Exactly. Corporate and university shops often come off like the rich-yet-freeloader archetype whom goes to the donation-based museum or listens to NPR but never puts anything in... with loads of cash they can afford easily afford it, but they won't it if they can have their maintenance folks can put it together for "free."
The main considerations revolve around:
a. Is it patentable? (OP should contact a former USPTO examiner or a reputable legal shop like Orrick.) Provisional patent a minimum, seems a must, or it's not worth going forward if Mr. Wonderful can knock it off in China.
b. Is it worth the effort to source and offer components which are commodities? Some folks want "batteries included" and will pay for it, so mark those up to where it makes sense to make it worth the while.
Disclaimer: I've worked inside ivy school research and non-research depts and enterprise shops too.
The main considerations revolve around:
a. Is it patentable? (OP should contact a former USPTO examiner or a reputable legal shop like Orrick.) Provisional patent a minimum, seems a must, or it's not worth going forward if Mr. Wonderful can knock it off in China.
b. Is it worth the effort to source and offer components which are commodities? Some folks want "batteries included" and will pay for it, so mark those up to where it makes sense to make it worth the while.
Disclaimer: I've worked inside ivy school research and non-research depts and enterprise shops too.