The Game-Ski, or Supido Hyper Drive, is a portable platform for mounting computer game controllers, laptops and hobby or craft work-pieces in a convenient position whilst seated in an arm chair. Peter's invention is now available through www.Amazon.com.
We believe that the inventive process is best described as “Eating the Elephant” – you can only do it a bite at a time and it is a huge task. Peter Martin took three years and an admirable amount of effort and perseverance to eat his “Game Ski” elephant!
Peter’s exciting idea is beautifully simple and effective. However, like many lone inventors, he was short of time and money right from the start of his project. Also, like many inventors he put all his eggs in one basket when a major company became interested in his product. When this company backed out, Peter had lost eight months and his UK patent was under pressure, if he wanted to extend it overseas.
Although a client of the, then, Wessex Innovation Service, Peter seems to have been reluctant to ask for more help – again not unusual in the lone inventor – and repeated the error of pursuing a relationship with one company which, again fell over.
Finally, Peter took the unusual step of advertising locally for a financial backer and, despite more stumbles and contractual alarms, he now has a viable package in place - three years after he hand made his original GRP prototype in his garden shed.
The key lessons from Peter’s experience are - the importance of perseverance; having, and following, a well thought out project plan; the need to keep the inventive project moving forward as quickly possible to keep costs down – and avoid being beaten to the market.
As a complete novice to the world of inventing and product development, taking the first tentative step of contacting, what was then, the Wessex Innovation Service was, possibly, the single most important part of the development of my project. From my first meeting with my advisor, Ken Teal, I was able to form a realistic overview of what my project represented, and what possibly lay ahead. It was a vital reality check! My involvement with, what is now, the Inventor Qest service, introduced me to procedures and disciplines that have enabled me to talk to, and work with, some of the mightiest of the business world. This has built up my self-confidence, giving me the belief and assurance that I would be taken seriously.
Taking an invention from concept to full development requires patience, determination and self-belief. There are many ups and downs, but keeping things simple and your eyes firmly on your goal counts for a lot. Don’t be afraid to put any new advice into practice. Targeting relevant people along your journey and simply picking up the phone and calling them can sometimes achieve a tremendous amount!
For their part, I found the Inventor Qest team to be very approachable and human. Help was always offered and an answer always given. Their support and, when needed, their active encouragement, have played a big part in helping me stay focused and determined. For that I will be eternally grateful.
Peter Martin.
Protecting your idea.