BURTON D. MORGAN MENTORING PROGRAM
EXPERIENCED MENTORS SHARING EXPERTISE WITH NORTHEAST OHIO STARTUPS
TEAMS OF SEASONED BUSINESS LEADERS contribute their knowledge and connections to help guide some of the region’s most promising entrepreneurs through JumpStart’s Burton D. Morgan Mentoring Program.
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BURTON D. MORGAN
MENTORING PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Structured mentoring expands Northeast Ohio’s capacity to
PROGRAM FAST FACTS
2,600
HOURS DONATED BY 42 MENTORS in support of the mentoring program since inception.
deliver resources and assistance to some of the region’s most promising entrepreneurs.
Mentoring at JumpStart An initiative of JumpStart supported by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, this mentoring program has a simple goal: We believe that by channeling the experience and expertise of mentors in support of the region’s newest technology entrepreneurs, we can accelerate the
1,147+
MENTORS HAVE TOTAL YEARS of experience.
7x
STARTUPS ARE MORE LIKELY to raise investment money and 3.5X MORE LIKELY to grow user numbers for their products and services if they have helpful mentors. T H E S TA R T U P G E N O M E P R OJ EC T (based on a survey of 650 tech startups)
progress of these ventures. By doing so, we are giving a boost to young companies that could go on to attract funding, generate revenue and become significant employers in our community.
CORE TENETS FOR SUCCESS • TEAM APPROACH: Each tech-based client company is paired with a group of mentors— generally, two or three—who meet on a consistent, ongoing basis. • DIVERSITY: Mentors bring very different perspectives, experiences and expertise to their teams, but find common ground in tackling the challenges and problems faced by entrepreneurs early in the development of their companies. • A HISTORY OF SUCCESS: Mentors are seasoned business leaders or serial entrepreneurs who have successfully grown a company in Northeast Ohio. • DESIRE TO GIVE BACK: Mentors donate their time and share their experiences and expertise because they believe that their support of the business leaders of tomorrow helps
AS OF JANUARY 2014
build a vibrant economy and boosts the region’s entrepreneurial outcomes.
We’re building a community and a network of interested—and interesting—people who want to see the region do better economically. They’re coming together with a specific goal in mind of nurturing the region’s brightest entrepreneurs and their companies. ANTHONY HUGHES | DIRECTOR, BURTON D. MORGAN MENTORING PROGR AM
The program is a true asset to the region. It is not only bolstering the early stage economy by helping local entrepreneurs succeed, it is creating a connected ecosystem of experienced, successful, entrepreneuriallyfocused businesspeople, which will be a permanent accelerant to entrepreneurial activity. SAM GERACE | MENTOR
Our Mentors Mentors generously donate their time. By working with high-potential companies in emerging technologies and markets, their participation can have a significant impact on business outcomes and the community.
NUMBER OF MENTORS WITH EXPERIENCE
34 33 28 24 25 24
mentors have sales and marketing experience
mentors have strategy and business planning experience
mentors have served on a board of directors mentors have product development experience mentors have recruiting experience
mentors have fundraising experience
Mentors represent a broad range of industry sectors and roles. Some of the positions they’ve held include CEO, startup founder, investor, sales executive, digital marketing executive, CTO, member of board of directors and venture capitalist. We seek the best examples of successful entrepreneurs and executives in our region to bring their experience and expertise to bear on supporting a new generation of startups. Mentors participating in the program are evaluated on several criteria: •Significant and relevant experience
• Ability to advise and coach
• Positive attitude—wants to give back
• Respect of colleagues
• Time to participate (8 to 10 hrs/month)
• Enthusiasm for the program
• No personal agenda
• Comfortable mentoring as part of a team
• Good listener
Client Companies The Burton D. Morgan Mentoring Program is specifically tailored for a fast-paced, fiercely competitive, global startup environment. Connections made through and lessons learned in the program are focused on accelerating Northeast Ohio’s early stage startups and improving their access to networking and capital. Accordingly, the types of companies best suited to participate are those that are high tech and high growth, with large-market opportunity; these can range from pre-revenue ventures to businesses already generating cash flow. Companies actively engaged in the mentoring program include:
FINANCE
$
gobigriver.com
instorefinance.com
regulatorybinder.com
boxcast.com
irxreminder.com
rentersboom.com
casentric.com
KickSmart
sociagram.com
crowdentials.com
lifemedix.com
vintageteaworks.com
darksidescientific.com
viperks.net
ecollectohio.com
yourteenmag.com
groupaide.com
paragonrobotics.com
zugamedical.com
Program Sponsor: