How to Get Funding for an Invention

Inventions are exciting to investors — but you should protect yours before you pitch. With a timestamped record, an NDA, and (for a true invention) a provisional patent, you can share it safely and get it funded.

Your main funding options

• Bootstrapping or friends & family for the first push.
• Small-business loans or grants (great for local, physical businesses).
• Angel investors — individuals who back early ideas, often $5k–$250k.
• Crowdfunding, if your idea has a built-in fanbase.

What funders want to see for an invention

• What it is and the problem it solves — clearly, without needing your secret sauce.
• Protection in place: a timestamped record, an NDA, and ideally 'patent pending.'
• A prototype, sketch, or any proof it works and people want it.

The fastest way to get in front of investors

You don't need connections. On IdeaVault, you submit an invention confidentially — it's protected with an NDA and a timestamped record — and you get matched with an angel investor within 72 hours. Investors browse and pick the ideas they want to fund. It's free to submit.