What’s the project?

I want to be your reporter on the ground at The Lean Startup Conference. I won't be just any hack, I'll be doing it with your direction (and hopefully with your backing!) I will create a dedicated blog with everything I can assemble from the conference. I'll live blog on the day and then edit afterwards so that it's a comprehensive resource of the day.

What’s The Lean Startup Conference?

The 2013 Lean Startup Conference is presented by Lean Startup Productions and co-hosted by Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup, and Sarah Milstein.

So, how will this be reported exactly?

I'll set up a blog (URL TBC) where I'll liveblog the day, as well as tweet from a dedicated account (I may be tweeting from a sponsored account too depending if this reward is taken up). I hope to create a resource of stories and information for those who are not there and for those who are. If there's a presentation or video to be found - I'll find it. I hope to instagram and do short videos where appropriate too. All will be collated on the blog.

I'll be reaching out* to all my backers and getting direction and input on what you want asked, covered etc.

I want to create the ultimate conference news resource for you.

Why are you doing this?

Two reasons, really. Firstly, this is not an area that gets much traditional news coverage and I'm unlikely to get funding to do it for a publication. It's a huge and growing area that I have an interest in. I've worked across start-ups and journalism for a number of years (I used to make my editors do stand-ups!) I have a sense of what's new, of interest and important - though I also want direction from you - and hope to bring you amazing coverage of the day that you wouldn't otherwise get.
Secondly, this is an experiment in journalism. Is this sustainable and do-able? Will crowds fund niche content that they are not getting elsewhere? These are all questions I want to answer. I want to learn and share what I find. That's part of the experience and function of a journalist these days.

Where’d you get this idea?

A number of things happened that made me decide to JFDI. I was contacted by conference organisers after I wrote an article in The Guardian about their approach to getting more female speakers. Conversations went from there and they offered me a press pass. Anyway, the idea sprung from my interests in crowd-funding journalism and lean startup thinking over breakfast one morning. And here you have it.

Who are you again?

I'm an experienced journalist and online person. I've been on Twitter for six years and love the opportunities it opens for journalism. I write about media and startups (along with feminism and anything else that takes my fancy) for The Guardian. I've been a print journo, radio presenter, blogger and citizen journalist news site proprietor. There's a lot about me on the internet.
I'm also a startup person. I launched one of Australia's first citizen journalism sites, then worked at Australian startup incubator Pollenizer before I worked at an Australian boutique VC firm doing early investments.

I have a semi-reasonable Twitter following (if you count those things) and have been named as one of Australia's top media influencers.

Here's my LinkedIn too should you wish to know a bit more about my professional background.

What's in the costs?

Plane tickets (MEL -> SF and back), accommodation, costs of website set up and a teeny tiny travel expense for me. The $5,900 pretty much covers my costs. Anything beyond that is payment for my work. And let's face facts, journalists should and need to be paid.

*You'll have to trust my judgement on this and ultimately it will be my call about who to listen to etc. This is just a practical reality, but shouldn't undermine my comittment to input.

I'll use the funds for (rough estimates):
1) Flights ($3,000 AUD)
UPDATE: Since launching prices on plane tickets have come down. I'm looking at around $1,900. And will keep looking for cheaper alternatives. Cattle class, two stops. You name it, I'll do it to keep costs down.
2) Accommodation and travel expenses ($2,400 AUD)
3) Costs of setting up the website ($500)

I have to get to SF just as the project ends which means as soon as it passes its funding goal or looks to be funded I'll buy tickets sooner rather than later (prices will only go up).

I'm confident I can deliver on what I've promised (this is what I do!) but there is the risk of illness or tech hiccups on the day. I'm pretty resourceful when it comes to problems though and I'm sure I'll find a way to get what I've promised to you.