FGCU hosts Edison Inventors workshop

Florida Gulf Coast University Small Business Development Center, Edison Inventors and Planet Eureka hosts the Innovation Roadshow Workshop, Saturday, Sept. 26, at Lutgert Hall on campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m..

The workshop will be led by Ken Bloemer, executive director of Planet Eureka, who will help inventors translate and value their innovation and articulate their ideas in language that excites buyers, licensees, investors, distributors, manufactures and others. The Planet Eureka Innovation Roadshow is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology/ Manufacturing Extension Program Network and Merwyn Research Inc.

The workshops begin in the morning with a highly interactive session focused on translating inventions into language that lures business partners. Inventors learn a concept, work individually and then pair up with fellow inventors to give and receive feedback.

In the afternoon, participants go live online with their wireless laptops to www.PlanetEureka.com and submit their invention on the spot. Facilitators are on hand to help with concept writing and answer questions related to the MBS inputs. The questions can be viewed anytime to help prepare for the workshop at www.PlanetEureka.org and clicking Submit/Test Innovation.

The workshop includes creating a research and market report that provides an annual sales forecast, fair market royalty and more.

"We are very excited to take part in this unique opportunity," said Dan Regelski, executive director of the SBDC. "We know how entrepreneurs are dedicated to their ideas and we support them by hosting events such as the Innovation Workshop."

The fee to attend the event is $50 and includes lunch and beverages. A 50 percent discount will be offered to EIA members in good standing, SBDC clients and FGCU staff and students. EIA members must bring their ID cards at time of check-in. Seating is limited to the first 40 paid registrants. To make a reservation, go to the SBDC Web site http://cli.fgcu. edu/sbdc/seminars.asp or call the SBDC office at 745-3700.