I have an invention idea; now what should I do?

Search for prior art to confirm it's original, create a prototype or CAD design, apply for Patent Pending status with the IPO, and gather commercial feedback before choosing between licensing or manufacturing it yourself. Here's how each step works in practice.

Do you have a new invention idea? If you are looking for invention idea help, it's all here in one place. Here we will cover registering or protecting, designing and selling your new invention idea.

At Innovate Design, we have over 25 years experience of helping innovators taking their new ideas to market in the UK and beyond. We live and breathe new inventions, our purpose is to help new inventors like you.

Whether you want to see your new idea on the shelves with your name on it or sell your invention, we can help.

Looking to sell your invention idea quickly? Did you know - you can sell an invention idea at any stage. However, over the years we have compiled what we believe are the best steps to increase your chances of success.

If you have a new invention idea and don't know how to proceed, take a look at our tried and tested steps:

1) Find out if your invention idea is truly novel.

Before investing time or money, you need to know whether your idea (or something close to it) already exists. Roughly 90% of patent applications that fail do so because of prior art the inventor didn't know about, so this step matters more than it might seem.

• Just because you don’t see it on the market does not mean it has not been invented (unfortunately). You can do an initial worldwide patent search on Espacenet to see what you can find
• A DIY search is a good starting point but easy to get wrong: patent language is deliberately broad and technical, so relevant prior art is often missed by non-specialists.
• Innovate offers an affordable and professional worldwide patent search , which draws on commercial databases not available to the public and gives you a written report you can act on with confidence.
• Typical timeframe: a professional search usually takes 1-2 weeks depending on complexity.
• Common mistake: assuming "I haven't seen it in shops" means it doesn't exist. Many patented ideas never reach market, but they can still block your own application.

2) Development and prototyping of your idea

Once you know your idea is novel, the next step is turning it into something tangible — but this doesn't have to mean a big upfront spend.

• CAD visuals first, physical prototype later is often the most cost-effective route. Photorealistic CAD renders let you test how the product looks and functions, and double as presentation material for investors or buyers — often at a fraction of the cost of a working prototype
• There are various routes of design to consider at this stage, but one thing is for sure, you don't have to invest big sums of money
• Making a physical prototype of your new idea becomes important once you need to demonstrate real-world function, test manufacturing feasibility, or hand something tangible to a retailer or licensee.
• Typical costs: CAD visualisation projects often start in the low thousands of pounds; full working prototypes vary hugely by product complexity, so it's worth scoping this with a design team before committing.
• Typical timeframe: CAD work can often be turned around in 2-4 weeks; prototyping timelines depend on materials and iteration needed.
• Read more about the options in our design process and idea development
• Common mistake: jumping straight to an expensive physical prototype before validating the concept with CAD, or before confirming novelty in Step 1.

3) Start the process of protecting your new invention idea and be “Patent Pending”

• Apply for a Patent with the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) with relatively little information at first , you don't need a finished, fully-engineered product to file.
• You can file your patent with very little information until your idea is more developed. There are risks* but you have up to 12 months to seek professional help, formalise your application, and pay the official fees
• Once filed, you have up to 12 months to formalise the application, add supporting detail, and pay the remaining official fees — this window is what allows you to test the idea commercially before fully committing.
• The IPO will issue a filing receipt confirming your filing date and application number, this is what puts you in "Patent Pending" status, which you can legitimately reference when discussing your idea with manufacturers, retailers or investors.
• Common mistake: waiting until the idea is "perfect" before filing. Filing early secures your priority date , you can add detail later within the 12-month window.

*seek legal advice at www.cipa.org.uk or www.lawsociety.org.uk

4) Get some commercial feedback

With Patent Pending status secured, this is the stage that determines whether, and how, your idea reaches market.

• Use the 12-month Patent Pending period to approach retailers, manufacturers, and industry contacts directly. You're the best person to pitch your own idea; nobody understands the problem it solves better than you do.
• This stage typically clarifies which route makes sense for you:  licensing an idea to an existing manufacturer, or self-manufacturing and bringing it to market yourself.
• Feedback at this stage often surfaces practical issues — materials, price point, market positioning — that are far cheaper to fix now than after manufacturing has begun.
• Common mistake: presenting the idea too early (before Patent Pending status) or too late (after committing fully to manufacturing without testing market appetite first).

Innovate can help with all of the steps. 

Need an example of these steps in action?
we offer a free idea review with one of our innovation coach to guide you on the next best step for your idea.

Case study: pipeEASY

Are you a fan of Dragon's den? If yes, you are sure to remember our Client Teirnan Mccorkell with his product, pipeEASY.

Step 1: Carried out a World Wide Patent Search
Step 2: Had his cutting tool computer visualised by the Design Team
Step 3: Applied for his Patent Pending
Step 4: Used his materials to gain feedback from the industry and manufacturers

Next: With his valuable tools, Teirnan was able to source prototypes quickly and affordably, finalise his patent application (in Europe too!) and decide that self manufacture was a better option for him (as opposed to licensing).

He also managed to win the hearts of the nation by appearing on Dragon's Den in 2019. His new invention idea was snapped up by Dragon Sara Davies who he has now partnered with.

"Had I have not have contacted Innovate, it would of just of been a pipe line dream (no pun intended)... the process with Innovate has given me the drive to pursue more of my ideas in the very near future and I will use Innovate again most definitely."

To read more about Teirnan's Inventor's story, or look at other examples of new invention success, take a look at our case studies page.

For some advice on your invention idea in particular, submit your invention idea for a free review here.

Written by Barbara Bouffard
Co-Managing Director, Innovate Design

Barbara is Co-Managing Director at Innovate Design, where she has helped guide inventors through the patenting, prototyping and route-to-market process for over 25 years. She works directly with clients from initial idea through to manufacture or licensing, and has overseen the strategy behind hundreds of successful inventor journeys, including cases featured on Dragon's Den.