This is a code of conduct that all advisors and entrepreneurs must agree to as participants in VentureStart.
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VentureStart accepts into its program high growth companies (”Clients”) who pass its first screening panel. The program has as its Advisors senior professionals who can advise and mentor Clients. Advisors bring to Clients significant experience in raising money, business models, marketing strategy, channel marketing, as well as expertise in legal, financial, research and development, grants and contacts, and educational matters.
Each Advisor Agrees To:
- Participate as a Advisor to Clients and/or participate on panels with other Advisors as requested by VentureStart staff
- Critique Client money raising collateral such as presentations, business plans, executive summaries, and elevator pitches and mentor them on the same
- Provide advice and introductions to assist Clients in growing their knowledge and business capacity to get them investor ready
- Clearly articulate to Clients, and VentureStart staff, their areas of expertise
- Collaborate with other Advisors, as requested by VentureStart staff, to provide the strongest possible team to assist Clients to accelerate into the market and/or to form alliances with strategic partners
- Work with the VentureStart staff to define the best process for assisting each assigned Client company
- Use VentureStart AngelSoft software to provide feedback on Client progress and status
- Always act in the best interest of the Client companies
- Conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times
- Respect the privacy of other Advisors and not provide other Advisors’ names or contact information to any third party without their permission
- Refrain from soliciting business from other Advisors while jointly collaborating on advising a Client
- Refrain from soliciting/contacting businesses from the OPEN DEALS they see on the AngelSoft “deal” web site
- Disclose to VentureStart staff any relationship he or she has or may have with a Client company, including any personal gain he or she may receive from the Client
- Declare any potential conflict of interest to the VentureStart staff and the Client before engaging in a advising relationship with the Client
- Refrain from soliciting or accepting business, consulting fees or other forms of compensation from Clients while a advising relationship exists between them, or for a period of 3 months after VentureStart is informed that the advising relationship is terminated.
- Refrain from soliciting Clients who already have a Advisor assigned or pending (as shown in the Angelsoft “deal” web site)
- Respect the confidentiality of information imparted by the Clients. (Advisors do not expect highly confidential and proprietary information to be necessary to an effective relationship and have no obligation to sign NDAs)
Expected Time Commitment From Advisors
- First month — about an hour a week
- Subsequent months — about 2 hours a month
- Maximum Duration — 6 months/client
Each Client Agrees To:
- Engage with their Advisor in a proactive professional manner
- Respect their Advisors time: schedule meetings with consideration to the Advisor’s schedule and location
- Respect their Advisors experience: focus on areas where the Advisor can provide expertise and follow through on guidance
- Respect the privacy of the Advisor and not provide his/her name to any third party without permission
- Not to solicit Advisors for investment, network opportunities, references and other items outside the realm of the advising relationship
Advise the VentureStart staff on the progress of the advising relationship and needs that are not being met
