Frequently Asked Questions

About Edison Nation and Creating an Account

What is Edison Nation?

Edison Nation is the leading online community and resource dedicated to inventors and idea people that helps independent inventors get their ideas, products and patents commercialized. Edison Nation produces Everyday Edisons, publishes Inventors Digest and has partnered with the Edison Innovation Foundation.

How do I sign up for an account?

Creating an account is easy and only takes a few seconds. Visit our sign-up page and fill out the short form under “First Time Here?”

How do I log in?

Click here to log in.

Forgot your log in information?

Click here if you have forgotten your password.

If you have forgotten your username, you may also use your email address. If you have forgotten both your username and email address, please visit our support site to request assistance.

About Edison Insider Membership

What is an Edison Insider membership?

An Insider is a member in our premium program. Insiders gain access to online features that are not available to regular members of Edison Nation. In addition, Insiders enjoy greater discounts on search submissions, a subscription to Inventors Digest and many other benefits.

What are the benefits of being an Insider?

Click here to view all Insider benefits

What does it cost to be an Insider?

The cost to become an Insider is $9.25 per month.

How do I become an Insider?

Click here to become an Insider.

Cancellation Policy

You may cancel your account of change your membership status at any time by visiting My Account.

Here you can cancel membership, update your account details, as well as your billing information. Please make sure your physical mailing address is up to date on that page as it indicates where we will ship your free subscription to Inventors Digest – an exclusive Insider benefit. Upon cancellation, you will receive a confirmation e-mail stating that your account has been canceled.

How do I contact Edison Nation?

Click here to contact us through our Support site.

Live Product Search

I have a great invention. Can I just email you my idea?

We do not accept unsolicited submissions outside of our system.

How do I submit an idea to Edison Nation?

Please visit www.edisonnation.com/searches to learn more about the current opportunities we have available through Edison Nation. You may submit your idea to any active search. Don’t see a search for your idea? Don’t worry! We’re adding new searches every week!

Can I submit an idea from anywhere in the world?

Yes, this program is global. We’d like to hear about your ideas no matter where you’re located.

Is there an age requirement to participate?

You must be at least 18 years old to submit an idea. Innovators under 18 can submit their ideas through a parent or legal guardian.

Once I submit my idea, how do I know if my idea was selected?

As soon as you submit your idea, it will appear on your dashboard. As your idea progresses through each step of our patent-pending review process, you will be notified on your dashboard. Remember to log back into Edison Nation to track its progress!

I have just submitted an idea, how long will it take to hear back?

Log into your Edison Nation account and follow your dashboard through the eight review stages. Always keep an eye on your dashboard for the latest updates.

What is in it for the inventor/innovator?

Innovators whose products are selected to take to market will receive a $2,500 advance and up to 20 years of annual payments. See the Edison Nation Innovator Agreement for full terms.

How do I submit an idea to Edison Nation?

Edison Nation members who have submitted an idea to one search can choose to “opt-in” to a different search if they choose. Insiders may do this for free! Click here to learn more about the Insider program. Points are earned the first time you submit each idea — not on free resubmissions.

How do I edit an existing (or saved) submission?

Click here to view all of your ideas and submissions and click “edit” next to the idea you would like to edit.

Can I opt-out my idea?

Yes. If your idea is not selected – or at any time up until your idea reaches Stage 7 (“Finalist”) – you can opt out of the Live Product Search database at Edison Nation and pursue it independently.

Why do I have to pay $25 to submit an idea?

The first step of each and every submission displays a list of requirements that include the fee for the submission. Each entry will be reviewed by a team of Edison Nation product development and intellectual property experts. Your submission fee helps defray a portion of the actual cost of reviewing each submission.

What does the red X mean? I had submitted my idea and it stopped with a red X.

The red X means your idea has not been selected. If your idea is not selected the rights to your idea automatically revert back to you – all you have to do is click “opt out” next to your idea in your Live Product Search database. Of course, it might be a better fit for a different search – especially if you made it to Stage 7 – so you might consider leaving it in the database and giving it another shot.

If my idea is not selected, will I get my money back?

No. Each entry will be reviewed by a team of product development and intellectual property experts. Your submission fee helps defray a portion of the actual cost of reviewing each submission. If your idea is not selected, you can opt out of the Live Product Search database at Edison Nation and pursue it independently.

What does “Finalist” mean?

This doesn’t guarantee development, but it’s a good thing. “Finalist” means one of the nation’s leading manufacturers or retailers is looking at your idea.

When will I know if you want to turn my idea into a product?

Each person who submits an idea can follow the progress of their idea through the screening process by watching their Edison Nation dashboard, which has eight stages. To view your dashboard, just visit www.edisonnation.com and click “log in.” If your product is selected, Edison Nation will become the owner and care taker of your intellectual property, in exchange for your $2,500 advance and annual payments. Please see the Edison Nation Innovator Agreement for full details on your relationship with Edison Nation.

Can I get feedback on my idea?

