Idea Generation

The Foundry's projects originate from a variety of sources, including internal research, outside inventors, and university collaborations. Historically, one-half of The Foundry's companies have come from outside inventors. The following descriptions focus on Foundry/inventor partnerships, but the steps taken towards company founding are similar regardless of origin.

• In-House Research - The Foundry^® Team identifies promising and underserved clinical areas, studies the market, clinical and technical dynamics of the field, and conducts targeted brainstorming and technology research in these areas. If a truly breakthrough solution is identified for a significant clinical problem the process of company generation begins.

• Outside Inventors - Physicians, nurses, engineers, patients - the next major breakthrough can come from anyone, anywhere. But not everyone has the time or resources to turn those ideas into reality. For those creative individuals, The Foundry provides the necessary experience, team, financing, and facilities to speed those ideas to market.

Idea Submission
Getting an idea to The Foundry is easy. Simply document the idea, and then contact
The Foundry:

• Documenting an Idea - It is critical for inventors to protect their inventions by documenting their ideas thoroughly before sharing them with others. Although it is optimal to file a patent, there are other ways to document inventions, including preparing a detailed disclosure of the invention. Any variations of the idea should be included, along with the most likely way to build or formulate the invention, likely materials, etc. Anything that is known about the concept should be documented. Inventors should sign and date the disclosure, and then have a witness (not a co-inventor,) read and countersign the disclosure.

• Contacting The Foundry - The Foundry's foremost concern in initial conversations is protecting the confidentiality of the inventor and his or her ideas. Initial conversations can be general and non-confidential, but a Confidentiality Agreement can be signed before discussing proprietary details.