Any tips on how to get into the vaporizer market?

[TheDudeNextDoor]

I have an idea for a portable vaporizer that I think is pretty good, but I have no idea how to proceed from idea to prototype. This is probably a dumb question, but I know we have a lot of people on here who have done just that. Can you give me any advice?

 

[darkrom]

Prepare to spend a small fortune to get started.

 

[TheDudeNextDoor]

Well, that ends that discussion, doesn't it?

It's a good fucking idea, too.

 

[Stu]

You should throw it out there and make it an open source project for the FC community. You can call it the LinuxVape.

 

[lwien]

A small fortune to one is pennies to another.

I would think that the investment in time maybe even more prohibitive, but if ya got a passion in doing what ya want to do, please don't let time or money get in your way, 'cause those are a helluva lot easier to obtain if you really love what you're doin'.

If ya come up with a great design that you REALLY believe in, getting some outside partners to help invest some bucks may also be something to explore.

I say, if ya got the fire...........go for it.

 

[TriiKLe]

word.

A small fortune to one is pennies to another.

I would think that the investment in time maybe even more prohibitive, but if ya got a passion in doing what ya want to do, please don't let time or money get in your way, 'cause those are a helluva lot easier to obtain if you really love what you're doin'.

If ya come up with a great design that you REALLY believe in, getting some outside partners to help invest some bucks may also be something to explore.

I say, if ya got the fire...........go for it.

 

[Hippie Dickie]

@original poster -- have you read the Cloud thread? That will give you a good idea of what it takes.

 

[wolf torn]

It's a vape that can brew coffee too

 

[momofthegoons]

Dude, the cost of producing the unit depends on what you are making and how complex it is. Also, how many you plan to manufacture at first. Why don't you contact Alan (TV)? He's very helpful and has gone through what you are trying to do. And, I know that Alan did this on his own, without any funding, and without a lot of cash. I don't mean share your idea as much as ask what he did to get started. I'm pretty sure all he did was build his first vape and it grew from there. How big you get is up to you. Good luck!

 

[Magic9]

Just so happens, I have some money that wants to be invested. Let me know if you get a prototype.

 

[biojuggernaut]

I too would recommend the HI. Taste and ease of use is impeccable.

mod note: You're way off the topic.

 

[scottio19]

I too would recommend the HI. Taste and ease of use is impeccable.

How does it compare to your UD?

mod note: And so is your post.

 

[vap999]

Since you state that your current main problem is making a prototype, presuming you lack the resources, e.g., expertise, equipment and shop, why not link up with someone who has these, maybe a volunteer, or just hire someone to build it. You could likely find willing candidates here on FC. Once you have a prototype, then you and others can better figure out any commercialization potential.

 

[darkrom]

Well, that ends that discussion, doesn't it?

It's a good fucking idea, too.

I wasn't trying to shit all over you and make you give up lol! I just wanted to get the realistic expectation of spending money or getting partners etc. I mean something like the Gn0me could be started with WAY less cash than something like the cloud or an electronic vape.

Don't give up, but if you have to give up...share the idea and let someone else make it. At least that way you could still use it!

 

[S1N3]

Like anything start with a business plan to attract investors and apply for a patent on your idea.
If its a DIY, why not just publish it here and maybe the community can suggest parts.

The guys at Vapoblunt are a company which recently launched a product from scratch. Might be worth asking them on their thread along with reading user feedback which wasn't necessarily negative but not overly positive. That thread is a great case study for some entrepreneurial advice.

As a finance person there is a market for a portable vape, that operates on batteries, concealable within the palm of your hand, lifetime warranty/ durable and under 50$. Whoever re-creates the concept of a MFLB at 1/2 the price could take business.

 

[sessnet]

There are people who cloned the MFLB at 1/4th the price - but not sure if I want to buy one of those

I would like to see a PORTABLE vape I can plug into things so I don't have to worry about batteries, like sneak a pull off a street lamp or something

 

[UncleJunior]

it's called invent a vaporizer that works better than the ones already on the market.

 

[towelieeeee]

I'd say "start by testing all your assumptions". See if you can cobble together a prototype that demonstrates the key concept(s) in your product... worry about cleaning it up and producing it once you've confirmed that it works

 

[GReYAReA]

I have patent experience and financing available. I'm not aggressively looking to get into the market; but am open to a new opportunity if there is a talented inventor out there with something unique to contribute to the community.

General advice though: It can be expensive to go from idea, to prototype, to patent, to production scale. Plus you need the infrastructure to manufacture, market, and sell the product.

If you don't have the resources to do this all yourself, you are best to work on your idea, and document and DATE everything you do. When you are ready, search for an investor. Take your time, and be careful about who you get in bed with. The $$$ should be secondary; look over their business history first. There are many people that would love to take advantage of a good idea/talent.

 

[Qbit]

Hey maybe we could start some kind of venture capital-raising scheme for new vape companies/products. I don't know how it would work exactly, but there's so much passion for vapes and vaping here that I'm sure many people would happily invest in this rapidly growing industry. This is after all the place where people who really like to think about and discuss vapes a lot hang out.

I don't know how this would work, and I realise there are all kinds of problems with the required secrecy re the designs and what information you make public, but maybe there are ways around these which someone who's not me could suggest. I'm not saying Dude, our OP here, would necessarily go for this idea, but it could be a good option to have out there for the inventors among us.

 

[max]

Might be a good idea Qbit, but I don't know that 'scheme' is the best word choice. It often implies sneaky and underhanded.

 

[Hippie Dickie]

There are many people that would love to take advantage of a good idea/talent.

not so many as i initially thought ... maybe it's the venue.

 

[druminfected]

all i know is the vaporizer market is very competitive, lots of products trying to compete with each other. Good luck though and hope you idea can come up with a prototype. maybe look for some investors for your idea that won't say no and steal it for themselves and you see it on the market the next month.

 

[Qbit]

Might be a good idea Qbit, but I don't know that 'scheme' is the best word choice. It often implies sneaky and underhanded.

I absolutely deny any suggestions that I was thinking of embezzling the funds and disappearing to South America to spend half on coke and hookers, and then just waste the rest.

 

[zymos]

How 'bout Kickstarter?