2 Answers
We have > 120 mentors across a number of domains, industries, companies, and even locations. Many of them are founders/CEOs of our own portfolio companies. The mentors help our startups by speaking at our weekly talks, holding office hours at the space, advising startups 1:1, contributing content for us on the 500 Blog, referring cool startups to us from around the world, and more. Plus they have secret powers.
http://500startups.com/me
http://500startups.com/me
As a startup not (yet! ; ) in the 500Startups program, I've been exploring this question myself. If you are a startup, and are interested in the 500Startups mentor program, here is what I've been able to piece together from the various mentors I've spoken with:
Did I get that right?
- Founder reaches out to mentors through founder's own network
- Some mentors may be interested enough in founder/startup to take a meeting
- Mentor might then start providing mentoring (but not as part of the "500Startups Mentor Program"), or may refer startup to Dave McClure
- Startup may become a 500Startups startup - this decision is made by Dave McClure and his inner circle
- If selected to be a 500Startups startup, which typically (always?) includes investment by 500Startups/Dave McClure, the startup will start receiving referrals from Dave and his team to various 500Startups mentors for short or long-term mentoring on specific business issues
- Additionally, as noted by Christine, once part of 500Startups, the startup may attend presentations given by 500Startups mentors
- Mentor secret powers may lead to additional weird and wonderful effects, not as yet fully understood by anyone
Did I get that right?
