Mentoring

Welcome to OBI’s new 6-month structured Mentoring Program

“Mentoring is an ongoing relationship of learning, dialogue, and challenge.” -Thomas Hørdam

 

FAST FACTS ABOUT OUR MENTORING PROGRAM

MENTORS

  • Mentors are volunteers
  • Mentors are not advisors or consultants, but are guides
  • Mentoring has great benefits
    • Free mentor training session
    • Exclusive access to handpicked startups
    • Exclusive network of mentors
    • Ability to earn mentor certification
    • Give back to your community
    • OBI highlights its mentors in the monthly newsletter
  • Mentors are matched with a mentee in a structured matching process
    • Matching process takes place twice a year
    • Includes a pitch meeting, followed by matchmaking
  • Mentors volunteer 2 hours per month with their mentee for 6 months
    • Mentor may not invest in or do paid work for mentee for one year after mentoring begins
    • Mentors must sign a non-disclosure agreement with Mentee
  • Mentor fills out an exit survey at the end of the program
  • Mentor and mentee may continue the mentoring or other business relationship after the program ends

Next cohort begins January 1, 2021

APPLY TO BECOME A MENTOR

Watch for information on our next cohort this fall.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in assisting entrepreneurs, please sign up for our Advisor program. Scroll down for more information.

MENTOR APPLICATION

MENTEES

  • Mentoring helps you grow your business!
    • A recent survey from Kabbage found that only 22% of businesses had mentors when they started their business
    • 92% of business who have a mentor say mentoring has directly impacted their business growth and survival
  • Mentees are matched with mentors in a structured matching process which takes place twice a year
    • Prospective mentees prepare a 5-minute pitch
    • They pitch their business needs in a pitch meeting
    • OBI matches mentees and mentors after the pitch session
    • Formal mentoring program lasts for 6 months
  • Mentoring time commitment
    • Mentee meets with mentor 2 hours a month for 6 months
    • Mentee checks in with OBI once per month
    • Mentee completes any necessary homework
    • Mentee is always responsible for their own outcomes
  • Mentee fills out exit survey at the end of the program and again after one year
  • Mentee and mentor may opt to continue the mentoring or other business relationship after the program ends

Next cohort begins January 1, 2021

APPLY TO BECOME A MENTEE

Watch for information on our next cohort this fall.

In the meantime, if you need assistance, please sign up for our Advisor program. Scroll down for more information.

MENTEE APPLICATION

ADVISING PROGRAM

We have a network of >90 Advisors who are available to provide short-term pro bono advice and assistance to promising life science and digital health entrepreneurs across the state of Oregon. Our Advisors have valuable expertise in a wide range of business topics that are integral to the success of early-stage life science companies, including:

  • Accounting
  • Business Plan
  • Digital Health
  • Gov’t Funding
  • Health IT
  • Legal/IP
  • Licensing
  • Machine Learning/AI
  • Management
  • Manufacturing
  • Market Analysis
  • Marketing
  • Private Funding
  • Product Development
  • Regulatory/FDA

If you would like to become an advisor or request free help, please fill out the forms below. Mentors may also register as Advisors. For questions, contact Rene Miller, Program Coordinator at OBI, at rmiller@otradi.org

BECOME AN ADVISOR
REQUEST FREE HELP