Bellingham inventor group adding marketing program

A local group that helps inventors turn ideas into a business now plans to add a marketing program to help spread the word about new products.

The NW Innovation Resource Center is starting a crowdfunding campaign to create Slingshot, a program that is expected to help inventors more quickly get products into stores.

Marketing a product is crucial to the success of the idea, according to the NWIRC.

“The biggest roadblock for an inventor is getting their product the last step — getting it into the hands of an individual who will benefit from it,” said Diane Kamionka, of the NWIRC. “Slingshot provides an essential option for the inventor who doesn’t have the interest or skill to take this step themselves. Without Slingshot, we would lose the benefit from our local inventors’ creative efforts.”

The organization has focused on getting inventors through the early stage of an idea and turning it into a business. The new marketing program would help with that next step of reaching potential customers.

One example of the NWIRC helping an inventor is Joe Noonchester and his Rescue Ride System. Noonchester, a career firefighter with North Whatcom Fire & Rescue, invented a device that quickly clamps wheels onto the air tank of an injured firefighter, allowing other firefighters to roll the person to safety.

The fundraising campaign will offer perks for donors, including a private tour of CenturyLink Field in Seattle and a discussion with businesspeople, including Howard Behar, retired president of Starbucks.

The campaign through Indiegogo started Thursday, Oct. 22. Further details about the campaign can be found at GiveIdeasLife.org. Details about the organization can be found at nwirc.com.

This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Bellingham inventor group adding marketing program."