“Anything that won’t sell, I don’t want to invent. Its sale is proof of utility, and utility is success.” …Thomas Edison

Edison Nation is a new website designed to match inventors with major retailers. Based on the PBS television series Everyday Edisons the new site packed with web 2.0 features is geared to helping inventors take a product from idea to store shelves.

Companies like Home Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond have signed up to evaluate submissions

If a retailer selects an idea, the inventor will receive $2500 up front and annual payments based on success of commercialization.

This is particularly relevant to inventors who are located in Georgia, which according to a recent study by researchers at Georgia Tech, the state currently has no organization or entity that focuses on the needs of independent inventors. Based on the top needs of Georgia inventors as identified in the study, Edison Nation is a much needed resource for Georgia’s community of inventors.

Edison Nation is free to join but the paid membership of $9.95 a month provides extra benefits including being able to search the database for ideas that have already been submitted. It also costs $25 to submit each idea.