In recent years there has been a lot of new thinking and learning's going on in the tech start-up world.  Traditional models of product development are being thrown out in favor of new, more nimble, and customer focused models. 

A quick history lesson: In 2005,  Steve Blank wrote a book that would start this revolution.  Steve, a 21 year start-up veteran with 8 high tech companies under his belt retired and started teaching entrepreneurship to undergrad and graduate students at UC Berkley, Standford and Columbia in a joint executive MBA program were he formed 'The Customer Development model' which forms the basis for his 2005 book The 4 Steps to the Epiphany.   (Good summary of concepts here)

Around 2008 Eric Ries - a disciple of Steve's came up with the concept of the The Lean Start-up and published this in his blog - Lessons Learned.  The ideas from 4-steps and the customer development process became one of 3 foundational pillars for concept of The Lean Start-up which include:

1. The use of platforms enabled by open source and free software
2. The application of agile development methodologies which dramatically reduce waste and unlock creativity in product development
3. Ferocious customer-centric rapid iteration

Fast forward to 2010:  Steve Blank's customer development process and the principals that Eric Ries preaches as part of The Lean Start-up have become a world wide phenomenon and the founding religion for many tech start-ups today.  And now, later this month on Friday April 23, the first Start-up Lessons Learned conference will be held in the SF bay area with an impressive list of speakers.  To attend the conference live, it will cost you $750, however the hosts have graciously opened up the conference for free remote simulcasting around the world.  As of this writing there are 29 cities from 12 countries and 5 continents, around the world all planning to simulcast this event locally.

Boise Idaho will proudly be one of those cities!  This simulcast will be hosted by Balihoo and the 8th Street Marketplace in Bodo and attendance is absolutely free!  This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a truly world-wide start-up event, and hear some cutting edge thinking on how to get started with your business idea or make better traction with one you are already working on.  This event will actually cap off an amazing week for creative entrepreneurs in the Treasure Valley with Techstars on Wednesday April 21, Ignite Boise 4 on Thursday April 22, and now the Start-up Lessons Leaned conference on Friday April 23.  And ALL of these events are FREE!

Everyone in the valley wants to not only keep the entrepreneurial community alive, but also growing.  Events such as these bring us together and make it stronger through learning, connecting and having some fun while doing it, so make the time - not only for yourself but for the entire community - its worth it.  (and if this doesn't work - maybe Brad Feld will convince you:)

Next Steps?  Register for the event!
For more information contact Kevin Donaldson (kdonaldson@balihoo.com)