These webinars are intended to help clarify the Lean for Main Street Training Challenge, as well the application process, and the criteria which will be used to judge submissions. For more information, please go to https://www.challenge.gov/challenge/lean-for-main-street-training-challenge/

1. Lean for Main Street Training Challenge
Adapting the NSF’s I-Corps Program for More Segments
of New and Aspiring Small Business Owners
Submission Dates: January 11, 2016 – February 11, 2016
Winners Announced: February 29, 2016
SBA in Partnership with NSF
2016
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2. 2
Introductions
Presenter:
• Matt Stevens, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Office of
Entrepreneurial Development
• Andrew Bergmanson, Presidential Management Fellow
If you have questions during today’s webinar:
• Submit questions during the webinar; these questions will be
posted to the Discussions section of the challenge.gov site along
with answers from the SBA team
• Submit questions directly to the Discussions section of the
challenge.gov site
• Submit questions via email to: leanchallenge@sba.gov

3. 3
About the Challenge
Lean Startup Methodology
• Collection of processes, terms, and concepts
• Popular in Silicon Valley and among tech startups generally
• Stresses importance of challenging assumptions and reacting
quickly to new information
• Proven method to help startups and existing businesses develop
and refine their business models quickly and sustainably
The Lean for Main Street Training Challenge is designed to bring the
benefits of Lean Startup Methodology to Main Street businesses across
the US with the help of the SBA’s Resource Partner Network

4. 4
About the Challenge
The SBA has partnered with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to
leverage its successful I-Corps Program.
• Pioneering Public-Private Partnership
• Mix of in-person training and web-based coursework
• Based on Lean Startup Principles
• Builds entrepreneurial capacity among teams of university
scientists and researchers
• Led by expert instructors providing one-on-one guidance

5. 5
About the Challenge
The Lean for Main Street Training Challenge
Resource Partners across
the US compete for the
chance to innovatively
adapt the
I-Corps Curriculum to the
communities in which
they work, along with
$25,000 in prize money
Up to five winning
Resource Partners send
two representatives each
to participate in a Train
the Trainer Program at
the I-Corps Spring Cohort
in Washington, DC
in March/April 2016
Resource Partners work
with I-Corps instructors
to modify curricula and
deploy them in their
communities. The goal is
to develop standardized,
yet customizable Lean
Startup resources to be
deployed by SBA partners

6. 6
Prize Information
Please note: This challenge is limited only to entities that are currently part of SBA’s
Resource Partner Network, i.e. entities that receive SBA funding to operate Small
Business Development Centers (both lead and service centers are eligible), Women’s
Business Centers, Veterans’ Business Outreach Centers, and SCORE Chapters.
Up to five (5) prizes of $25,000 each will be awarded
to winning Resource Partners
This prize money is intended to support:
• Associated expenses for the I-Corps training
• Adaptation of the I-Corps curriculum
• Implementation of the adapted curriculum on a pilot basis
Winners also receive two scholarships for the I-Corps training

7. 7
Prize Information
Prize money will be disbursed in three payments:
• $15,000 (60%) upon selection as a Lean for Main Street Training Challenge Winner,
once initial requirements are met
• $5,000 (20%) once an adapted curriculum has been presented to and accepted by
the SBA, no more than 6 months from the first award date
• $5,000 (20%) after winning Resource Partners have presented a written
assessment to the SBA, including an assessment of outputs and outcomes, a
summary of lessons learned and best practices, and suggestions for future
competitions, to be completed no more than 12 months from the first award date
Winners will be required to have an account in System for Award
Management (SAM) to receive the award.

8. 8
Timeline
January 11, 2016 –
February 11, 2016
February 29, 2016
March 29 – April 1,
2016
Lean for Main Street Training Challenge
open for submissions on challenge.gov
Winning Representatives begin
I-Corps Program in Washington, DC
Winners announced; Initial payment
disbursed
May 11 – 14, 2016
April 7, 14, 21, 28
and May 5, 2016
I-Corps Virtual Sessions
Final in-person I-Corps training sessions in
Washington, DC
6 months from first
award
Deadline for submission of curriculum
before disbursement of second payment
12 months from
first award
Deadline for submission of assessment
before disbursement of final payment

