Firm expands services to support grassroots inventors

Intrepid Plastics Manufacturing has launched a new division called Intrepid Idea Innovators (i2i). According to company President Bonnie Knopf, this new service will not only help bridge the gap between idea and prototype, but help spur innovation, especially at the grassroots inventor level.

Knopf indicates that many inventors spend a great deal of time and money during the early stages of invention because they did not have access to the resources to get started properly.

"Before, they would get a design and build a tool which is often beyond the point of further design," Knopf says. "Changes then would require extra work. With our new division, our help begins in the early stages of development so that there is less redesign."

Knopf, both through her involvement with Intrepid and local inventor networks, is seeing a growth in the inventor markets, especially grassroots inventors who do not have the experience or resources of their corporate brethren.

"The inventors' market is strong, but many are risking their savings," she says. "Our services will provide a less expensive route to get products made."

Knopf strongly encourages inventors to get help through many of the free services offered by organizations like SCORE, MI-SBDTC and GRIN.

"The first thing is to talk to others," she advises. "Many individuals protect idea too much and they don't do anything. These organizations provide a safe environment to discuss the idea and provide help."

To learn more about the services offered by i2i, you can visit their website here.

Source: Bonnie Knopf, Intrepid Plastics
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs Editor