Steve Blank

Steve Blank has led a multifaceted career beginning with his service in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he transitioned into a prominent figure in Silicon Valley, co-founding eight startups over two decades, with four of these companies achieving IPOs. Currently, he imparts his substantial expertise as an academic, teaching at esteemed institutions including Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley-Haas Business School, and Columbia University.

Blank is widely regarded as a foundational figure in modern entrepreneurship, particularly for his role in conceptualizing and promoting the Lean Startup methodology. His books, "The Four Steps to the Epiphany" and "The Startup Owner’s Manual," are influential in this field, guiding many startups around the world. His May 2013 "Harvard Business Review" cover story not only highlighted but also helped define the Lean Startup movement, establishing a new paradigm in how startups are built and scaled.

In addition to his teaching roles, Blank extends his educational impact globally through the Lean LaunchPad and Hacking for Defense courses, which he developed. These programs are now standard learning tools in over 100 universities worldwide. His involvement extends into national security innovation as a co-founder of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford. Furthermore, Blank contributes to environmental conservation as a board member of the California League of Conservation Voters and through previous roles such as Commissioner on the California Coastal Commission from 2006-2013. His diverse contributions underscore a commitment not only to entrepreneurship and education but also to public service and environmental advocacy.