Last week I came up with an idea for a product, and spent endless hours on this forum reading up on everything to do with inventing. So first, thanks to everyone for having so much information here, it was extremely helpful.

I’ve never invented anything, and the product idea came from one of those “I wish they made…” thoughts.

I spent the week researching the idea, creating a cover a letter and a sell sheet, and figuring my options for submitting it somewhere. I found two companies, again through posts here, that seemed a good fit, and emailed a request to submit my idea over the weekend (with no details on the idea itself). This morning I received emails from both with NDAs to sign and send off the idea. I want to send to my first choice first, then wait to hear back before sending to my second choice.

Before I send it though, should I apply for a provisional patent too? Or is their NDAs good enough to protect me? Should I submit to both companies at the same time? Any advice would be much appreciated.