I-Corps Mentor Network

The I-Corps Mentor Network embodies the public–private partnership at the heart of the NSF Innovation Corps. Through the Network, I-Corps Teams have access to a broad range of commercialization expertise as well as potential sources for business relationships and partnerships.

I-Corps Mentor Roles

Mentors provide a variety of roles in I-Corps, and they are typically an experienced or emerging entrepreneur with experience in transitioning technology out of academic labs. Here are some examples of Mentor roles and ways that Mentors can engage with teams:

Team Mentors

Team Mentors function as a member of a given I-Corps Team. They typically participate in all cohort activities, whether at the Local, Regional, or National I-Corps level. By being a third-party resource for the team, the mentor can help the team recognize and reduce confirmation bias during the customer discovery process. The Mentor is typically someone that has industry contacts and knows the ecosystem of the target market area.

Time Commitment: There is a smaller time commitment at the Local and Regional levels, but National I-Corps mentors will typically spend 15-20 hours per week engaging with the team over a 7-week time period.

Cohort Mentors

Cohort Mentors are assigned to a given Local or Regional I-Corps program. They help any or all teams in the cohort with industry expertise, ecosystem map development, value proposition clarification, etc. Mentors in this role typically have strong knowledge of a specific industry vertical and can help guide teams as they learn about the space.

Time Commitment: Cohort Mentors typically spend 1-2 hours per week engaging with teams over a 5-8 week period.

Spot Mentors

Spot Mentors engage with teams on an as-needed basis and are typically affiliated with a particular college or university. They are experts in functional areas such as law, accounting, public relations, marketing, etc., and they help teams navigate those spaces as the team explores their innovation or idea.

Time Commitment: Spot Mentors engage with teams approximately 1-2 hours per month on an as-needed basis.

Starters

Mentors that are just starting out with I-Corps are interested in the program and providing expertise to teams, but want to contribute and engage with teams only occasionally. They are part of the Great Lakes I-Corps Hub’s broad database of mentors and may be connected to teams from across the region to provide industry expertise.

Time Commitment: Starter Mentors spend approximately 1-2 hours per year engaging with teams.

Interested in Mentoring?

Please fill out our Mentor Interest Form and you will be contacted by a Great Lakes I-Corps Hub member within 3 business days.