What is the process for allocating Mentors to teams?

On the first two days of the program (February 3rd and 4th) students will present their ideas and form teams. On February 4th, mentors will select the team(s) they wish to advise and inform the program coordinator by Wednesday, February 8pm.

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:

Tuesday, February 3rd OPTIONAL
17h00 – 20h30 - Opening Ceremony, IE Tower
In this session, your attendance is optional (you will be officially introduced on Wednesday, February 4th). However, you are welcome to join and meet the students on this day as well.
Wednesday, February 4th
18h30 – 19h30 – Mentors Allocation, IE Tower
In this session, you will be able to meet the recently formed teams and their ideas. Also, this will be the opportunity to select your mentees.
Monday, February 9th OPTIONAL
15h00 and 20h00, IE Tower - Project Previews with Expert Feedback 1: Students will book the preferred slot to present.
This will be the first presentation of the students in front of the internal jury. Your attendance is optional and will be useful to follow-up the progress of your team(s).
Wednesday, February 11th OPTIONAL
15h00 – 19h00 – Project Previews with Expert Feedback 2, IE Tower
This is the last checkpoint before the Final Presentations on February 12th, a Qualifying Round, held the day before the Final. The jury will review all teams and choose who advances to the Final. Attendance is not mandatory but is encouraged to help you keep up with your team’s progress.
Tuesday, February 12th
17h00 – 20h00 – Final Presentations, IE Tower
20h00 – 21h00 – Closing Cocktail, IE Tower

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, February 9th OPTIONAL
15h00 and 20h00, IE Tower - Project Previews with Expert Feedback 1: Students will book the preferred slot to present.
This will be the first presentation of the students in front of the internal jury. Your attendance is optional and will be useful to follow-up the progress of your team(s).

Wednesday, February 11th OPTIONAL
15h00 – 19h00 – Project Previews with Expert Feedback 2, IE Tower
This is the last checkpoint before the Final Presentations on February 12th, a Qualifying Round, held the day before the Final. The jury will review all teams and choose who advances to the Final. Attendance is not mandatory but is encouraged to help you keep up with your team’s progress.

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. On Friday 6th and 7th, you will have access to Area 31, Maria de Molina 31, if needed, from 9am to 10pm.

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.