Out of the box ideas are a hard sell for most innovators, some say investors fear innovation

Thomas Edison was lucky enough to have JP Morgan back his wonderful light bulb but most inventors struggle to find investors willing to take a gamble on new creations. A new study at Harvard University explores the reasons behind why creative ideas are such a hard sell.

Corporations and governments love the idea of innovation. But transformational ideas and their creators are often stymied. As part of our series By Design, we look at why it is that truly outside-the-box, creative ideas are such a hard sell.

Creating the Digital Displays of Tomorrow from U of T Engineering on Vimeo.

Michael Helander is the co-founder of OTI Lumionics. For seven years he's tried to get his design for a new lighting system off the drawing board and manufactured. He's come by the studio in Toronto to show us what he's designed -- and tell us about the challenges getting anyone to buy in.

A new study at Harvard University explores why so many innovators must climb such a steep hill to sell an idea. Karim Lakhani is one of the co-authors of Looking Across and Looking Beyond the Knowledge Frontier: Intellectual Distance and Resource Allocation in Science. He is also an associate professor of Business Administration at Harvard University.

Have you ever had a terrific idea for a new design, invention or procedure, but just couldn't get anyone else interested. Or maybe you were one of the lucky ones who did get your idea adopted. Tell us about your creative endeavours - and if you met resistance or enthusiasm.

Tweet us @thecurrentcbc, with the hastag #bydesigncbc. Find us on Facebook Or E-mail us through our website. And we still like the older technology too -- pick up the phone and call us toll free at 1 877 287 7366.

This segment was produced by The Current's Sujata Berry.