During the past few weeks, I have been helping a person I don’t know and have only met once via a Skype video call get feedback about his medical device concept. The person did not offer me any compensation, nor did I request any payment. I just offered to put some feelers out and see what kind of feedback and responses I could get.
Why? I know I have a top-notch network and am either already connected or easily could be connected with physicians who can and will provide feedback for the inventor. I know that I can help this person understand the medical device product development process just a little better. I know that if the idea isn’t worth pursuing, taking this approach makes the best sense for the inventor–spend as little as possible to find out if the idea is worth taking to the next step. I believe if the idea has merit, this inventor (and maybe others like him) will have an interest in working with Creo Quality.
Yes, it’s definitely a “pay it forward” kind of strategy. Yes, I realize I may never receive any revenue from doing something like this. And that’s okay.
While the feedback is still coming in, I did get one response from an expert in this particular device space. The expert is very interested in helping with a prototype and other business development / research activities. I connected him directly with the inventor.