Mentoring is key!
Santa Fe Innovates will soon complete our second cohort on ideation. To refine our approach, we ask our entrepreneurs for feedback on our programs regarding what works and what needs improvement. Our mentors are consistently cited as the most valuable component of our programs.
A good mentor can help entrepreneurs stay focused on their goals and be held accountable for their company’s vision. A good mentor can assist inexperienced entrepreneurs with thinking through strategies, crunching numbers, and creating business models and marketing plans. Their guidance can be instrumental in getting founders through rough times when their self-confidence may be waning by suggesting new perspectives and pathways to success.
We have intentionally recruited mentors who have led startups, served in executive and director roles at startups, and helped startups make connections for investments. In today’s virtual world, we need your expertise and experience regardless of where you live.
We want to thank all of our mentors for the critical role in making our ideation and acceleration programs a success. We believe our mentor network will be a key factor in creating a more robust startup community in Santa Fe and northern New Mexico.
Register and join us for the Idea Pitch!
The culmination of our 2021 Santa Fe Innovates 2021 Ideation Process and Program will take place May 15, 2021, at 10:00 am MDT as our fourteen entrepreneurs pitch their ideas for three minutes via Zoom. Our panel of judges will follow up with questions for each entrepreneur about their ideas for an additional three minutes. The top two ideas, as determined by our judges, will receive added incentives to continue work on their startup ideas.
Panel of Judges
Julia Sze is an impact Investor and lecturer. Since 2018, Julia has taught at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and leads a class on social entrepreneurship, impact venture capital, and sustainable investment management.
Rich Brown is the Director, Community & Economic Development, City of Santa Fe. Rich and team provide guidance and support for business development, a professional level of service for the business community, stimulate entrepreneurism, and provide a platform for economic growth.
David Ollila is a Michigan-based serial entrepreneur and inventor, with 16 patents to his name and 10 startups under his belt. He is passionate about the outdoor industry and is committed to supporting entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses. When he isn’t at his desk or on his phone, he’s likely out exploring the wilderness.
Registration
Please register today and join us on May 15, 2021, at 10:00 am MDT to support these entrepreneurs as they build their businesses in New Mexico!
