A friend once told me something that resonated: If you really want to define your purpose and benefit in life, understand what pisses you off… then do the complete opposite. Well, being an inventor myself and having worked in and around thousands of new products most of my career, it's really bothered me how much of the support networks and “professional” services offered to inventors and start-ups miss the mark in helping people get off the ground.
Several years ago I became involved with The Inventors Association of Manhattan (IAM) and have been President since January 2013.
A non-profit organization, the mission of the IAM is to create an environment conducive to education, empowerment and networking for all kinds of inventors and entrepreneurs. We have over 1,500 registered members with 35-45 attendees per meeting.
We meet each month and play host to a variety of speakers about current events relevant to entrepreneurs. Following the speaker, we hold an interactive session called Pitching Panel. Think Shark Tank without the money, TV drama or billionaire egos.
Perhaps the best thing about The Inventors Association of Manhattan is that it is in Manhattan. Why is that important? Well, Manhattan has a density of great people and ideas; and also incredible diversity. Our ranks include college students, successful Wall Street executives and wise octogenarians. With New York City being the crossroads of the world, we’ve even had people join while on business trips or vacations from the Czech Republic, South Africa and Colombia, to name a few.
If you have an invention or new business idea (or know someone that does), you may be interested in attending one of our monthly meetings; always the second Monday of the month in The Chrysler Building, 6:30 pm. Sign up is efficient at our Meet-up site.
We are always looking for interesting speakers whether they be successful inventors, entrepreneurs or companies looking for interesting innovations.
Bruce Zutler
Venn Products Group
80 Skyline Drive
Plainview, NY 11803 Map
+1 (516) 822-1561
bruce@vennproducts.com
