MENTORS CODE
Entrepreneurs build the future, grow and diversify our economy organically. By becoming part of our Mentor Network, you are fueling the startup community and supporting the growth of the innovation economy, right here in the Midwest.
How we engage with Mentors:
FORUMS - Each week we will cover a specific topic and invite founders or investors with first-hand experience building a business or investing in one, to share their perspective on what went wrong, how they overcame failure and what they wish they would’ve known in the early days.
OFFICE HOURS - Depending on the topic covered, each week we schedule 30 minute meetings with Mentors that can provide feedback, insight or connections in these core areas: business modeling, customer validation, product validation and investor validation.
MOCK BOARDS - We introduced mock boards to help founders who don’t currently have a board get used to having one. Board members provide direction, monitor progress and facilitate connections. Mentors who serve in this capacity understand “mock” boards will dissolve after Founders graduate the program. It is up to the Founders to request long-term commitments. *This type of engagement requires Mentors to meet at least once a month with the startup and provide ongoing feedback to StitchCrew.
INVESTOR PITCH - Towards the end of the program, we simulate investment pitch meetings. These mentors are local and out of state investors willing to coach the Founders on how to improve their pitch and investment deck.
* Mentors within our network spend a minimum of 3.5 hours and average of 6.5 hours.
MENTOR CODE
Our Network consists of individuals from in and out of state with deep industry, investment, operations or entrepreneurship experience. Mentors in this community are not financially compensated throughout the program. They work with the companies pro bono, without expectation of reward or compensation. They share their knowledge and guidance freely and open their networks when appropriate. The success of the companies are a direct result of the generous contributions of mentors.
OUR MENTORS:
- Strive to be a good listener
- Understand the value of paying-it-forward, give first, and expect nothing in return.
- Are genuine and lead by example.
- Are direct, tell the truth but are not jerks about it.
- Learn as much from the Founders as the Founders from them.
- Are responsive.
- Can hold information in confidence.
- Know what they don’t know & are cool about it. Bravado is not their thing.
- Guide not control. Understand Founders must make their own decisions. It’s their company, not ours.
- Are optimistic and understand Founders may not be where they need to be but they may be able to help them get there.
- Provide tangible, actionable advice and avoid being vague.
- Are empathetic because they've been there. Startups are hard.
- Challenge but are never destructive.