Submitting Ideas to BIG

BIG offers inventors three avenues for submitting their ideas along with clear guidelines, instructive samples, and upfront entry agreements. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

1. Roadshows: Present ideas in person at regional events.
   
   
2. Phone-in Events: Present ideas over the phone to our Bedford, NH offices.
   
   
3. General Mail Submissions: Send your ideas through a mail or fax submission.

Roadshows

Roadshows are your chance to meet with BIG in person for a free, honest, confidential review of your invention. BIG meets with inventors at various cities throughout the U.S. During your scheduled appointment, we'll evaluate your idea or ideas and offer helpful advice. If we think your idea is promising and in an area of interest to us, we might ask to represent it to potential licensing partners.

Roadshow Preparation

Roadshows are private, confidential sessions, and only you, your guest(s), and BIG panelists will see your idea. You will be given a few minutes to set up in one of our private showrooms (we usually stage our events in hotel conference rooms). Please note that we generally do NOT have TVs, VCRs, or computers available. You will have approximately 10 to 20 minutes per invention with the advisory panel and may present up to three inventions. (If you have more ideas than that, please let us know and we may be able to book additional time for you.) Make sure you are well prepared. During the showing, review the key points about your idea as quickly and clearly as possible. Besides asking questions, panel members might make comments and suggestions.

You should bring the following with you:

• A well-articulated idea and clear explanation of the invention--see our Sample Submission for suggested information and presentation
• A signed Entry Agreement

We also prefer but don't require that you submit the following:

• Competitive research and patent research
• Visual or prototype, if possible--even a rough sketch is welcomed
• Any information on patents that you have obtained

Phone-In Events

Phone-in Events are your chance to speak with BIG in person for a free, honest, confidential review of your invention. During your scheduled phone conference, we'll evaluate your idea or ideas and offer helpful advice. If we think your idea is promising and in an area of interest to us, we might ask to represent it to potential licensing partners.

Phone-In Preparation

You should prepare for a Phone-in Event just as you would for a Roadshow submission. The one difference is that all required materials must be received by BIG--via mail or fax--prior to scheduling your conference call.

General Mail Submissions

General mail submissions can be mailed or faxed to BIG at anytime and don't need to be related to an active Hunt or Roadshow. Please only submit product ideas within our current areas of interest. If you're uncertain whether your invention is in an area of interest to BIG, email us at info@bigideagroup.net

Requirements for Mail Submissions

The process for submitting an idea via mail includes

1. Complete this Pre-Submission Registration Form.
   We will review your registration and contact you with addtional information to assist in your mail submission.
   
2. Prepare and submit the following materials via mail or fax:
   • Write a well-articulated idea summary
     (see Sample Submission)
   • Print and sign our Entry Agreement

We also prefer but don't require that inventors submit the following:

• Competitive research and patent research
• Visual or prototype, if possible--even a rough sketch is welcomed
• Any information on patents that you have obtained

You do NOT need a patent, trademark, or copyright on your idea.

The following resources will assist you in preparing your submissions:

Target our Areas of Interest

Understand BIG's Process

Review our Legal Agreements

Read our Sample Submission

Complete the
Pre-Submission Form