Below are some good links for individuals and companies beginning the invention/product development process and start-up companies in need of helpful information. The Williamsport/Lycoming KIZ can assist you with the product development process and connect you with valuable partners and resources to help you along the way.
BusinessGrower.com / Central PA Entrepreneurial Assistance Network: A website of the Central Pennsylvania Entrepreneurial Assistance Network. Provides useful information and links for entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneur’s Guide: A thorough and helpful PDF document and handbook developed by the state to help people start a business in PA. Note that the document is fairly large so it may take some time to download.
Free Patents Online: Another free patent search database, offering keyword searches and downloadable PDFs. *Requires you to set up a login and password (free).
Google Patents: A free web search site developed by Google to search for patents. Easy to keyword search, download PDFs of existing patents, etc.
Google Products: A free web search site that allows you to search for products available on the market. Easy to do keyword searches on concepts, and results provide photos and descriptions when available.
Invent Yourself Rich: Don Brown’s blog. Don is the successful inventor of the Ab Roller, author of the book Invent Yourself Rich, and strategic partner of the Williamsport/Lycoming KIZ. On his site Don posts information to help inventors. Inventors can also sign up for his free weekly email tips and videos.
Inventor Spot: A source of daily articles on the latest inventions, innovations and interesting ideas, news about inventors and inventions. Get inventor advice and access their collection of features and services designed to help the independent inventor.
James V. Brown Library Wright Business Center: The James V. Brown Library provides access to great books and reputable databases to help an inventor research their ideas, industries, potential markets, learn about starting a business, etc. The resources are free with a library card. And the majority of databases are available online from any computer, 24 hours a day, with your library card!
Keystone Innovation Zone Program Information: General information on the statewide KIZ program.
KIZ Partners: Visit this page to see the partners of our KIZ and the services they provide.
Main Streets of Lycoming County: The Main Street program is a state program that encourages revitalization of downtowns. Specifically, the Williamsport Main Street District is designated at as Williamsport/Lycoming KIZ.
New PA: The Keystone Innovation Zone program is funded through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). Also companies and individuals can research financing opportunities and other DCED programs through this website.
North Central PA SCORE Chapter: SCORE – “Counselors to America’s Small Business” – is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. We have an office located in Williamsport.
Other KIZs in Pennsylvania: Visit this page for a list of the KIZs in Pennsylvania.
PA Angel Network: A statewide organization that supports over 2,000 angel investors in the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvania Open For Business: A website for filing necessary paperwork online to start a business in Pennsylvania, such as incorporation, fictitious name filing, etc.
Plastics SourceNet: Website for the U.S. Government’s Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy (STOP) initiative to help U.S. companies protect their intellectual property.Serving the technology and training needs of Pennsylvania’s plastics manufacturers and entrepreneurs. (Organization start-up funded through a Keystone Innovation Grant awarded to Penn College through the KIZ program.)Stop Fakes
Trade Show Network: A trade show directory, for exposition and exhibitor tradeshow services and tradeshow supplies.
United Inventors Association: The United Inventors Association (UIA) is a tax-exempt, not for profit corporation formed in 1990 solely for educational purposes. Their website contains information and resources to help you with your invention.
United States Copyright Office: The official website for the U.S. Copyright Office. You can search for registered copyrights and learn the basics of copyright.
United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): The official website for the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Patent and Trademark Office. You can search and file for patents and trademarks on this site. Also the USPTO offers free informational sessions around the U.S. and their event schedule is available through their site.
USPTO Inventor Resources: This is an excellent page of information relating to basic terminology, and provides a link to the USPTO “complaints” page which lists published complaints concerning invention promotion companies.
USPTO’s Inventor’s Assistance Center (IAC): The IAC provides patent information and service to the public. Please visit this website to learn what the IAC can and cannot assist with.