How to find out if your idea is not already there, and find someone who can help you to make a prototype and fund it.
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Would love to have these answered!
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Hi @angelfun2002 and @conilnj - welcome to the community! Great to have you both here 
Your question is a smart one, and something every inventor should think about early on. Here’s a simple 3-step path to help you get started:
1. Check if your idea already exists
You want to know if your invention is new (or different enough). Try these tools:
Google & Amazon Search — See what’s already out there.
Google Patents: https://patents.google.com
USPTO Patent Search: Patent Public Search | USPTO
WIPO PatentScope (for international searches): https://patentscope.wipo.int/
Tip: Don’t be discouraged if similar products exist. Focus on how yours improves on them.
2. Find help with prototyping
Once you’re confident your idea has potential, it’s time to bring it to life.
TinkerCAD (https://www.tinkercad.com/) — A free, beginner-friendly tool for simple 3D designs
Fiverr or Upwork — Hire freelance engineers or designers for CAD drawings or 3D modeling
Brian Fried – Invention Help: Invention Help - Brian Fried — Get guidance from an experienced inventor and product developer
Local Makerspaces — Find a nearby makerspace where you can build prototypes or get help (search on https://makexyz.com or https://www.nationofmakers.us)
Post here in the forum! Lots of fellow inventors have gone through the same journey and may have contacts or advice.
3. Funding your invention
Funding can come from many places, here are a few starting points:
Kickstarter (https://kickstarter.com) or Indiegogo (https://indiegogo.com) — Crowdfunding platforms for early-stage ideas
SBDC (Small Business Development Center) — Offers free help with business planning and can connect you to funding resources (https://americassbdc.org/find-your-sbdc/)
Pitch Competitions — Local incubators, universities, and business groups often host events where you can win funding or support- Inventor Smart Community App — This very platform! We often post about funding resources, events, and opportunities you can tap into.
If you’re not sure which step to take next, feel free to share more (just be cautious about sharing too much in public before protecting your idea). We’re here to help!
Keep going!
— Andy
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