Lean Startup Machine innovation conference returns to Philly late September, here are some chances to win free tickets [Startup Roundup]

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MUST READS

Lean Startup Machine, the innovation conference that last came to Philly in March, is giving away two scholarships (tickets to the conference) to two students per city, TechCrunch reports. Co-organizer Aksel Gungor says the next Philly conference will be in late September, so stay tuned. In the meantime, win tickets to the next Philly conference here.

Philly Startup Leaders recently held two events, PSL University and the PSL BBQ. If you missed ’em, read recaps on the organization’s blog here (PSL University) and here (PSL BBQ). PSL also announced its next Founder Factory, to be held in November.

DrinkNation, the online nightlife and bar guide which started in Philly in 2009 and has since expanded to Baltimore, New York and Washington, D.C., is trying to convince you that they just launched in a new city: Gotham. Nice timing, guys. We are so going to that Wayne Enterprises Black Tie Ball. On a more serious note, DrinkPhilly is holding a special First Friday event next month and Geekadelphia reports that it’s looking for artists to donate to the event’s silent auction. Also — there’s going to be a roast pig.

GIVE A GLANCE

Old City indie game shop Cipher Prime gets more buzz, this time in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The article profiles Cipher Prime’s “weekly jam,” where it invites fellow game designers to work in its office.

Independence Blue Cross announced finalists for its $50,000 healthcare venture competition. The finalists include recently launched Conshohocken-based Real Food Works as well as DreamIt Ventures grad and former Wharton Venture Award winner 1DocWay. Also check out Nibletz’ coverage of Real Food Works’ launch.

A.J. Steigman, co-founder of the ecommerce platform for streetwear Soletron, challenged PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel to a $1 million game of chess for series A funding as we reported. He says he’s also considering opening a permanent headquarters here in Philly, as the company is based in New York and Florida right now. The challenge has, predictably, garnered a lot of press. Locally, read about it on Flying Kite. Nationally, check stories out on VentureBeat and Business Insider.

MIGHT BE WORTH YOUR TIME

TicketLeap announced it’ll be ticketing the 2012 Philly Fringe Festival. Here are some highlights from the festival, to be held this September, from TicketLeap’s blog. In other TicketLeap news, here’s a Q&A with its CTO Keith Fitzgerald.

Solve Media will sponsor two U.S. Olympic athletes, the online advertising company announced last week. It will sponsor weightlifter Sarah Robles and archer Brady Ellison.

Online tech site Lazy Tech Guys features Proton Media not once, but twice and writes about how the company is “destroying” the competition. Check it out on the company’s blog.

Startup Roundup will post weekly on Wednesdays until there’s not a Philly startup story left to link to on the Internet. See others here, or sign-up for its email newsletter.