Mentoring Session Overview

On the evening of Day 2, you will work with invited guest entrepreneurs, industry experts and investors during a two-hour mentoring session. During this time you will share your concept, via an elevator pitch and slide pitch deck.

Mentors will help you learn more about the commercialization process and the tools you will need to validate the commercial potential of ideas and technologies you come across every day in the lab. The mentor’s job is to provide support, enthusiasm, business acumen and tough questions that will help you get particularly excited about continuing to work on your idea.

Mentoring Format

Mentoring sessions allow you to refine your ideas through one-on-one pitching and feedback in a timed rotation format spanning two hours. Each “idea” (either an individual participant or a team) will be assigned a number displayed on the table in front of them. Mentors select a table and number to start.

You will briefly pitch your idea to the mentor and gather feedback through two-way questions and discussion. After 15 minutes, mentors will be notified to rotate to the next highest number. Since each mentoring engagement lasts approximately 15 minutes each, you can anticipate interacting with ~6-8 mentors.

Participant Responsibilities

 At minimum, you should be prepared to participate with the following: 

• The elevator pitch – ideally, a refined one or two sentence description of your idea
• A lengthier description of your research technology and/or innovation
• If possible, an early draft slide deck to guide the conversation and prompt mentor feedback
• Some questions that could lead to information that may help move your idea forward

Mentors donate their valuable time and expertise to work with you. We respectfully request that you arrive on time and are well-prepared for the mentoring session.

Questions

For questions or more information about the mentoring session, please contact:

Niki Peterson
Senior Program Manager
UC Davis Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
(530) 400-9531  |  ndpeterson@ucdavis.edu