A word from CEO
Hello, my name is Lena Miladinovic. I am the Founder & CEO of Outpost Chess. I’m a professional titled chess player, coach, and arbiter, and I have been living in the chess world for more than 20 years so far. I was a multiple youth champion of Serbia, and a World and European University chess champion. I represented my country multiple times in European and World chess championships. My huge chess experience enabled me to see the gaps in the chess world which inspired me to start a new chess project and become CEO of a startup company (Outpost Chess). I finished my education in the Faculty of Political Science. My Master's degree is also Political Science but here I am in the entrepreneur world. I love playing chess but my other passion is also a sport with a ball - like soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, etc.
Company Name: Outpost Chess Location: Belgrade, Serbia Operating since: 2021 Website: outpostchess.com Socials: @outpostchess (Instagram), @OutpostChess (Twitter)
About the company
Outpost is a digital and interactive chess platform that connects chess professionals (players, clubs, organizers, arbiters, coaches, streamers) where they can easily find, engage and pay each other. This will speed up communication, transactions, and enhance the organization of any kind of chess event.
In short words - Outpost is “Linkedin for chess professionals”, where they can make personal profiles, represent themselves, connect with other chess users and manage their chess lives much better by virtue of the specific chess features Outpost offers. Chess professionals will finally be visible and fully engaged in the chess world.
Team behind the idea
Ilija Dragisic - COO - He has been in business for more than 15 years. He has two active companies and one of them is a start-up; hence, he is my mentor through this entrepreneurial journey. He loves to say that he is a passionate entrepreneur, eager to make a business that will change the game.
Dragutin Miladinovic is our CTO, and also my big brother, who helped us improve our development side. He is enthusiastic about making innovations with his own hands :)
Matt Thomas is our CMO, he was a chess-boxing champion in 2018. He is also an influencer and a serial entrepreneur.
Maja Borkovic as a Social media manager, with Outpost Chess from the day 1, engaging with the chess community daily which is priceless for Outpost.
Inspiration
My chess life inspired me. Through 22 beautiful years and my childhood in chess, I've learned a lot about this specific wonderful world, but I also saw what lacks. As chess gave me everything, I decided to give my best to empower chess by transferring the traditional into the digital world so these beautiful people can connect worldwide. The 21st century is the best timing to start a tech company, also the well-known TV show - The Queen’s Gambit - seemed like a momentum to start.
Biggest obstacle
Leaving ego aside.
Future plans
I keep on spreading my contacts in the chess world, so I can learn about market size and chess people's needs. I have no current plans except Outpost and chess activities. We are in the funding phase right now, so the focus is on fundraising and growing Outpost.
Advice
Just start. We'd never have the perfect time or momentum - you can never ever organize things that much ahead. Just start and do things on your way. Even though I am a chess player who thinks a lot ahead, this is a particular situation where you should just jump in and swim!
**Describe yourself in ONE word. **
Enthusiastic
