Every day, 137,000 businesses are started, and most fail.

Steve Blank, a serial Silicon Valley entrepreneur and a professor at Stanford University, understands why.

Before committing to starting a business, “you need to test your understanding of the customers’ needs and whether your solution matches them,” he said. Blank came up with the “lean startup method” to help you. The method emphasizes data-driven decisions to build companies that last.

Join Blank along with experts Donna Harris, co-founder of 1776, an incubator for startup businesses, and Blake Stevens, a senior associate of venture capital firm Harris & Harris Group, at a live, interactive webchat. Innovation consultant Kerry Rupp will moderate.

The webchat will be May 10 at 11 a.m. EDT (15:00 UTC). Tweet your questions in advance by tagging @GISTNetwork or using hashtag #GISTTechConnect.

GIST program flyer showing panelist profiles (State Dept.)
(State Dept.)