Info & FAQ

• Submissions
• Timelines
• FAQs
  • Protection
    • Who retains the rights of the submitted ideas?
    • How shall I best protect my idea?
    • What does 'Invented in Utah' do to protect submitted ideas?
  • Compete
    • Who can participate?
    • Who will be the judging panel be composed of?
    • What judging criteria will be used?
    • How do I submit my idea?
    • How do I submit payment?
    • What will increase my likelihood of advancing to the Top 25?
    • What should I know about presenting at the Top 25, Top 10, and Top Judging rounds?
    • How will entrants be notified if their invention advances?
    • How are awards dispersed?
    • What kinds of awards consist of support services?
    • Resubmit application after Courses?
    • What resources are available at the judging rounds?

Submission

Submission Track - A modest $20 submission fee is required by all inventors / groups to cover processing and event costs. The submission fee is a one time fee and covers unlimited invention submission. The $20 fee is to be paid at the time the application is submitted and affords the inventor's the following:

• Application will be accepted and considered for advancement to the judging rounds.
• Access to the Symposium with a coaching track.
• The Top 25 may choose to include a brief description of their Invention and Contact Information under the CONNECT tab.
• Recieve exclusive discounts from 'Invented in Utah' sponsors.

Timelines

• 16 September 2008: 'Invented in Utah' begins accepting submissions
• 14 February Symposium
• 28 February 2009: Applications close @ 12 midnight
• 2 March 2009: Top 25 posted to 'Invented in Utah' website
• 14 March 2009: Top 25 Judging Round - Top 10 Advance
• 28 March 2009: Top 10 Judging Round - Top 3 advance
• 9 April 2009: Final Judging Gala

FAQs

Protection

Who retains the rights of the submitted ideas?

'Invented in Utah' does not seek any ownership interests in any of the ideas submitted to this event. By submitting, the entrant in no way gives up ownership of or rights to intellectual property in any degree.

How shall I protect my idea?

It is the sole responsibility of the entrant to protect his/her ideas. We strongly encourage entrants to make the following efforts to protect their ideas:

Attend the IP Coaching session, keep a well documented 'idea' journal, and file for a provisional patent and/or a full patent.

IIU is proud to partner with its IP Sponsors for this event and recommend them as a worthy experts in IP.

What does 'Invented in Utah' do to protect submitted ideas?

We at 'Invented in Utah' understand the importance of protecting any and all intellectual property. To this end we require the following:

• NDA's to be signed by all personnel, judges, and sponsors who are privy to any submission.
• Any entrant can receive a copy of an NDA signed by those listed above for their own records upon request. 'Invented in Utah' also keeps copies of these forms.
• Receive express permission from the entrant prior to posting a brief description of the invention on the 'Invented in Utah' website.

Compete

Who can participate?

Participants must have a legal residence in Utah and be at least 18 years of age. Existing small businesses must have a primary business presence in Utah, having annual revenues less than $5 million. The idea or invention being submitted must not yet be introduced into the market and must not have generated formal sales revenue.

What judging criteria will be used?

It is up the Entrant to convince judges that the entry should be advanced based on the following criteria:

• Useful – The size of the market for which the idea fills a want/need
• Marketable – The degree of response from the target market
• Manufacturable – The invention could be manufactured in the next 18 – 24 months
• Unique and Innovative – The application is unique and currently not on the market
• Emotive – The invention stimulates a emotional connection with the judges

How do I submit my idea?

Applications may be submitted using the following options:

• Email: submission@inventedinutah.com
• Mail: Invented in Utah, 100 South 300 West, Provo, UT 84606
• Fax: 1.801.373.1097

How do I submit payment?

The $20 submission fee must be paid by check. The submission fee allows for unlimited invention submissions. It should be made out to 'Invented in Utah' and sent to:

Invented in Utah
100 South 300 West
Provo, UT 84606

What will increase my likelihood of advancing to the Top 25?

The inventions most likely to advance are those that clearly SHOW that merit of the invention as per the judging criteria. The following recommendations should be given attention to:

• Attend the coaching tracks at the symposium– particularly on Business Plans and Presentation and Marketing.
• Be clear and concise in your descriptions; more is not necessarily better.
• Pictures, prototypes, video, drawings, etc. Anything that shows the concept in action is beneficial.

What should I know about presenting at the Top 25, Top 10, and Top Judging rounds?

The same qualities needed to advance into the Top 25 are needed during each of the presentation rounds. Added to this is the fact that the presentation is interactive and dynamic. All members of the Top 25 will have access to additional Coaching Sessions; attend them. As outlined in the application prepare by discussing not only what problem you are looking to solve, but the potential size and characteristics of that market, and how your invention specifically provides a solution to that need.

How will entrants be notified if their invention advances?

The names (and invention if the entrant selects) will be posted on the website by the Tuesday following (2 March) submission closing and the Tuesday following (17 March and 31 March respectively) each of the Judging Rounds. Those who advance will also be contacted by phone to discuss preparations for the upcoming judging rounds. All will be contacted through email by the following Thursday.

How are awards dispersed?

The final event will feature the Top 3 inventors and their inventions. Each will present to the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum and other guests. Following the presentations, each member of the forum will be able to rank each invention as they deem deserving.

• The first place invention will receive a minimum of $10,000 in support services.
• The second place invention will receive a minimum of $6,500 in support services.
• The third place invention will receive a minimum of $3,500 in support services.

What kinds of awards consist of support services?

The support services have been generously donated by our sponsors. The awards are designed to provide the Top 3 inventions with the services needed to get to the next stage of development and ultimately to market. These include IP, product development, presentation and marketing, coaching and mentor, etc.

Resubmit application after Courses?

Yes. Many will find that following the General Coaching Sessions, they will wish to present their inventions in a different manner; this may give them the greater opportunity to be advanced to the Top 25. If you wish so to do, please notify 'Invented in Utah' personnel and resubmit the application with the note: *Re-Submission* at the top of the front page.

What resources are available at the judging rounds?

At the Top 25 and Top 10 judging rounds, presentations will occur in a board room setting. Presenters will have a table and access to either a projector or a TV screen with sound. There will also be an easel with a writing tablet made available. Other materials can be provided upon request but are not guaranteed.

The Top 3 Gala will feature more resources which will be communicated to the Top 3 in a timely manner.