Continuing the LES commitment to innovation education, Larry Udell, Founder and Chair-Emeritus of the LES Silicon Valley Chapter, has partnered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to present “Successful Inventing”, a free monthly webinar series designed to help aspiring inventors turn ideas into commercial opportunities.

As Udell puts it, “Everyone has an idea.” The program answers the next question: “What do I do with it?”

Held virtually on the second Wednesday of every month from January through December 2026 (4:00–5:30 p.m. PT / 7:00–8:30 p.m. ET), the series is open to participants nationwide and around the world. Registration is required.

The program traces its roots to 2017, when the LES Silicon Valley Chapter launched an educational inventor series at the USPTO’s Silicon Valley regional office. Created by Udell*, founder of the LES Silicon Valley Chapter, in collaboration with Bill Seidel of America Invents, the initiative was relaunched as a virtual program in 2023 with support from the USPTO’s Elizabeth Dougherty.

Interest in the series continues to grow. Monthly attendance typically ranges from 375 to more than 800 participants, while the July 2026 session attracted approximately 1,500 registrants from around the globe.

Each webinar features three speakers—representing academia, industry, and hands-on inventing—who provide practical perspectives on moving an invention from concept to commercialization through licensing or the launch of a new venture.

The curriculum follows the complete innovation journey. Early sessions covered idea development, market research, product development, legal protection, provisional patents, early-stage funding, licensing strategies, manufacturing, and product cost analysis. The July session examined funding sources and informal business planning, including the realities of startup leadership, financing options, and the challenges of raising funding from family and friends.

The remaining 2026 schedule continues that progression:

  • August 12 – Market Development: Building a value proposition, marketing messages, advertising strategies, and distribution channels, including retail, wholesale, and online sales.
  • September 9 – Marketing Plans & Presentation: Developing competitive positioning, identifying target audiences, preparing projections, building a team, and creating effective B2B and B2C marketing strategies.
  • October 14 – The Complete Product: Short-run manufacturing, market testing, key account development, internet testing, and evaluating product-market fit.
  • November 11 – Business Development: Formal business planning, funding and growth strategies, retail and wholesale launches, direct-to-consumer sales, promotional programs, and advertising support.
  • December 9 – Distribution: Expanding sales channels, increasing distributor relationships, pursuing international markets, growing enterprise value, and evaluating when the time may be right to sell a business.

By guiding inventors through every stage—from the spark of an idea to commercialization and business growth—”Successful Inventing” continues to fulfill the educational mission shared by the LES Silicon Valley Chapter and the USPTO, equipping innovators with practical knowledge to transform ideas into market-ready products and successful ventures.

*Larry Udell founded the LES Silicon Valley Chapter in 2000 and has been an active LES Member since 1982.

                            Larry Udell

                 Bill Seidel

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