sought partners finance the work the
lab, and create joint-projects which Edison and financiers
shared the costs research. Men like George
Harrington and Jay Gould had given him the capital move from
machine shop operator professional inventor the 1870s,
and the 1880s Edison looked this quarter finance his
grand strategy.
J Hood Wright, one the most active partners Drexel. Edison never
underestimated the importance finance innovation; knew
that "the most difficult thing for inventor get hold
1
of people who will back him up." therefore began the
search for financial support before the laboratory was
completed, contacting several venture capitalists. This strategy had some important
advantages; involving other capitalists experimental
projects Edison could maintain several lines experiment at
the same time. These were the first people approached.
The formation the Edison electric lighting
organization had brought Edison into contact with several
groups investors. also spread the risk and limited his loss if
an experimental program failed produce results.11-11
entrepreneurs had played crucial role bringing his
inventions the marketplace. some cases they acted entrepreneurs well
as financiers, taking active interest developing new
technology and managing its introduction. Venture capitalists not only
supported Edison's R&D with their own money but had also
mobilized additional funds using their financial
connections
