Protection of your idea
Protecting your idea is important for the future success of your start-up company. Some considerations:

• Contact Partnerships & Innovation when having a start-up idea and want to maintain confidentiality of this idea.
• Familiarize yourself with Intellectual Property policy (IP policy).
• Find the right team members for your start-up.
• Network with other entrepreneurs, funding agencies, industry representatives, and potential inventors with out disclosing details of your idea unless working under a Mutual Confidentiality Agreement (doc).
• Prepare and practice a company pitch for both potential investors and costumers. Be concise and assertive.

Assessment of your idea
An initial meeting with a Technology Transfer Specialist is recommended.  Some of the aspects to have ready for this initial meeting include:

• Idea description.
• Brief summary of the idea.
• Target/potential customers for this invention.
• Novelty of the idea, direct and indirect competitors.
• Team members to develop this venture with.
• Possible source of funding.