STEP 1 - THE FIRST CONSULTATION
The proposal is considered under a confidentiality agreement. This allows us to determine whether it would be possible to assist and if so, which components of the process would be suitable.

First consultations are organised throughout the United Kingdom.

National co-ordination: 0870 850 0043

STEP 2 - INITIAL SEARCH AND EVALUATION
Before committing significant resources to the proposal, we would usually perform a degree of searching to make a provisional assessment as to whether the proposal is known and has been done before or at least already disclosed.

The merits of continuing with the proposal may be considered in the light of the search results. This may also provide an entry into patent mapping, as identified at step 5.

STEP 3 - START-UP FUNDING
Of course your main objective is to establish a commercial position for your product. We use the word "funding" to identify grants and subsidies provided by governmental bodies. The extent to which a proposal may be in a position to attract money of this type will vary but often the steps identified here do qualify at least in part.

We draw a distinction between funding of this type and equity investment, where you would be required to issue shares to an investor in return for the capital invested in your proposal.

STEP 4 - MARKET RESEARCH
Does a market exist for your product? Where is the market? How big is it? How long is it likely to last for? Market Research is directed towards identifying potential markets for the product and providing feedback as to which products would be attractive in the market and which products would be seen as undesirable.

It is possible that funding could be available to assist with market research, as well as patent mapping, product development and initial patent filing. However, questions will be raised at each stage of this process, which may in turn impact upon the desirability of taking the project to the next stage.

STEP 5 - PATENT MAPPING
Patent mapping is used to gain an understanding of the patent landscape surrounding your proposal, following on from the initial patent searching. More searching may be carried out and the results of these searches are analysed and scrutinised to identify competitors in the field of the proposal and potential collaborators, while allowing the technology to be monitored and trends to be understood.

Relevant information is also extracted from the patent document to establish the extent of the freedom to operate in the particular field and, in conjunction with market research, patent mapping will help to build a clear picture of the intellectual property landscape surrounding the technology. Thus, this allows an evaluation to be made of the project before proceeding further with product development.

STEP 6 - PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Do you have a real product with a full manufacturing specification that is ready to protect, make and sell? Is more design work required and do you need to build a prototype? It does not matter what stage you are at, as we have longstanding relationships with product designers.

Product development represents a major component of many projects. It may initially consist of producing prototype drawings, with increasing use being made of computer aided design packages. It may be desirable to produce a working prototype.

Ultimately it is necessary to make progress towards the development of tooling and the creation of final products. The product development process is also likely to identify modifications and enhancements to product, which may not have been appreciated at the early conceptual stages.

STEP 7 - FIRST GB PATENT APPLICATION
A first patent application must be placed on file before any non-confidential disclosure of the invention is made. A non-confidential disclosure can invalidate a subsequently filed patent application.

Our preference is to file complete patent applications, so that further work towards obtaining patent grant in the UK is minimised and the use of resources is optimised.

STEP 8 - WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
The development of a website provides a cost-effective mechanism for publicising the product and possibly attracting orders. Details of the product must not be placed on a website until a first patent application has been filed if patent protection is considered desirable.

The development of a website provides a virtual representation of the product to be publicised as a mechanism for assessing the real degree of commercial interest for the product.

STEP 9 - RESPONSE TO THE PATENT EXAMINATION REPORT
The filing of a first patent application initiates a twelve-month period during which patent applications may be filed elsewhere. The search and examination report should be received within three to four months of initial filing. Therefore, in dealing with this, an opportunity is also provided for assessing the desirability of filing patent applications outside the United Kingdom.

STEP 10 - INTERNATIONAL PATENT PROTECTION
Before embarking on an international filing programme, it is prudent to again identify the possibilities of attracting funding which can be put towards paying a proportion of the charges involved. Careful consideration should be given to the extent of international protection required, given that specific countries may be selected at this stage, thereby optimising the money spent, or options may be left open for a further eighteen months by filing an international patent application under the PCT.

STEP 11 - EQUITY INVESTMENT
With relatively simple products and by maximising the benefits derived from Inventor-Net professionals, it may be possible to have fully developed the product by this stage and actually have items for sale.

Alternatively, with more sophisticated proposals, it may be necessary to attract substantial levels of further investment in order to provide funding for further development work, exhibitions, collaborations and the establishment of a sales team.

The possibilities for attracting further government funding tend to become more difficult as the proposal becomes more mature. Consequently, it may be necessary to take further measures in order to ensure that the proposal achieves its commercial goals.

In order to achieve commercial realisation it may be necessary to attract equity investment, in which business angels and capital funds etc commit resources in exchange for equity stakes. Equity investors may also insist upon the introduction of new board members and at this point the enterprise would take on a substantially more business like approach.

STEP 12 - PRODUCT SALES
Ultimately, commercial realisation means that products and/or services are available and are being purchased by customers. The proposal (now an enterprise) will have value and could be sold for a substantial capital gain. Alternatively, the enterprise may be extending rapidly thereby requiring further equity and possibly leading to a public listing.