Question : How can you share a great business idea with potential partners/investors without them walking & stealing it?
Let’s say you have a breakthrough business idea. You feel the whole value of it lies in the idea itself. The value is there because the idea has not materialized in any way in the real world – at least yet. If the idea were to be materialized the ROI (for say a company developing and commercializing the idea) could be millions or even billions of dollars. But since all it is is only an idea or a thought (without any kind of protections were they possible in terms of intellectual property patents, copyrights, etc.), besides creating a Non-Disclosure Agreement, what other great ways might be there to protect your idea if you need to share it with others when say shopping for partners or investors or buyers (without them walking on you and stealing your idea and leaving you in the cold with little or nothing)?
valuing intellectual property

Best answer:

Answer by paz840
Thorough documentation and a signed confidentiality agreement are your best bet. And be prepared to be litigious if necessary.