Hi all,
So I once was an active member a few years back on this site.
During this time I submitted several ideas, some ended with a R1 well others made it all the way to a R8.
I'm writing this to hopefully provide an honest opinion of this site based on my own experience with Edison Nation, and hopefully this post will be allowed to remain posted.
Now before I continue for the record as I'm sure there will be plenty of comments heading my way for writing this,
I would like to state, I'm not some ego maniac who is un able to accept rejection.
I also have a full understanding of the idea of "collective thinking" and what you believe is a unique concept turning out
not to be so.
Here is my story about an idea I submitted to one of EDISON NATIONS sponsored searches, and how it effected
my opinion of the site.
The search was for new toy concepts featuring Roger Shiffman, best known for running the company that created
the furby toy.
It was 2017 and at the time I was freelancing for several fast fashion companies. Regularly I would receive new
fabrics from our overseas factories for inspirations.
So one day I received this super cool fabric that changed colors and was super addictive to play with, right away I
was thinking this needs to be made into a toy! After hours of online searching, I did not find one toy
utilizing this material...as of yet.
I knew this idea was a winner! I looked into sourcing and other resources to simply produce a prototype of my idea,
thats when I saw the Edison nations toy idea search, almost like it was serendipity.
So I put together my presentation and submitted it to the search. My submission included video of fabric samples drawings and additional ideas for production (as in it was clear cut) it quickly passed the first three screening sections
(meaning Edisons "official" trademark and copyright search as well turned up nothing like this)
Then my idea made it all the way to the final round, which means that it would be reviewed and considered by Roger shiffman himself.
I thought great because even if Roger doesn't go for it, Edison has partnerships with so many other companies that produce toys ex: Hasboro. figuring if an idea has made it to the final round Edison must at least realize its potential.
So in the end as I'm sure you who are reading this you guessed already, I received a R8. Reason that it was ultimately rejected was simply due to the fact that it look like another top brand, which for me didn't really make sense as I had provided a concept that easily could've been altered to fix this concern. As well the brand they were referring to did not utilize this material at all.
So that was that.
So again if you haven't guessed yet, this "magical unique material" I was talking about was reversible mermaid
sequins.
In case you've been living under a rock for the last two years its that fabric that is now on every toy in the store, if
you have a child from age 0-18 simply take a look into there room and I'm positive you will find something with this.
Shimmeez the biggest " reversible sequin" branded toy from the "Hollywood teddy bear company" released in 2018 was actually named in "The national" as one of the best new toys brand of 2018.
So here I am a once avid defender of the Edison nation model, but now left with a nasty taste in my mouth.
Do I believe my idea was stolen by Edison nation, no (and really how would I prove that if I did)
Should I have trusted my instinct and followed through with my concept despite the R8 received, clearly yes.
I guess the real issues in the end for me is that I trusted Edison nation to actually give my concept a real chance,
and it seemed like as soon as it was marked to R8 it was thrown away without further consideration.
I don't believe any company that was actually interested in making money of its members concepts would disregard
potential money making ideas so easily, nor would the only charge 20$ for professional consideration.
This is why my final conclusion of This site is that it is more of an outlet to submit ideas vs bringing your ideas to life.
I say that not as a negative, as I believe that some people really do benefit from constructive criticism or simply being forced to think out side the box. Creativity is great for the sole. Who knows perhaps this site has been an amazing outlet for new inventor simply wanting a reason to start creating.
Regardless I know based on my experience that any ideas I have that I know are Golden will now go straight to potential investors or industry people (especially when its market place time sensitive)
The simple fact is that the big selling products you see listed on the front page of the site . (eggie, bacon bowl etc are few in the many) and if there are members making money on other ideas I have yet to see any updates apart from the very closely constructive community.
Will I still submit ideas to Edison in the future?
Maybe, reason being I still like that Edison Nation searches as they do inspire creativity within me which for me is relaxing.
Hey 20$ is cheaper then a massage.
However lets just say my expectations of the outcome are far far more realistic now, as should everyone elses.
Thanks for reading :)