MENTORING

We require that each team identify a mentor because teams that have the expertise of mentors to draw from are more successful in conceptualizing and implementing their ideas.

Who Can Mentor
Mentors may be ASU faculty, staff, or alumna/us. They may also be working professionals who have no ASU-affiliation. Mentors may be from any industry or profession. We encourage students to seek a mentor who can help them move their ideas forward.

Mentor Responsibilities
Mentors are encouraged to provide guidance as students draft their proposals and develop their ideas. Mentors will also support students once Innovation Challenge winners are announced.

As a mentor, before your students submit their application you agree:

• To make yourself available to your student team as they refine their project;
• To use the judging criteria in the areas of innovation, impact, implementation, and presentation to assess your teams materials prior to submittal.

As a mentor, if your students do not win an Innovation Challenge award, you agree:

• To review the students' application and the feedback received from judges;
• To offer suggestions about how he students might improve their project proposal for future funding competitions.

As a mentor, if your students do win an Innovation Challenge award, you agree:

• To communicate with the Team Leader at least once per month to review progress on project implementation for a period of 12 months starting on the date the award funds are disbursed (expected in March 2013). Communication may occur via email, phone or in-person visit; 
• To connect students with community partners or other resources that might assist with the design and implementation of their Innovation Challenge idea.

Resources For Students
Download a copy of the Mentor Commitment Form and give to potential mentors to help explain the Innovation Challenge and the role of mentors.

Students may also identify mentors through the Mentoring Marketplace. The Mentoring Marketplace, a program run through the Venture Catalyst at ASU, is designed to provide students with an opportunity to search a database of knowledgeable entrepreneurs and professionals who are willing to mentor students. Students must create an account to utilize the Mentoring Marketplace.

Please note that in the Mentoring Marketplace students are referred to as "entrepreneurs" and mentors as "mentors." You are allowed to contact any mentor listed in the Marketplace; however, some mentors will specify if they are only interested in mentoring students as part of the Innovation Challenge.

Resources For Mentors
Individuals interested in mentoring ASU students can download a copy of the Mentor Commitment Form and familiarize themselves with the Mentor role.

Mentors can also register with the Venture Catalyst at ASU's Mentoring Marketplace. Mentors will be asked to include their contact and brief biographical information. Students will be able to search the online Marketplace for potential mentors they feel would be a good fit and will contact you using the contact information you provide in your profile.

Please note that in the Mentoring Marketplace students are referred to as "entrepreneurs" and mentors as "mentors." In addition, note that the Mentoring Marketplace is also used by students who are not applying for the Innovation Challenge, but are looking for  entrepreneurship mentors for other purposes. If you are only interested in mentoring students as part of the Innovation Challenge, please specify "I would like to mentor students for the Innovation Challenge" in the "About Me" section of your profile.