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The Role of the Mentors
The mentoring cadre comprises business professionals and entrepreneurs, including members of SCORE NYC, and faculty from Baruch's Field Center for Entrepreneurship.
Individual mentors are assigned to teams passing the concept stage (Round One). Mentors assist your team in plan development and act as coaches, facilitators, and guides. They also assess the progress your team is making and decide whether or not that progress is appropriate. They will not develop or write the plan for you.
Apart from the impressions you make on your mentors as you interact, they also evaluate progress at three formal milestones, reporting the results to the competition. We strongly advise that your team meets regularly with your mentors. That way, they are aware of your progress or shortcomings and can advise you accordingly. Waiting until milestone due dates to meet with or submit material to your mentors is not a good idea.
The scheduling of meetings with your mentors is the responsibility of the team leader. You must make respectful use of your mentors' time. You and your team should be on time and fully prepared for every meeting. At the discretion of your mentors, meetings may be in person or by telephone. Regular email contact throughout is highly advisable as well.
Mentors will let their teams know up front what their expectations are with regard to progress, timeliness, and responsiveness. These expectations should be adhered to.
Remember that mentors provide advice, not content. Content is solely the responsibility of the teams.