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Hello Inventor Smart Community,
A lot of inventors say the same thing:
“I just need funding.”
Maybe that is true.
Maybe you need money for a prototype, tooling, manufacturing, packaging, marketing, inventory, legal work, or bringing in the right people.
But before you say yes to an investor, there is a bigger question to ask:
Do you know exactly what you are asking for, what you are agreeing to, and what you may be giving up?
That is what this week’s Inventor Smart HQ is all about.
Because funding is not just money.
It can mean equity.
It can mean control.
It can mean legal documents.
It can mean expectations.
It can mean a partner in your business.
It can mean pressure to move faster than you are ready for.
And sometimes, outside investment is not the best first step at all.
Sometimes the smarter move is research, licensing, a better prototype, a smaller test, a stronger pitch, or a clearer plan.
That is why this Wednesday’s National Inventor Club Monthly Meeting is one every inventor should attend.
🎥 Featured Event This Week
What Every Inventor Needs to Know Before Saying Yes to Investors
National Inventor Club Monthly Meeting
Free Live Event, All Welcome
Wednesday, June 24
7:00 PM EDT | 6:00 PM CDT | 4:00 PM PDT
Live Stream
Join Brian Fried, The Inventor Coach, for a live conversation with Alon Y. Kapen, Partner at Farrell Fritz, one of Long Island’s trusted attorneys for entrepreneurs, startups, and emerging growth companies.
Alon works with founders, startups, and businesses on raising capital, structuring deals, and building companies from the ground up.
This is not just a “how do I get money?” conversation.
This is the conversation before that conversation.
The one where you learn what investors expect, what legal documents matter, what equity really means, and whether outside investment is even the right path for your invention.
Watch live:
Why This Matters for Inventors
When you have an idea, it is easy to get excited.
Someone says they are interested.
Someone says they know an investor.
Someone says they can help you “take it to the next level.”
That can feel like the moment you have been waiting for.
But Brian Fried has always taught inventors to slow down enough to make smart business decisions.
Not emotional decisions.
Not desperate decisions.
Not “I just want someone to believe in me” decisions.
Business decisions.
Before you speak with investors, you should understand:
What stage your invention is actually in
What proof you have that people want it
What protection you have around your idea
What it will cost to move forward
How the money will be used
What kind of deal is being discussed
What happens if the business does not go as planned
Whether licensing may be a smarter path
Whether manufacturing it yourself is realistic
What kind of professional guidance you need before signing anything
The right investor can help.
The wrong deal can create years of problems.
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🧠 Inventor Tip of the Week: Know What the Money Is For
Before you ask anyone for funding, write down the answer to this question:
“What exactly will this money help me do?”
Not generally.
Specifically.
For example:
Build a working prototype
File intellectual property
Pay for a professional patent search
Create CAD drawings
Pay for tooling
Order first inventory
Build packaging
Test ads
Launch a small production run
Hire legal or business support
Prepare for retail, licensing, or manufacturing
If you cannot explain how the money will be used, an investor may not feel confident giving it to you.
And more importantly, you may not be ready to take it.
Investors are not just investing in an idea.
They are looking at the opportunity around the idea.
The market.
The customer.
The numbers.
The protection.
The plan.
The founder.
The path forward.
That does not mean you need to have everything perfect.
But you should know where you stand.
📋 Before You Say Yes: A Simple Inventor Checklist
Use this before any serious investor conversation.
1. What problem does your invention solve?
Keep it simple.
What is annoying, difficult, unsafe, messy, expensive, slow, or inconvenient?
2. Who is the customer?
Do not just say “everyone.”
Is it parents? Golfers? Pet owners? Contractors? Homeowners? Seniors? Travelers? Retail buyers? A niche market?
3. What already exists?
Search online. Search stores. Search Amazon. Search Google Images. Search Google Patents. Look at competing products and related products.
You want to know what is out there before someone else points it out to you.
4. What makes your idea different?
Better design? Better function? Lower cost? Easier use? New market? Better packaging? Stronger brand? New application?
5. What protection do you have?
Do you have a provisional patent application, design patent, utility patent, trademark, NDA strategy, or attorney guidance?
Do not guess here.
Know what you have.
6. What stage are you in?
Idea only? Sketch? Prototype? CAD? Working sample? Finished product? Sales? Retail interest? Licensing conversations?
Different stages need different types of support.
