Become a Mentor!

Brighten the future of innovation!
Mentor entrepreneurs in our I-Corps program. 
​I-Corps team success increases greatly with the support of a dedicated mentor!​

Why be a mentor?

Mentors provide valuable outside perspective and guidance. 
​You will play an essential role within each team by: 

• Learn about new and interesting university technologies and local innovations.
• Create ties with other world class universities, faculty, and students from across Ohio. 
• Share your wisdom and experience with a new set of aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs. 
• Network with other mentors and innovators. 
• Train the next generation of entrepreneurs.

​Mentorship Role & Expectations

Mentors provide valuable outside perspective and guidance. Mentors are not expected to have expertise in any particular area and don’t need to have completed any previous I-Corps training.

Expected:

• Join the I-Corps classes on Zoom: Approx. 2.5 hours on weeks 1, 3, 5, 7.
• Encourage your team to embrace the I-Corps validation and customer discovery process.
• Interact with your team once per week to provide feedback and guidance.
• Attend half-hour instructor sessions on program weeks 2 and 4.

What is I-Corps?

The U.S. National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) program is a 7-week entrepreneurial training program that prepares scientists, engineers, and first-time entrepreneurs to critically evaluate a business idea.

Learn more about I-Corps

​Ready to make an impact?
   Send us a message here and we can get started!

The Benefits of Being a Faculty Team Member in I-Corps

Written by Nick Glavan

Read More Here

Should you mentor a team in I-Corps? (The answer is likely YES!)

​Written by Nick Glavan

Read More Here

The startup journey of senior UARF fellow, Barry Rosenbaum

​Interviewed by Faye Nicholson

Read More Here

Mentor Successes

Tom Swiger

• Former VP Technology, B.F. Goodrich, Tremco Division
• Mentored three UARF I-Corps teams and UARF startups
• Co-founded startup company eSens based on one of his I-Corps teams’ technologies

“You’re going to bring a unique set of experiences to that team that they just can’t get anywhere else. It’s rewarding in many ways… You’re working with students and faculty. It gets you exposed to a new approach, perhaps, that you haven’t seen to finding a fit for a technology in the market."

​Cynthia Mathis

• Senior Director, Global Alliance Development, Qlik Technologies, Inc.
• Mentored two student-led UARF I-Corps teams

“As experienced business people, we have so much to share . And the opportunity to bring that out in an environment where students are really eager to learn and willing to participate in learning is really fantastic… As business people, we continue to learn ourselves and this provides the ultimate platform for that… Join in. It’s amazing.”

Dave Lupyan

• Business Unit Manager, Scot Labs division of the Scott Fetzer Co.
• Past president of Northeast Ohio Product Development & Management Association
• Mentored two UARF I-Corps teams and assisted UARF startups with product development

“It’s the joy and satisfaction of helping somebody develop their business sense and understanding how to launch a new product."