Lean Startup Machine: Nov 5-7

This post was previously on the Pathfinder Software site. Pathfinder Software changed its name to Orthogonal in 2016. Read more.

Have you heard about the Lean Startup movement yet? It’s is a profound concept that’s having a major impact on how companies are being built, funded and scaled. Orthogonal is a major proponent of this approach: It’s the best way we know how to create successful software products. That’s why we’re sponsoring and helping organize the Chicago Lean Startup Machine Nov. 5-7.

Lean Startup principles, conceptualized in 2008 by Eric Ries, are based on less waste, speed to market and a disciplined approach to testing new products and ideas. The movement has gained momentum and interest, and a series of Lean Startup Machine events put the principles in action in New York, San Francisco and now Chicago.

Lean Startup Machine Chicago is a weekend-long competition Nov. 5-7. It kicks off with six-minute pitches and presentations. Participants then select ideas and form teams to work on their project for the next 52 hours. On Sunday, teams pitch their business and Minimum Viable Product to a panel of judges for cash awards, mentoring, and $10,000 in legal and company formation services. The event is limited to 60 participants.

Keynote speakers and judges include Brant Cooper, a leading advocate of the Lean Startup movement; Patrick Vlaskovits, VP Business Development at ELC Technologies and co-author of The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Customer Development; and virtual speaker Eric Ries, creator of the Lean Startup methodology and author of the blog Startup Lessons Learned.

Registration is $50 and is open to the first 60 registrants. The event is not-for-profit and registration fees are used to cover expenses and the winning cash prize.

Want to get involved in the Lean Startup Movement? Read more at Chicago Lean Startup Circle.