Patent ID: 8548821
Filing Date: 2013-10-01
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method implemented using a website on a web-based system for obtaining new funds for a funds seeker, and generating a contingent referral fee for a funds finder, comprising the steps of (a) establishing a secure website, wherein the secure website is hosted on a web server that includes an email system and a database that provides email and database search, query and display capabilities for the secure website, wherein the email system and database is internet accessible; (b) obtaining a funds seeker and a funds finder who agree to terms of use of the secure website; (c) the funds seeker enters into the database the funds seeker's business profile, preferred funding type and amount, preferred funding sources and a contingent referral fee that the funds seeker would pay if the funds seeker obtained a minimum level of funding from a named funding source, which the database stores and transforms to searchable data in the database on the server; (d) the funds finder searches the database and retrieves from the database information that identifies the funds seeker as a potential client and sends an email through the email system to the funds seeker, wherein the email offers an introduction to a company insider(s), wherein the funds finder himself or herself is not a company insider or an owner or operator of the secure website, via an offer system of the secure website thereby offering a single company-exclusive contract with the funds seeker, wherein the offered contract, if accepted by the finds seeker, is stored in the database and wherein said offered contract, if accepted, would obligate the funds seeker to pay a contingent referral fee if the funds seeker is introduced to a company insider by the funds finder and the funds seeker receives funds from the funding source according to the terms of the offered contract, optionally wherein the funds finder is qualified to receive a referral fee under FINRA regulations; (e) the funds seeker responds through the offer system of the secure website to accept one or more of the offers of step (d), wherein the server's database is tangibly transformed to contain a searchable single company-exclusive contract that obligates the funds seeker to pay the contingent referral fee if the funds seeker is introduced to a company insider at the named funding source and receives funds from the funding source; (f) the funds finder introduces the funds seeker to one or more insiders or employees at the funding source and, optionally wherein the named fund source screens the funds seeker; (g) the funding source offers the funds seeker a financing contract comprising a financing offer, the funds seeker accepts the financing offer and receives the funds from the named company, wherein the offered contract of step (d) becomes a binding contract that is stored in the database, wherein the binding contract obligates the funds seeker to pay the contingent referral fee to the funds finder according to its terms, optionally wherein the secure website utilizes an electronic payment system to facilitate paying the contingent referral fee if requested by the funds seeker or the funds finder or if required by the terms of the binding contract; and (h) paying the owner or operator of the secure social networking website or another designated payee a use fee, optionally a portion of the contingent referral fee, according to the terms of the binding contract of step (e) or according to the terms of use of the website of step (b) through the use of an electronic payment system, wherein (1) the database allows automated searching of funds seekers by geography and business/profession and displays the amount of the contingent referral fee, whereby funds finders can identify funds seekers for funding opportunities. (2) the database allows the funds seeker or funds finder to perform an automated search or query of the database for the attributes of company names, one or more professional attributes, or key words in the funds finders' or funds seekers' professional profile and the database displays funds seekers or funds finders who have the searched or queried attributes, wherein discussions of common interests between the funds seeker and the funds finder, optionally via email exchanges through the email system, are facilitated and/or a basis is provided to the funds finder to offer to make an introduction between the funds seeker and the funding source, (3) the database allows entry of and searching or querying for a funds seeker digital patent portfolio, video profile and/or resume to differentiate the funds seeker's profile as a value-added for-fee service, (4) the database provides for protection of the funds seeker's identity and discloses, only after a search or query of the database, a user-defined username and user profile for the funds seeker, thereby enabling a funds seeker to conduct a search for funds for a startup or other business enterprise without the funds seeker's current employer's knowledge thereof, and/or (5) the secure website allows payment of said contingent referral fee though the use of an electronic payment system for a fee.