7. What do you need money for?
If the answer is “everything,” get more specific.
Break it down by cost, priority, and timeline.
8. What are you willing to give up?
Equity? Royalties? Control? Decision-making rights? Exclusive rights? A percentage of the company?
This is where inventors need to pay close attention.
9. Who is reviewing the deal?
Before signing anything, bring in the right professional.
A good attorney, advisor, or qualified consultant can help you understand what is actually in the agreement.
10. Is investment the best path?
Maybe.
But maybe your best path is licensing.
Maybe it is a small test run.
Maybe it is crowdfunding.
Maybe it is a strategic partner.
Maybe it is waiting until you have more proof.
The goal is not just to get money.
The goal is to make the right move for your invention.
🎤 What Brian and Alon Will Cover Live
This Wednesday, Brian and Alon will break down the investor conversation in a way inventors can actually understand.
They will cover:
Do you actually need outside investors, or are there better options first?
Friends and family, angel investors, seed funding, and venture capital
What investors want to see before they say yes
How deals get structured
What inventors are really signing
How much equity may be too much
How to think about valuing an idea before it makes money
What Shark Tank gets right and what real life looks like
What legal documents help protect founders
What inventors should have ready before pitching
Licensing and other smart paths if outside investment is not the right fit
The journey from one product to a full brand, and maybe even an IPO
The best resources Alon recommends for inventors and entrepreneurs today
Bring your questions.
Brian and Alon will be taking them live.
🛠️ New Tool to Try: Free Idea Evaluation from uinvent.ai
Brian Fried recently launched a new free tool for inventors:
Got an idea?
Describe it in plain language and uinvent.ai helps bring it to life with an AI visual concept, then gives you a first look at important areas like:
Competitor research
Patent landscape
Market opportunity
Idea expansion
Success score
Next-step questions
Inventor guidance from “Pat Pending,” The Inventor Coach AI
No account needed.
Your idea stays yours.
This does not replace an attorney, a professional patent search, an engineer, or one-on-one coaching.
But it can help you see your idea more clearly before spending money.
And that matters.
Because sometimes the first thing an inventor needs is not funding.
Sometimes the first thing an inventor needs is clarity.
🔒 On Deck Next Week: Ask the Inventor Coach Live Q&A
Premium Insider Exclusive
Monday, June 29
8:00 PM EDT
Live on Google Meet
Got a question about your invention?
Next week, Premium Insiders get direct access to Brian Fried in a small-group live Q&A.
This is a great room to be in if you are working on:
Licensing
Pitching
Prototyping
Patent questions
Manufacturing decisions
Product feedback
Your next smart move
Premium Insiders can open the event inside the Inventor Smart Community and click the Google Meet button when it is time to join.
Not a Premium Insider yet?
Premium gives you access to exclusive events, small-group Q&A sessions, and more support as you move your invention forward.
What To Work On This Week
Here is your simple assignment for the week:
1. Watch Wednesday’s investor conversation
This is one of those events that can save you from expensive mistakes later.
2. Write your funding number
How much money do you think you need?
Then break it down.
What is it for?
When is it needed?
What does it help you prove or build?
3. Make your investor-readiness list
Write down what you have:
Sketch
Prototype
CAD
Patent status
Trademark status
Market research
Competitor research
Customer feedback
Manufacturing estimates
Sales or pre-orders
Pitch deck
Sell sheet
Video demo
4. Try uinvent.ai
Run your idea through the free tool and see what comes back.
5. Ask a better question
Instead of only asking:
“How do I get funding?”
Ask:
“What is the smartest next step for this invention?”
That question can change the whole direction of your idea.
Final Thought
An investor saying yes can be exciting.
But the real win is knowing what you are saying yes to.
Know your idea.
Know your numbers.
Know your options.
Know what you own.
Know what you are giving up.
Know who is helping you review the deal.
Then make the decision from a stronger place.
That is how inventors move forward with confidence.
Not by rushing.
By preparing.
We hope to see you live this Wednesday.
Keep inventing,
The Inventor Smart Team
Meet Brian Fried — The Inventor Coach
If you’re looking for guidance, Brian has helped thousands of inventors at every stage.
From early ideas… to licensing… to products in retail.
What makes the difference is simple:
Clear direction. Real feedback. Practical next steps.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
👉 Learn more or book a call:
https://brianfried.com/invention-help/
