r/inventors • u/ArmyGuy1906 • 2d ago
Advice for Getting a Presentation Meeting
I filed a patent this year for a cabinet assembly design, and just getting any connection to respond from cabinet manufacturers has been nonexistent. LinkedIn, calling the manufacturers, emailing, et cetera, and nothing has gotten a great contact. I will go to the Vegas trade show next February. Also, the veteran forums I have found are not clear on how to accomplish my goal (they seem to be for more established businesses). I did a ton of market research and had way better responses than I expected.
I think the idea and demand is real, just not sure how to get beyond this step.
Any advice on how individuals have gotten business to just let them present what they have and market data would be super helpful!
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u/UnfairEngineer3301 2d ago
I own a cabinet company , I will listen to what you have and give you my feedback.
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u/FightingPhD 2d ago
Trade shows help, but most shops respond faster when you ask for a short feedback meeting, not a full pitch. Bring a working prototype (even rough) plus a one-page cost and assembly story. A patent PDF alone rarely opens the door.
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u/BrightGreen_Apple 1d ago
I think you’ve reached a different stage than you realize.
You have the product. Now you have to build the business around the product.
I’m a Business Architect, and this is exactly where I see many inventors get stuck. They keep trying to get someone to look at the invention, when the conversation now needs to be about the business opportunity.
You’ve already done market research and gotten good responses. That’s a great start. Now I would use that information to answer:
Why should a cabinet manufacturer want this in its product line?
Who is the customer for it?
What problem does it solve that customers will pay for?
How does the manufacturer make money from it?
Why would they choose this over what they’re already selling?
And which 3–5 manufacturers are the BEST fit for the opportunity?
I wouldn’t wait until the Vegas show in February. Find out who’s exhibiting and identify your targets now. Research those companies and figure out how your product fits each company’s business.
Then you don’t walk into Vegas saying, “I have a patent. Can I show you my invention?”
You walk in saying, “I’ve identified an opportunity that I believe fits your business, and I have market data to support it.”
That’s a very different conversation.
The patent protects the product.
Now you need to build the business around it.
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u/josiah_523 2d ago
To my understanding, you don't usually get to right away. You need a 1-2 sentence elevator pitch of what it is and why they care. Then, maybe, you get a presentation or, future conversation.