Post a quick intro — who you are and what you’re building.

  • Add a face: Update your profile photo so people recognize you in threads and DMs.

  • Share work-in-progress: Drop a snapshot, mockup, or question — get real feedback from fellow inventors.

You don’t have to invent alone. Jump into a thread today — we’re listening, learning, and cheering you on.

Community Spotlight: BillyGlen (Billy)

This week, we’re spotlighting BillyGlen (Billy) — a general contractor from Ruidoso, NM, and a passionate inventor exploring off-grid living and energy solutions.

Billy is currently working on ideas to make tiny homes 100% off grid. He’s experimenting with concepts like a solar-powered dehumidifier water collection system that can pull moisture from the air, store it safely, and sustain a household. As a builder and remodeler, he’s seen firsthand how everyday tools — like dehumidifiers — can be reimagined for freedom, resilience, and sustainability.

Here’s a glimpse of what Billy recently shared with the community:

“When a home floods we use dehumidifiers to extract the moisture out of the home. The water extracted is clean and clear and if done in the right way (solar) this option could sustain a household by pulling moisture from outside air. … The world needs ways for the average person to live free.”

Billy’s vision captures the inventive spirit: thinking beyond profit and looking for ways to give people more independence and freedom through innovation.

Billy, we’re grateful to have you in the community — and excited to see how your off-grid energy journey unfolds.

Want to be featured in a future Community Spotlight? Stay active, share your updates, and support others — you could be next!

Inventor Tip of the Week — Name It to Claim It

One of Brian Fried’s first steps for moving forward with an idea is simple but powerful: give your invention a name.

Why it matters: Naming your invention makes it real. It helps you visualize packaging, marketing, and how others will talk about it. A name also signals commitment — when you call it something specific, it stops being “just an idea” and starts becoming a product.

📌 Pro Tip: Once you pick a name, do a quick check online and through the USPTO trademark search to see if it’s available. This early step can save you headaches later and helps set the stage for branding.

🎯 Action Step: This week, take one idea you’ve been sitting on and name it. Write the name down, say it out loud, and imagine showing it to others. You’ll be surprised how quickly it gives your invention a sense of momentum.

Join the Conversation at InventorChat.com

Got a question about your invention? Hit a roadblock? Or maybe you just scored a small win worth celebrating?

Inventor Chat is your 24/7 hangout for real inventor talk — no sales pitches, no pressure. Just a supportive space to swap ideas, share progress, get feedback, and connect with fellow innovators who understand the journey.

It’s free, always open, and designed for inventors like you to keep the momentum going between meetups and events.

👉 Jump into the conversation today at InventorChat.com. Your next big breakthrough might start with a single post.

Spotlight AI of the Week — Bolt: From Idea to Demo in Minutes

For inventors, showing beats telling. Whether you need a product page, a simple e-commerce store, or a feedback app — Bolt lets you create it in minutes, no coding required.

Just describe your idea in plain English and Bolt builds a working site or app you can share with investors, partners, or potential customers. It’s a fast way to prototype, test interest, and showcase your invention without waiting months or spending thousands.

🔗 Try it now → bolt.new

On This Day in Inventor History - Star Trek’s Premiere

On September 8, 1966, Star Trek launched on NBC and began its five-year mission aboard the USS Enterprise. Though it started as a sci-fi TV show, its visionary tech — think flip-phone communicators, tablet-like PADDs, communicators, tricorders, and even early ideas of voice-controlled devices — went on to ignite real-world inventors and engineers. Visionaries like Motorola’s Marty Cooper have acknowledged how Star Trek shaped their thinking.

What made Star Trek uniquely powerful was its optimistic view of the future — a diverse, inclusive crew exploring new worlds, where empathy and ingenuity drove change. That optimistic message continues to inspire creators, technologists, and inventors worldwide.