9. How to Enter
Each submission will consist of two PDF documents: a three-page
Application and a Proof of Status as SBDC, WBC, VBOC or SCORE Chapter
Page 1:
Resource Partner Capacity
Page 2:
Rationale for I-Corps Training
Page 3:
Description of Intended Activities
Application:
Form 1222
OR
Letter of Verification
Proof of Status:

10. How to Enter
Participants will submit their application as attachments through
challenge.gov
1. Create log-in for challenge.gov site
2. Search for Lean for Main Street Training
Challenge or go to url provided
3. Read through Challenge Details & Rules
4. Click on “Submit Solution”
5. Create a title for your Submission
6. Attach proposal documents as PDFs

11. How to Enter
1. Organizational Background: Briefly describe your organization, the type of
Resource Partner grant it operates, and how the organization has evolved in
its tailoring of services to small businesses given changes in economic
trends, community demographics, and the availability of new
entrepreneurial development resources. If your organization has offered
Lean resources or programming in the past, please describe it (such
experience is NOT necessary). Please be sure to provide the following
information in your description:
– Name of Organization
– Resource Partner Affiliation (SBDC (Lead or Service Center), WBC, VBOC, or
SCORE Chapter)
– Official Contact Person, Including Phone and Email Address
2. Background of Representatives for I-Corps training: Give a brief biography
for each of the two representatives you plan to send to the I-Corps training.
Be sure to note if they have any experience with or exposure to Lean
concepts and methods (such experience is NOT necessary), and, more
generally, provide a description of their demonstrated ability to adapt and
deliver new resources to small businesses.
Application Page 1: Resource Partner Capacity

12. How to Enter
1. Interest in I-Corps and Lean Methodology: Describe why your organization
is interested in learning more about how to incorporate Lean methodology
in your offerings to clients. How will your organization leverage the I-Corps
training to enhance service delivery to small businesses in your region?
2. Target Audience for Adapted I-Corps Curriculum: Briefly describe the
potential beneficiaries of the adapted I-Corps curriculum in your area.
Attributes of potential beneficiaries to take into consideration could be, but
are not limited to, are business phase (pre-venture, startup, existing
businesses), sector, and socio-economic status.
Application Page 2: Rationale for I-Corps Training

13. How to Enter
1. Implementation and Assessment Plan: Briefly describe how you will deliver
a pilot program with the adapted curriculum you develop through the I-
Corps Spring Cohort, and describe the top five (5) metrics relevant to
outputs and outcomes you would use to measure the effectiveness of the
program.
Application Page 3: Description of Intended Activities
Please note the following guidelines:
• All three pages should be attached to the submission as a single PDF
document with the filename [Organization name]_Application.pdf
• Each of the three sections of the application document should be no
more than one (1) page in length
• Paper Size: 8.5 x 11 with three-quarter (.75) inch margins on all sides
• Font: Calibri, Size 11

14. How to Enter
All applicants will be asked to provide a document which certifies their
status as an SBDC, WBC, VBOC, or SCORE Chapter.
Please attach a copy of the following document with your application as
a PDF with the filename [Organization Name]_Proof of Status.pdf
Proof of Status
For SBDC Lead Centers: For WBCs and VBOCs:
For SBDC Service Centers: For SCORE Chapters:
Current copy of Form 1222 of
SBA Notice of Award
Current copy of Form 1222 of
SBA Notice of Award
Letter of verification from SCORE
Association indicating chapter
number, good standing, and
authorization to apply for challenge
Letter of verification from Lead
Center certifying status as an SBDC
Service Center in good standing

15. 15
Judging Criteria
Audience
Adaptation
Implementation
• For what specific audience will the Resource Partner’s solution will be developed?
• Resource Partners are free to define their audience according to their own
parameters (e.g. Sector, Business Phase, Geography, Socio-Economic Status,
Minority Affiliation, etc.)
• What is the demonstrated ability of each representative to adapt and deliver new
resources to small businesses?
• How do representatives expect to benefit from the I-Corps Training experience?
• How will the Resource Partner leverage their existing relationships, the curriculum
that they will develop, and the funds awarded to bring Lean methods into their
communities on a pilot basis?
• What specific metrics that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the program?

16. 16
Terms and Conditions
Full terms and conditions for the Lean for Main Street Training
Challenge can be found on the challenge.gov website:
https://www.challenge.gov/challenge/lean-for-main-street-
training-challenge/
Questions?
• Email leanchallenge@sba.gov
• Go to “Discussions” on challenge.gov site