In the first place, the chances that you are the first to come up with a particular innovation are somewhere between slim and none. Secondly, even if you have come up with the better mouse trap, nobody - but nobody - is going to beat a path to your door. In fact, in the course of trying to peddle your Better Mouse Trap, you'll beat up plenty of shoe leather wearing paths to other people's doors.

Why is it so hard to find backers for your idea? One person put it simply: "Nobody wants unproven ideas. Nobody wants to be first. Everybody wants to be second." Why this fear of the new? It takes courage to be first and stand out!

With odds like 99 to 1 against an idea being successful and making money, is it any surprise that your idea is greeted with a chorus of yawns? People - companies, investors, what have you - are basically conservative with their money. Ideas are risky.

Does that mean you should forget about your idea?

Absolutely not! It just means that now you're beginning to see what Edison meant, when he said, "Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

Thankfully there is a lot that can be done to make sure you identify opportunities early on and come to understand the strengths and weaknesses, steps and resources that you will need for the journey. Good Luck. The Triton Foundation will be here for you, all the way!

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