Regional inventors compete for prizes at ‘Ideas to Profits’ conference

MADISON - Inventors from seven states will compete for prizes to help them turn their ideas into profits at the aptly named Ideas to Profits conference next week. Twenty-three inventors have polished their products and practiced their pitches to present to judges and new product scouts at the conferences Inventors’ Showcase and Competition.

New product scouts from Regal Ware, Lifetime Brands, Docie Invention Services and the Wisconsin Procurement Institute will lead a panel discussion for conference attendees. Workshop topics include hands-on model making and prototype development, federal research funding, doing business overseas, how to create a competitive advantage, marketing new products, intellectual property protection, early-stage financing strategies and more issues critical to taking new product ideas through all the stages of commercialization.

Among the inventions to be showcased are: a medical device to ease chronic pain, a Wi-Fi solution for automated building control systems, a novel fishing rod attachment, a cushion release system for tractors and snow blowers, a decorative pet cremation urn and an automatic hydraulic air jack system. Winners receive new product development market research from the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center. Judges will also select an invention to receive a special award of rapid prototyping services from the UW-Stout Center for Innovation and Development.

The showcase and award reception is an annual event for inventors, entrepreneurs and innovative manufacturers and is presented by the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The conference will be held at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells on Oct. 1-2, 2009. Registration is still open.