We’re exceptionally fortunate to have an amazing group of mentors at Techstars. Mentors are individuals with deep industry, investment or entrepreneurship experience and can significantly impact companies going through the program. They work with the companies pro bono, without expectation of reward or compensation and will help in areas like product-market-fit, business model, distribution, customers, partners, and (when appropriate) their personal networks with the companies.
Mentoring startups in a Techstars program is a great way to gain exposure to new ways of thinking, learn new innovative techniques that you can bring back to your teams, and stay up to date on current market and technology trends. Some mentors also do this to find their next gig or to write their next cheque.
While there are different types of mentors who #givefirst through a myriad of Techstars programs, a Techstars Mentor provides value to entrepreneurs that is big, small, once, or ongoing.
The simplest explanation of an ideal mentor relationship is that you care about the outcome of one company at a deep level. If you break that down there are many statements in there, that you are devoting time and energy to their success, that you actually like them and want to spend time with them, and that you actually get something out of the relationship yourself.
Techstars Mentors also join a global network of fellow mentors, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate innovation partners, startup ecosystem builders, and founders who believe in our mission that entrepreneurs can change the world.
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David Cohen, with the help of Jon Bradford and Brad Feld, wrote a Mentor Manifesto in order to articulate the values and characteristics of mentorship in the Techstars community. It reads as follows: