The Art of the Pivot: Interactive Virtual Series from Curiosity Lab

COVID-19 has created a whole new reality to doing business. Startups are uniquely positioned to be able to pivot and make the most of opportunities as they arise. But, how do you know when it is time to change your “north star” and pivot? What does a successful pivot look like (and how do you avoid the pitfalls)? Join us for this interactive virtual series, led by experienced inventor and Professor of Practice at Georgia Tech School of Industrial Design, Stephen Chininis, IDSA.

This class is appropriate for:

• Founders or startup leaders

• Product developers, inventors, designers

• Makers considering launching a business

This 3-part series is open; please feel free to join one or more that is of interest to you.

Wednesday, July 22nd – 6:00-7:00 PM – Creativity & Design Thinking– Register at this link for session 1

1. What is design thinking and how could it reshape your business or product?

2. How can you challenge yourself as a leader to expand your thinking?

3. Tips & Techniques for Creativity and Curiosity as essential business functions

Wednesday, July 29th – 6:00-7:00 PM – How to Pivot and When – Register online at https://tinyurl.com/CLPTCAP2

1. What are the different types of pivots?

2. When should a company choose to pivot their overall approach?

3. Challenging your own assumptions about the business and eliminate bias.

Wednesday, August 5th – 6:00-7:00 PM – Experts Share their Pivots – Register online at https://tinyurl.com/CLPTCAP3

1. Join us as we hear from other leaders who have pivoted products and businesses – what they learned, what they wish they knew, and what ultimately changed.

About the Speaker

Stephen Chininis, IDSA, is a Professor of Practice in the School of Industrial Design at Georgia Tech and the principal of Chininis Product Development Group. He specializes in the integration of invention, innovation, and an entrepreneurial spirit in the work he does and the design studios he teaches.

His Make10 initiative at Georgia Tech, now in its 9th year, has grown into an exciting incubator environment for students to test new product ideas. He also is a coach and mentor for the CREATE-X program on campus. CREATE-X is a Georgia Tech initiative to instill entrepreneurial confidence in students and empower them to launch real startups.

Chininis’ ongoing professional work includes developing products for the toy and housewares industries. With more than 30 patents, he has licensed more than 100 products. His designs have won several awards, including “Parenting Magazine’s 10 Best Toys” and the “2001 Design Plus Award.”

Recently, using 3D printing, Chininis has been working to develop a mashup of design, craft, and technology to explore the micro factory environment through his Etsy Store, as a means to launch new products. In 2017, Chininis and a few friends formed a startup to explore new product ideas called Block Party Games.