What is the process for allocating Mentors to teams?

On the first two days of the program (Thursday, October 2nd and Friday 3rd), students will present their ideas and form teams. During this period, mentors will select the team(s) they wish to advise and inform the program coordinator by Friday, October 3rd before 9pm.

If there are imbalances in the number of mentors per team, mentors may be asked to support additional teams. This is optional, and mentors are free to decline.

Mentors will have access to the master file with team details and students’ contact information.

How many teams can mentors advise?

Mentors can choose the number of teams they wish to advise. If a team has multiple mentors, students are responsible for scheduling time with each mentor during the designated slots and communicating their specific needs.

Mentors can also provide informal mentorship to groups that were not initially assigned to them.

When are the mentoring sessions scheduled?

Your presence would be highly valued on the following days:

Thursday, October 2nd:

17h30 – 21h00 - Opening Ceremony, IE Tower, floor 24

Friday, October 3rd:

19h00 – 21h00 – Team formation and Mentors Allocation, IE Tower, floor 24

Monday, October 6th:

First Look: Presentation & Prototype Reveal: Students will book the preferred slot to present between 10h00 and 15h00. IE Tower - T-12.10

Friday, October 10th:

17h00 – 21h00 – Project previews with Expert Feedback, Area 31, María de Molina 31

Monday, October 13th:

15h00 – 17h30 – Semi Final Presentations, IE Tower - T-12.10

17h30 – 20h00 – Final Presentations, IE Tower - T-12.10

20h00 – 21h00 – Closing Cocktail, IE Tower - T-12.10

The students will be responsible for scheduling the mentoring sessions with their mentors autonomously during the days marked in gray (check the agenda). Mentors can decide how many sessions to have and when, based on what works best for the mentors’ time and availability.

In addition to their assigned mentor, students are also encouraged to reach out to other mentors, both from within the pool and external experts, depending on their project needs.

Online mentorships are also allowed.

Which sessions can mentors attend?

Mentors are welcome to attend all sessions of the Tech Venture Bootcamp (TVB) program to gain insight into what students are learning during the program and be able to provide more tailored feedback. However, if this is not feasible, mentors can focus on the designated mentoring slots to support the teams directly.

We encourage you as well to attend the different group presentations of your mentees that are scheduled in the following days:

Monday, October 6th

First Look: Presentation & Prototype Reveal: Students will book the preferred slot to present between 10h00 - 15h00. IE Tower - T-12.10

Friday, October 10th

17h00 - 21h00 - Project Previews with Expert Feedback: Area 31, María de Molina 31

Where will the mentorships take place?

Mentors and students can meet wherever they feel most comfortable, either in person or online via Zoom. Workrooms are available on all floors. No booking is required.

What are the mentors’ roles?

In the Tech Venture Bootcamp, mentors play crucial roles that contribute significantly to the success and development of the participants. Here are the key roles of the mentors in this program:

1. Guidance and Support: Mentors provided continuous guidance and support to the participants, helping them navigate through the complexities of their projects. They offered personalized advice and assistance tailored to the unique needs of each team and individual.

2. Expert Knowledge Sharing: Leveraging their industry experience and expertise, mentors share valuable insights into the latest trends and technologies, particularly in the field of generative AI and entrepreneurship. This includes teaching practical skills in design thinking, coding, data analysis, and integrating AI into startup development.

3. Business Strategy Development: Mentors coached participants on building robust business models, emphasizing the importance of creating unique solutions and sustainable competitive advantages (or "moats") around their businesses. They guided teams in understanding the business context of their technological innovations.

4. Project Feedback and Evaluation: Throughout the bootcamp, mentors provide constructive feedback on participants’ projects, helping them refine their ideas and approaches. They also participate in the evaluation process, assessing the feasibility and potential impact of the ventures develop by the teams.

5. Encouraging Innovation and Entrepreneurship: By sharing their own experiences and success stories, mentors inspire participants to think creatively and pursue innovative solutions. They foster an entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging participants to take risks and think outside the box.