ML:
There are many service bureaus in CA, and the LA area. Use our SB directory to find 2
or 3 near you and visit them in person. You want to both establish a relationship and to
learn enough about the technology to see whether you need it all, and which method is best
for your situation. Some of the SB's are vertically integrated and can provide complete
services from design to tooling. We don't generally make company-specific recommendations,
however.
If you aren't experienced in intellectual property, product development, raising
capital, marketing and manufacturing it's important for you to find someone who is. It's
preferable to find someone close to home. I offer consulting services in all these fields,
but I'm located in the Boston area. Much can be accomplished by phone and email, but still
face to face is best. You can read something of my background here:
http://home.att.net/~castleisland/eg1.htm
I've also attached a resume and consulting brochure in a small zip file. Terms for new
clients are payment in advance until a track record is established.
You should probably do 3 things in parallel in trying to get value out of your idea: 1)
Talk to the SB's and get some idea of costs and manufacturing issues; 2) thorough
patentability search; 3) guerrilla marketing - Make sure someone wants badly to buy what
you're intending to sell. You should do this work before investing in prototypes.
Thanks and regards,
Ed
Ed Grenda
Castle Island Co.
The Worldwide Guide to Rapid Prototyping
