Mentor Sign up
We would love for you to join us for this exciting startup event!
Join us for Startup Weekend at Miami University! By volunteering, you'll have the chance to guide young entrepreneurs with your expertise, connect with fellow professionals, and experience the excitement of innovation firsthand. Watch to learn more and consider being a part of this incredible weekend. If you're interested, fill out the form. We can't wait to see you there!
faq
You probably have questions, and we have answers (well, some answers).
What is the time commitment?
Mentors choose one or more time blocks on Saturday to help in person.
Typical blocks: morning, afternoon, or evening. Each block is about 2 to 3 hours.
We will feed you breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner depending on the time you sign up for.
If you are available on Sunday, we also need help judging the team’s final pitches (preliminary rounds and the final round).
What will I do as a mentor?
You will coach student teams as they define a problem, build a solution, and test assumptions.
Your role includes:
Listening and asking sharp questions that reveal risks and opportunities
Sharing industry context and customer insights
Pointing teams to resources and encouraging quick tests
Helping teams prepare their pitch
We expect more than twenty teams. You will act as a coach, a sounding board, and an expert guide to approximately 5 of the teams.
What will I NOT do as a mentor?
You are not giving teams your ideas.
You are not writing code, designing slides, or building prototypes for them.
You are not completely shutting down ideas or being a total jerk.
You are not going to have all the answers.
How will I know which teams to work with?
Our Student Leadership Team reviews mentor backgrounds and will assign you 5 teams to assist. As unique needs arise during the weekend, we will also match you with teams that may benefit from your specialized expertise.
You can request to work with other teams at any time.
Can mentors also serve as judges?
Yes. Mentors may help to judge on Sunday. In face, we highly recommend it!
When will I receive logistics?
Two weeks before the event, you will receive an email with:
Parking and building details
Check-in location and contact numbers
Mentor room locations and time block sign-in
Judging rubric and scoring criteria
We will also send a reminder the week of the event with any updates.
Who do I contact with questions?
Email Geoff Zoeckler at zoecklgg@miamioh.edu and Stacy Hummeldorf at hummels@miamioh.edu,