Inventors for hire. (Packets).

Continuing to develop new products when corporate downsizing has limited -- or eliminated -- the resources that can be devoted to the process is fast becoming the New Economy's newest challenge. For companies like Lockheed and Raytheon, the solution was simple. The two are among a growing number of firms that have turned to Invent Resources, a Winchester, Mass.-based company of four world-class scientists and engineers that tackles the needs of client companies for free.

According to company president Dr. Richard Pavelle, clients discuss the details of their problem under a confidentiality agreement. "Normally we're able to come up with solutions," he says, "and we describe them in brief to see if the company is serious." No money changes hands until a company says it actually wants the product. At that point, for an initial payment of $4,000, Invent Resources will write a report containing technical details of its solution, giving the client enough information to consider whether to move forward with it.

"They can review the report for one month," says Pavelle, "after which we'll file a patent on their behalf and do whatever is necessary to get a product to marketplace if they're interested." Clearly there's been real interest among clients -- Invent Resources claims more than 500 inventions, 100 patents, 60 licensing arrangements and 40 patent applications in process.

www.inventresources.com