Every so often, I am approached by an inventor or entrepreneur asking about a particular invention promotion company that they saw advertised on TV, radio or on the web.  

When I'm asked this question, my mind always goes back to a very old, yet very wise rule of thumb: "You'll know who they are by the kind of fruit they produce".  This simple yet profound test always works. If it's a good tree, you're going to get good fruit.  If it's a bad tree, it produces bad fruit that will make you sick or poison you.

 

This test will certainly bring out the bad apples. But so many new and unsuspecting inventors & entrepreneurs will take a bite of this seemingly attractive fruit that will ultimately poison their finances and time, many times killing their invention or business before it even starts. 

Invention scam companies are truly the payday lenders of the inventing industry. But it's hard to point at and identify these slime-balls by name.  Many of them will get a bad name or a judgment from the FTC, then burrow under some rock, only to spring up somewhere else with a new name and brand new identity.  So how do you know which ones are the bad guys?  By identifying them by what they do.

 

We help inventors & entrepreneurs with the education, engagement & empowerment to help you know the best strategy for success with your idea.  A great way to start this engagement is to join us at the next     Inventors Council Louisville Free Open Meeting on    Thursday, June 1st as we hear from  UofL School of Entrepreneurship's Van Clouse .  See all the details below.