Simon Fraser University’s Venture Connection program is hiring a Mentor-in-Residence to help expand their student mentorship program.

The Mentor-In-Residence Program pairs SFU students with seasoned entrepreneurs or business leaders who can help you achieve your business goals. This new new Mentor-in-Residence position will engage more specifically undergraduate students.

If you’re interested, be sure to check out the job description and scope of work. The anticipated time commitment is 6-9 days per month and the initial contract will run a minimum of six months.

Applicants should have a minimum 10 years business experience, entrepreneurial experience as founder or co-founder of a company, and specific area expertise in one or more of the following:

• sales/sales management
• product development
• business development/contracts
• production/operations management
• finance/investment

The application deadline is Thursday, March 18th and the anticipated start date is April 5th.

The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs BC (FWE) is inviting women entrepreneurs and men and women volunteer mentors with business experience in various industries to participate in the 2009/2010 Mentor Program commencing in September.

The FWE Mentor Program matches women entrepreneurs of high growth businesses with men and women business professionals. The goal of the Program is for entrepreneurs and mentors to benefit from each other’s knowledge and experiences. This highly successful program runs from September to June of each year.

The Mentor Program runs from September 2009 until June 2010 and consists of two components – mentorship and events.

Mentorship:

• Entrepreneurs are matched with mentors. Throughout this program, they have the opportunity to benefit from each other’s knowledge and experiences.
• Mentees and mentors in this program meet once a month in person or by phone. It is up to the mentee to arrange the meetings.
• Mentees pay a minimal fee of $100 (+GST), which includes all event fees.

Events:

• September 29, 2009 – Meet & Greet launch event – For all entrepreneurs and mentors in the program to get to know each other.
• Fall 2009 – Working with Your Mentor educational workshop – For all entrepreneurs and mentors in the program to learn how to maximize the mentoring relationship.
• Late 2009/Early 2010 – Mentor Appreciation Evening (for mentors) – This is a great opportunity for mentors to network with other mentors.
• Spring 2010 – Educational Workshop – For all entrepreneurs and mentors to learn and discuss more about a relevant topic.

If you’re interested in working with a mentor, the application deadline is July 31st and the application form is available online.

If you’re interested in being a mentor, please contact Executive Director Jill Earthy at jill@fwe.ca or Office & Event Manager Angel Mok at angel@fwe.ca before August 7th.

Now that the Top 30 companies have been selected for this year’s competition, it’s time to get down to some networking.

New Ventures BC is hosting a networking event on Thursday, June 25th at SFU Harbour Centre from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. The top 30 companies will have the opportunity to meet their mentor match-ups and everyone from the New Ventures BC community (competitors, volunteers, etc.)  is invited to attend and enjoy some wine, canapés, and networking.

Be sure to register to confirm your attendance at this event.

Last week in Monaco, Vancouver’s General Fusion Inc. was recognized by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco with an award for Excellence in the Field of Environmental Technology Research at the prestigious CleanEquity conference on emerging environmental technologies.

The award was presented to Mike Sherman, Managing Director of Chrysalix Energy Venture Capital, the leading venture capital investor in General Fusion (pictured with the Prince). Chrysalix is a Venture Capital Fund focusing exclusively on investing in early stage clean energy technology companies and one of the top 5 most active VCs in cleantech worldwide.

New Ventures BC competition initiator and current director Wal van Lierop is the President & CEO of Chrysalix.

So if you’re sitting on the fence about entering the 2009 competition – get off it.  Competitors that successfully navigate their way to Round 3 get matched with a mentor – a successful BC entrepreneur, venture capitalist, or angel investor.  That experience will be invaluable to your new business venture and you never know who your business idea will be exposed to along the way.

Simon Fraser University is seeking professionals in new media design and

marketing who would be willing to provide advice to student teams working on

4th-year projects in the School of Interactive Art and Design.  Over two

semesters students build on the skills and knowledge gained in their

previous studies to design and implement an interactive technology product

or experience.  The students work in interdisciplinary teams which mix

varying strengths in information design, graphics, animation, game design,

storytelling, user design, tangible interfaces, project management, and

informatics.  Design projects are iterated through concept, prototype,

implementation, and user testing throughout the two-semester period.  A full

course outline can be viewed at the school’s website:

http://www.siat.sfu.ca/undergrad/courses/2008/3/IAT-402-403/

By mentoring a team, professionals and their companies gain an opportunity

to build relationships with a group of highly talented young people.

To register your interest in becoming a mentor, or to get more information,

please contact Professor Thecla Schiphorst, thecla [at] sfu [dot] ca.

After some quiet months, Basil Peters (presenter at Seminar #7) has posted new content to AngelBlog, his resource on “Best Practices for Angel Investors and Entreprenuers”. The new posts cover raising funding from friends and family, and why early exits are a good thing. Based on Basil’s 10+ years of experience as a fund manager, AngelBlog contains a wealth of information for entreprenuers, all relevant to doing business in British Columbia and Canada. A must read for NVBC entrepruenuers.

The seminar series might be over, but you’re still welcome to come out for the “Meet Your Mentor” networking event. It takes place this Wednesday, June 18, 5:30pm, at SFU Harbour Centre, 515 W. Hastings St, Room 1400. The Round 3 finalists will get a chance to meet their mentor match-ups, and everyone from the NVBC community is welcome to attend, chill, nibble, and network.

The event is free, but please register online.