MENTORS

Mentors are volunteers
Mentors are guides, rather than advisors or consultants
Mentoring has great benefits
- Free mentor training
- Exclusive access to handpicked startups
- Exclusive network of mentors
- 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 into account mentor’s and mentee’s preferences
- Includes mentor training and a pre-matchmaking session
Mentors volunteer ~2 hours per month with their mentee for 9 months, from September through May
- Mentors must sign a non-disclosure agreement with mentee before beginning work together
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

Timeline:

Current 2023 cohort is now full
Please check back in summer for the 2024 application

Mentor Application Form

MENTEES

OBI’s free Mentoring Program 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 businesses who have a mentor say mentoring has directly impacted their business growth and survival
Mentees are matched with mentors in a structured matching process
- Prospective mentees prepare and record a 5-minute pitch for the mentors
- OBI matches mentees and mentors after mentee training and a pre-matchmaking session
- Formal mentoring program lasts for 9 months, from September through May
Mentoring time commitment
- Mentee meets with mentor ~2 hours a month for 9 months
- Mentee checks in with OBI once per month
- Mentee is always responsible for their own outcomes
Mentee fills out exit survey at the end of the program and again after one year
Mentor and mentee may continue the mentoring or other business relationship after the program ends

Timeline:

Current 2023 cohort is now full
Please check back in summer for the 2024 application

Mentee Application Form

This Oregon Bioscience Incubator Mentoring Program is specifically focused on Oregon entrepreneurs. If you identify as a woman, and are employed in bioscience and seeking professional development mentorship, consider the OBW Mentorship 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 appropriate form below. Mentors may also register as Advisors. For questions, contact OBI Associate Director Rene Miller.

Become an Advisor

Request Free Advice