What’s Happening This Week

💡 Invention-Con 2025 (USPTO Virtual Conference)
📅 September 9–10 | 1:00–3:30 PM ET daily
The USPTO’s flagship free event for inventors and entrepreneurs. Learn how to grow your IP knowledge, connect with experts, and hear from innovators — including Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach.
👉 Register Free »

What’s Ahead – September Schedule

📰 Inventor Smart Newsletter – September Edition
📅 Monday, September 15 @ 10:00 AM ET
Packed with updates, resources, and opportunities for inventors.

🤝 Inventor Smart Community Meetup: Connect & Network
📅 Monday, September 15 @ 8:00 PM ET
A casual, open forum for inventors to connect, share updates, and collaborate.

Ask the Inventor Coach: Live Q&A with Brian Fried
📅 Tuesday, September 23 @ 8:00 PM ET
Bring your questions and get direct advice from Brian on your invention journey.

📚 Inventor Smart Book Club – September Meetup
📅 Tuesday, September 30 @ 8:00 PM ET
This month we’re diving into How to Make Money with Your Invention Idea — a must-read for any serious inventor.

Stay tuned for details on the September National Inventor Club Meeting — coming soon!

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Let’s See Those Faces, Inventors!

Real people. Real ideas. Real community.

If you haven’t already, take a moment to add or update your profile photo in the app. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference — especially with upcoming meetups and live events where connections matter most.

💬 Makes networking smoother
🎤 Helps others recognize and connect with you during live events
🎁 Bonus: Send us a quick DM once it’s updated and we’ll send you a small thank-you gift!

Show up. Be seen. This is your inventor community.

Level Up Your Inventor Game with the Inventor Smart Community

Why stay stuck in “idea mode” when you can supercharge your inventor journey?

Inside the Inventor Smart App, you’ll unlock:
 Live Q&As + insider events to keep you moving forward
 Ready-to-use tools — NDAs, pitch decks & more
 A supportive network of inventors who push you to go bigger

No fees. No fluff. Just momentum.

Your ideas deserve more than the drawing board — they deserve to fly.

Before You Go…

This week we turn our attention to Invention-Con 2025, where inventors everywhere can tune in virtually to learn from IP experts, seasoned entrepreneurs, and even our own Brian Fried. We also spotlighted Inventor Spotlight Ep. 18 with Melon Dash, welcomed new members across the app and forum, and shared fresh tools and tips to keep your journey moving forward.

✅ While you’re here:
— Welcome our newest members and share what you’re working on in the community
— Catch this week’s Inventor Tip — the power of naming your invention
— Explore Bolt, our AI Spotlight tool for rapid prototyping and showcasing your ideas

✨ And remember — September is full of opportunities: the Inventor Smart Newsletter and Community Meetup on Sept. 15, Ask the Inventor Coach Live Q&A on Sept. 23, and the Book Club meetup on Sept. 30. Plus, stay tuned for the National Inventor Club Meeting announcement coming soon.

👉 Jump back in → app.inventorsmart.com

Here’s to a week of learning, reflecting, and building momentum — together as a community of inventors.

— Team Inventor Smart

📬 Questions, wins, or feedback? Drop us a note: [email protected]

Take your invention to the next level with Inventor Smart 'Premium Insider'!

Enjoy monthly Q&A sessions with Brian Fried and industry experts, share your story on the Inventor Spotlight Podcast, and gain access to exclusive events and discounts, including a 10% discount at InventorMart and on services at brianfried.com.

🔗 Learn more and join today: Premium Insider

Meet Brian Fried - Your Inventor Coach, Author, Speaker, and Founder

Get to know Brian Fried, the Inventor Coach. With 15 patents and a successful licensing history, he has dedicated 18 years to coaching inventors. Explore his ventures like the Got Invention Show, National Inventor Club, and Inventor Smart Community app. Schedule a call with Brian at brianfried.com.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

We’re grateful to our amazing sponsors for their unwavering support of the Inventor Smart Community. Your contributions empower us to continue offering essential resources, tools, and opportunities to inventors around the world. Together, we’re turning ideas into reality!

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