How ITEN Mentors Function

The ITEN Mentoring Process

Upon acceptance into ITEN, a mentor completes an on-line profile that lists the mentoring strengths he or she offers to a start-up company. This list of strengths provides the criteria for a search that ITEN companies do to find mentors. More than one mentor is likely to be found as a result of a particular company's search for a particular need. The mentor's bio and other comments the mentor has made about the mentor's preferences, listed on the mentor profile, help the company decide which mentor to select and begin working with.

The company selects and then initiates contact with the mentor through the Mentor Match search engine. The company can ask for help from a team of ITEN volunteers in selecting a mentor by  selecting "**Help Me Choose**" from the list of mentors offered by Mentor Match. 

Once the company selects a mentor, an automatic email is sent via the website to the chosen mentor.  The mentor is then able to review the email that contains some specifics on the company's need along with the company's profile, and decide to accept the invitation to mentor or not. The mentor responds, again via the automatic email function on the site, to accept or reject the invitation to mentor.  If accepted, a mutually convenient time and place for the first meeting is established, and the mentoring process begins.  

A mentor often meets with a company individually to address a key challenge the company is having. If the challenge is of a nature that requires a more complex solution, a company can work with several mentors, or invite selected mentors to meet as a group.

Mentoring is an important tool that a company can use to advance its development.  So to are ITEN's other programs, the Beta Program and Mock Angel Training.   If appropriate to their business objectives, companies are encouraged to apply and participate in these programs.   Getting corporate customers or getting outside investment are critical for a company trying to gain traction and these programs are particularly targeted to help the venture be successful in these areas. 

Specific Guidelines for Mentors:

• Give advice and direction as if you were the company CEO. Think, “What would I do if I were running this company, and why?”
• Mentoring is a volunteer activity, and you are not expected to do the work that a contractor or consultant would do. Often the recommendations of the mentors become the “to-do” items of the company to address before the next mentoring session. Don't hesitate to give direct advice and suggestions; that's what the start-up needs.
• Make useful connections to help the company if you feel comfortable doing so. Early stage companies can benefit from connections mentors have to other businesses, potential customers, other mentors, etc.
• Don't accept more invitations to mentor than you can handle. The ITEN program will only work if our mentors are giving freely of their time and expertise.
• ITEN has no prohibition against mentors becoming more deeply involved with a company, such as becoming a consultant, investor or part of the management team. ITEN is supportive of whatever can help the start-up succeed. However, if you are considering such a move, it is important that you contact the Director before you begin this new level of engagement.  If the relationship changes or a conflict of interest develops, ITEN's policy is that you are no longer considered a mentor to that company. Please review ITEN's Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Policy.
• Mentors are the backbone of ITEN, and as such your insights and opinions are extremely valuable. In fact they're necessary if ITEN is to reach its full potential. If you see ways to improve the program, please don't hesitate to give us your suggestions.

Specific Guidelines for Entrepreneurs:

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  • Be very clear with each mentor you work with as to your expectations for what you will get from the mentoring.  It's important to discuss expecatations at the outset
  • It is your responsibility to schedule meetings and take the initiative for maintaining the relationship.   Mentoring is a tool that ITEN places before you.  It's up to you to take full advantage.
  • If it would be worthwhile, work with more than one mentor at a time.   If you'd like to create your own mentor team or meet with them individually, it's up to you.
  • The mentors will not do the work for you.   If you need hands-on help within the company, add people to your company or bring on a contractor or intern.   Post opportunities on the ITEN website using the "Post a Job Opening" submenu item under "Start Up" on the home page.