Lean Startup Machine: co-organizer leads effort to bring conference to Philly, his home city

Attendees at Wednesday night’s Lean Startup Machine preview event at City Tap House in University City.

When it comes to cultivating a city’s startup culture, some think that you’ve got to let entrepreneurs leave so they can eventually return and give back to the community.

Lean Startup Machine is a good example of this, said Brian Sowards, co-founder of college funding startup USEED, at Wednesday night’s Lean Startup Machine preview event at the City Tap House.

Though he left the region for New York City years ago, Lean Startup Machine VP of business development Ryan MacCarrigan wanted to bring the innovation conference to his old stomping grounds. He spearheaded the effort, he told Technically Philly in an email, coming to the city to meet with community leaders like Bob Moul of Philly Startup Leaders, Jeff Friedman at the Mayor’s Office and local organizer Brad Oyler.

MacCarrigan grew up in Burlington County, N.J. and spent two summers in Philly. He says he identifies as a Philly-area native.

Lean Startup Machine Philly is later this month.