Fair to say that there is no easy way. I agree the first thing to do is to patent the idea. In fact, simply applying for the patent will offer protection. THat said, the idea is worth usually more depending on what you put into it. I like to use a multiple of 10x to illustrate that.
Here’s an example. I design and render the idea. It is worth X.
I design render protect develop a marketing strategy, test prove and get the idea ready to start a business/company. The idea is worth 10X. I
I start the company, get it into manufacture, iron out the bugs and develop the first year production run. The idea is now worth 10 times 10 X. 100x
Assuming of course it’s a great product or service.
This is simply a general outline to demonstrate hypothetically how to add value to an idea in the effort to bring it to market.
Mark