Events for Entrepreneurs

Med Tech Showcase
March 30, CSUS.
SacStarts Open Coffee. Usually every Tuesday, 9am to noon, but check site!

What Others Say

"My VentureStart mentor told me to go sell stuff. And I did, and now I have found my market niche. I'll be in a much better position to go out for funding, or continue to grow the business organically”
Brett Owens, CEO, Chrometa

"As a mentor, there's great satisfaction in knowing you've made a difference in the success of a company in the region. One idea, one introduction, another set of experienced eyeballs to give a perspective on a product or plan can make a huge impact."
Dave Tanel, Mentor

"The VentureStart Program is not an academic exercise; it is savvy coaching from a support system of experienced entrepreneurs who are serious about building world-class technology companies in Sacramento. The standards are high and the aspirations are higher. VentureStart is an outstanding place to jump start your company's journey to funding."
Dave Stewart, CEO, Decision Detective.

Code Of Conduct

This is a code of conduct that all mentors and entrepreneurs must agree to as partcipants in VentureStart.

===============================

VentureStart accepts into its Mentoring Program high growth companies (”Clients”) who pass its first screening panel. The program has as its Mentors senior professionals who 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 Mentor Agrees To:

  • Participate as a Mentor to Clients and/or participate on panels with other Mentors as requested by VentureStart staff
  • Critique Client money raising collateral such as presentations, business plans, executive summaries, and elevator pitches
  • 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 Mentors, 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 theVentueStart 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 Mentors and not provide other Mentors’ names or contact information to any third party without their permission
  • Refrain from soliciting business from other Mentors while jointly collaborating on Mentoring 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 mentoring relationship with the Client
  • Refrain from soliciting or accepting business, consulting fees or other forms of compensation from Clients while a mentoring relationship exists between them, or for a period of 3 months after VentureStart is informed that the mentoring relationship is terminated.
  • Refrain from soliciting Clients who already have a Mentor assigned or pending (as shown in the Angelsoft “deal” web site)
  • Respect the confidentiality of information imparted by the Clients. (Mentors 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 Mentors

  • 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 Mentor in a proactive professional manner
  • Respect their Mentor’s time:  schedule meetings with consideration to the Mentor’s schedule and location
  • Respect their Mentor’s experience: focus on areas where the Mentor can provide expertise and follow through on guidance
  • Respect the privacy of the Mentor and not provide his/her name to any third party without permission
  • Not to solicit Mentor for investment, network opportunities, references and other items outside the realm of the mentorship relationship
  • Advise the VentureStart staff on the progress of the mentoring relationship and needs that are not being met