Unfortunately, we don’t offer one-on-one feedback for all participants. However, if you are an Edison Insider you can receive direct feedback on any idea that makes it to Finalist stage (G7) and receives an R8. In the case that you are selected as a finalist, but the sponsor does not select your idea, this feedback will help you improve your idea.

If you're not an Edison Insider, consider upgrading now. Click here to learn more about the Insider program.

Please take a moment to review the explanation of our steps. We carefully look at your idea and match it against what that retailer and manufacturer is specifically looking for, as posted in our Live Product Search description. If your idea fails at one of the stages, knowing which stage it failed at can help you improve your idea.

Stage 1: Submission Received Your Submission has been submitted successfully.

Stage 2: Pre-Screen Your submission has met the minimum requirements of the search.

Stage 3: Initial IP Your submission has passed our first round of competitive analysis and intellectual property review.

Stage 4: Research & Design We review and benchmark your submission against competitive products. In some cases, our product designers may enhance your idea to take it to the next level.

Stage 5: Final Consideration We benchmark your submission against the other submissions for the search. The best move forward for more in-depth intellectual property review (stage 6). Key review criteria include: market potential, price point, match for the search sponsor, and any other requirements defined in the search description.

Stage 6: Final IP Review We perform a more in-depth analysis of competing intellectual property, patents and ideas in the public domain.

Stage 7: Finalists This is our final review. If your submission passes this stage, it will be presented to the search sponsor for consideration. (Edison Nation will present all Finalists)

Stage 8: Success If your submission has passed this stage (the exclamation point turns green), it has been selected by the search sponsor to take to market. We will contact you directly with more details and send you your advance payment!

Where can I download and review the legal agreement for Live Product Search?

Click here to download and review the Live Product Search Innovator Agreement.

Do I need a patent to submit my idea?

No.

I have a patent, can I still submit an idea? And if selected, what happens?

Yes. If selected, Edison Nation will be assigned the rights to your patent in exchange for a $2,500 advance and up to 20 years of annual payments. Please see the terms of the Edison Nation Innovator Agreement.

Insider Licensing Program

What is the Insider Licensing Program?

The Insider Licensing Program is exclusive to our Insider members with patented or patent-pending ideas. If you have an idea that's patented or patent-pending and you would like our Licensing team to pursue licensing opportunities on your behalf, submit it to this program.

What are the requirements to participate in the Insider Licensing Program?

In order to submit your idea to the program, you must be an Insider and have a patented or patent-pending idea.

Does my idea qualify for the Insider Licensing Program if I just have a Provisional Patent Application?

Yes. A provisional patent application is easy to file at the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office's website for just $125. Keep in mind that PPAs are only active for one year after the day they are filed. If you only have a limited time left on an active PPA, this makes it difficult for our team to show it to potential licensees for a longer period of time with protection.

What does it cost to participate in the Insider Licensing Program?

It costs $100 to submit your idea for consideration in the Insider Licensing Program. If your idea is accepted into the program, you will have an entire team working on behalf of your idea to see it to market.

Once I submit my invention, what's next?

Preliminary Review. Our team will first perform a preliminary review to ensure your invention meets the program criteria. Factors that might keep your idea from moving forward include: your invention is too cost-prohibitive, has engineering challenges and/or major players in the marketplace have already launched products similar to yours. If none of these apply, your idea will be approved and move on to the preparation phase.

Preparation. At this time, we perform a “best partner” review. We take inventory of our retail and manufacturing contacts and begin to map out just who should learn more about your idea. We conduct a gap analysis and visit the store shelves to understand the market and to get an understanding as to where your idea fits. We develop the materials necessary to position your invention in the best possible light.

Pitching. Your idea moves into “finalist” mode and our team begins proactively pitching your idea. Our team is on the phone, on email and using our proprietary presentation system to get the attention of the industry’s best. When a company expresses interest, we move into term sheets and negotiations. If a company expresses disinterest, we take note of this, too. We stay in constant contact with the licensee until we negotiate the best possible deal for you.

Outcome. In the end, the market decides what products will be successful. There are no guarantees. When the deal is signed, we’ll share the good news with you. If for some reason we are not successful finding the best licensing partner for you, we’ll let you know why and provide you this straightforward feedback as soon as possible.

Will I receive feedback on my idea?

If your idea is not selected for the program, we will provide you with feedback so that you know what's been done, and perhaps what you can or should do next.

What ideas have the Insider Licensing Program team successfully licensed?

We have many products in the pipeline. We work with partners that request confidentiality so as not to inform their competition of new ideas that will be soon coming to market. Every deal is different. For those licensing deals that we've signed and have been approved to share with the Edison Nation community, please visit our blog to read more about their stories.

Sounds great. How do I get started?

If you're an Insider, complete the submission form. If you aren't an Insider, upgrade!

Legal

Click here to download and review the Live Product Search Innovator Agreement.

Click here to download and review the Insider Licensing Program Agreement.