Two months ago, I attended my first Lean Lab at Lever in North Adams, just south of us in the Berkshires. I'll admit I didn't quite know what to expect, but I knew the featured speaker (shout out to our very own Dimitri Garder, CEO & Co-Founder of Global-Z) and heard murmurs of pizza, beer, and networking. The murmurs weren't wrong, they just didn't really cover what happens at a Lean Lab.
To start with, Lean Lab is based on Lean Startup methodology (learn more about that HERE) and is sponsored by Lever, a startup incubator working to grow the regional economy. I was glad I arrived a few minutes early – they're a prompt bunch, and the speaker started right on time. For about 40 minutes, Dimitri walked us through how Global-Z started and described how, when, and why they pivoted, for better or worse.
After some Q&A, there was a presentation by one of the startups Lever is working with. Fabber, a digital fabrication platform that makes the digital tools used by those that design and build furniture and the like smarter and easier to use, presented briefly on its "MVP" or "minimum viable product." This part was more conversational than I expected. Sure, Fabber's Founder Eric Schimelpfenig presented his product, but he also asked questions and took advice. I think one of the biggest misconceptions folks have is that they can't talk about their good ideas. So many people are afraid someone will take it and make millions, but everyone I've met in this entrepreneurship world just wants to help you make it work.
After the presentation, we were all divided into four groups for some facilitated networking. We were tasked with each sharing one thing we're working on that we're excited about. It may sound corny to you, but being given a question or framework for networking makes the whole deal a significantly easier and more useful. I got to talk a bit about the Lightning Jar and connect with folks in the region with similar interests and goals.
Lean Lab is open to any entrepreneur, especially those seeking to grow their business. They also welcome business leaders with a desire to leverage continuous innovations a means to grow and stay ahead of their competition. Check out the next one which will be hosted at the Lightning Jar on Tuesday, July 10 from 6pm to 8pm and will feature CEO & Co-Founder Chris Brooks of Vermont Wood Pellet Company.
Lean Lab is sponsored by Lever, a startup incubator working to grow the regional economy. It is co-organized by Brent Filson, Lever's Director of Programs and Operations, Steve Miller, Professor of Mathematics at Williams College, and David Eve, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
To start with, Lean Lab is based on Lean Startup methodology (learn more about that HERE) and is sponsored by Lever, a startup incubator working to grow the regional economy. I was glad I arrived a few minutes early – they're a prompt bunch, and the speaker started right on time. For about 40 minutes, Dimitri walked us through how Global-Z started and described how, when, and why they pivoted, for better or worse.
After some Q&A, there was a presentation by one of the startups Lever is working with. Fabber, a digital fabrication platform that makes the digital tools used by those that design and build furniture and the like smarter and easier to use, presented briefly on its "MVP" or "minimum viable product." This part was more conversational than I expected. Sure, Fabber's Founder Eric Schimelpfenig presented his product, but he also asked questions and took advice. I think one of the biggest misconceptions folks have is that they can't talk about their good ideas. So many people are afraid someone will take it and make millions, but everyone I've met in this entrepreneurship world just wants to help you make it work.
After the presentation, we were all divided into four groups for some facilitated networking. We were tasked with each sharing one thing we're working on that we're excited about. It may sound corny to you, but being given a question or framework for networking makes the whole deal a significantly easier and more useful. I got to talk a bit about the Lightning Jar and connect with folks in the region with similar interests and goals.
Lean Lab is open to any entrepreneur, especially those seeking to grow their business. They also welcome business leaders with a desire to leverage continuous innovations a means to grow and stay ahead of their competition. Check out the next one which will be hosted at the Lightning Jar on Tuesday, July 10 from 6pm to 8pm and will feature CEO & Co-Founder Chris Brooks of Vermont Wood Pellet Company.
Lean Lab is sponsored by Lever, a startup incubator working to grow the regional economy. It is co-organized by Brent Filson, Lever's Director of Programs and Operations, Steve Miller, Professor of Mathematics at Williams College, and David Eve, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
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