Independent Inventors:
Start Your Journey Here
New England Invents is a dynamic 501(c)(3) non-profit that educates, promotes, and supports independent inventors.
What We Offer
Speaker Series
Online and in-person seminars where inventors learn from industry experts and also get the opportunity to meet with other inventors.
Product Pitch
Opportunity for inventors to present their products to a panel of experts. Inventors will receive constructive feedback and input on how to improve their pitch.
1 on 1 Consulting
In-person or virtual consulting with an expert at any time during an inventor’s commercialization journey.
Why become a member?
Need Help on your Journey from Idea to Market Ready Product?
- One-on-one mentorship/consulting with NEI executives.
- Participation in private and group pitch sessions.
- Monthly seminars with industry experts.
- Networking events with peers and prospects
- Visibility for your product in NEI newsletter, social media, and website.
- Safe and collaborative community to grow your ideas
- Custom expert guidance on pitch decks and other marketing materials.
Affordable
NEI memberships are only $40/year.
Community
NEI members are part of a supportive and collaborative community of like-minded individuals who provide a safe and nurturing environment to grow your ideas.
Flexible Learning Options
NEI offers flexible education through seminars, one-on-one consulting, and an upcoming online certification course, catering to independent inventors of all backgrounds.
Mentorship
NEI membership offers valuable mentorship from successful inventors, providing honest guidance throughout your product's journey.
Member Spotlight
At NEI, our members are at the heart of everything we do. They’re not just part of our community; they’re the driving force behind our mission to support and promote the incredible inventions, products, and accomplishments they bring to the table. Keep an eye on this space to see which member we’re spotlighting next.
Donna Lee
A big congratulations to NEI member Donna Lee whose product, R-YOLO, was granted a utility patent December 2023. R-Yolo is a one of a kind washable, machine dryable, sustainable mat made with non-PVC materials.
Additionally, R-YOLO showcased as a trunk show vendor at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ, from March 17th to March 21st, 2024, at the 1st Enchant beauty and wellness event.
Founded in 2021, R-YOLO was created to revolutionize the PVC mat industry. PVC, a known carcinogen, goes against the principles of yoga, yet remains the go-to material for mats users. R-YOLO is crafted from luxurious Turkish cotton, making it hypoallergenic and offering unparalleled comfort and grip in any pose.
R-YOLO’s exclusivity as part of the OSCAR swag bags and its status as the exclusive mat of Canyon Ranch, along with collaborations with other luxury resorts in the US and Caribbean, highlight its premium quality and desirability.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Sign up to receive the latest news, invitations to upcoming events, news and events in the independent inventing world, spotlights on our members, and more.
Check out previous editions of the NEI newsletter.
What Our Members Say
New England Invents has been extremely supportive of my business development. I participated in a tremendous pitch event, where I received great feedback and met many inspiring leaders. The organization has helped me network with other inventors and entrepreneurs, connect with business resources, and learn from experienced mentors to help develop my business. As a transitioning Army service member and veteran, it is difficult to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurism and inventorship. However, New England Invents is a great resource and community to find success and develop meaningful relationships.
PARTNER WITH NEW ENGLAND INVENTS TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT INVENTORS
Organizations and Corporations can partner with us to make innovation inclusive for independent inventors of all backgrounds working to turn product ideas into reality.
Our Partners
What Are We Working On?
Educational Certification Course
NEI is developing a 12-part course covering each step of the product commercialization lifecycle. Some of the topics include intellectual property protection, product pitch, funding, prototyping, marketing and PR, licensing, manufacturing, and retails sales.
The certification course is designed to offer an immersive learning experience for students by incorporating video interviews with various subject matter experts as well as real-life tasks that simulate practical scenarios such as obtaining a business loan.
This course will launch September 2024.
Educational Certification Course
NEI is developing a 12-part course covering each step of the product commercialization lifecycle. Some of the topics include intellectual property protection, product pitch, funding, prototyping, marketing and PR, licensing, manufacturing, and retails sales.
The certification course is designed to offer an immersive learning experience for students by incorporating video interviews with various subject matter experts as well as real-life tasks that simulate practical scenarios such as obtaining a business loan.
This course will launch September 2024.
Product Workshop Course
NEI is developing a two-day workshop where participants will work in teams to solve everyday problems with a new consumer product concept.
By the end of the workshop, participants not only will have learned about the process of product ideation, but also product manufacturability and marketability.
The product workshop will launch Summer 2024.
UPCOMING EVENTS
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Check out Past Events
September 28, 2023 Jules Pieri and the Role of Innovation in Product Development
Co-founder & Former CEO of The Grommet 🔹 Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs (2013) 🔹 Goldman Sachs’s 100 Most Interesting Entrepreneurs (2014) 🔹 Entrepreneur in Residence Emeritus at Harvard Business School 🔹 Member at G20 Ventures 🔹 Investing Partner at XFactor Ventures
From her roots as an industrial designer to her executive roles at iconic brands like Keds, Stride Rite, and Playskool, Jules’s journey is a true testament to innovation and entrepreneurship. Join us on September 28th for a conversation filled with invaluable insights and visionary strategies that have shaped the business landscape.
August 14, 2023 How to Increase Your Chances of Licensing Your Product
Sit down with us as we speak with Michael Miller. Michael is the Former Director of Product Partnerships for NCH Corporation where he led the Product Partnership Program for three companies within NCH corporation: Hero Pet Brands, Plumbing Products Group, and LSP company. Brands include Danco, Danco Next, Go Bidet, Disposal Genie, RediTape, MJSI, Rapid Fit, Pull stop Box, and Aqua- Flo. NCH products are carried at Walmart, Home Depot, Target, Lowes, Amazon, True Value, Menards, Petco, Pet Smart, KB Homes, ACE, Bed Bath and Beyond, QVC, and more.
Michael currently works as an independent consultant developing open innovation programs for several large consumer products companies. He is also an inventor himself, having licensed multiple products.
May 17, 2023 Fast Tracking the Patent Process
NEI hosted the USPTO in discussing their exciting new First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program in person at UMass Lowell Innovation Hub Haverhill.
This pilot program is available to applicants with “micro entity status” (gross income of $212,352 or less). And it will particularly benefit inventors in historically under-served geographic and economic areas.
Typically, a patent applicant will wait upwards of two years before receiving a patent examiner’s written notice of findings (“office action”) on a patent application. With this new First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program, most applicants will receive their office action in less than one month. By lowering time barriers as well as application fees for independent inventors who might otherwise be unable to participate in the patent system, this initiative will greatly accelerate a key milestone in the commercialization of their innovations.
Brannon Smith, Legal Advisor in the USPTO’s Office of Patent Legal Administration, will explain program requirements and how to apply. There will be time for Q&A, as well. More information about this program can be found on the USPTO website.