The Chicago Inventors Organization’s (CIO) vision includes being the premier provider of positive, affordable, credible resources to inventors whose products range across all markets including digital apps. Recognized by the US Patent and Trademark Office, our organization is the only organization of its kind in the Chicagoland area. Our previous Conferences have been attended by more than 5,000 people with presenters from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Tampa, and Chicago. We are building on the tremendous energy of virtual weekly networking meetings, virtual member seminars and workshops broadcast from our offices at LACUNA LOFTS in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. We have enhanced the diversity of our inventor base over the last ten years by reaching out to all underserved demographics.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Chicago, we provide underserved independent inventors and innovators with the required resources to bring their inventions to fruition. Inventor development is facilitated by providing foundational knowledge and entrepreneurial skillsets to help inventors learn to achieve their goals profitably. We guide and encourage each member to acquire, at the very least, a patent, copyright/trademark protection, a Proof-of-Concept prototype or drawing of their concept, and a business case, action plan and marketing plan. The need is vast in that the underserved inventor and entrepreneur are typically left to fend for him or herself without the financial means to accomplish his/her goals. Inventors are left to identify many items such as:

Where do I start?
Who do I contact to start the patent process?
Do I need a patent, trademark or copyright? If so, what are the specifics of each?
How do I find a manufacturer and develop cost projections, pricing, etc? and
How do I get into the big box stores?

The CIO is the only organization of its kind in the State of Illinois providing access to the untapped underserved talent which is needed to fuel the engine that is driving innovation in the State of Ilinois as well as creating jobs and state revenues.