BCIC New Ventures: Regional – Competition Jury and Mentors
Both the competition jury and mentors are experienced members of the business community. They include venture capitalists, bankers, chief executive officers, angel investors and experts from industry and academia.
The Jury
The jury’s job, says BCIC – New Ventures Competition board member Michael Volker, is to “pick the idea most likely to be commercially viable with the greatest value.”
There is a different jury for Rounds 1, 2, and 3. Each jury member evaluates submissions and presentations and offers feedback. Together, each round’s jury decides who advances to the next round.
The Mentors
Business experts mentor 20 competitor teams in Round 3.
Mentors answer questions, provide focus, examine the business plan, brainstorm possible partnerships, evaluate milestones, provide relevant contacts, evaluate presentations and advise on incorporation and intellectual property rights.
Who can be a mentor?
Successful technology entrepreneurs, corporate financiers, industry experts and academic professionals who have registered with and been accepted by BCIC-NVC: Regional organizers.
Code of conduct
Both mentors and competitors are bound by a code of ethics and conduct that reflects the principles and purpose of the BCIC — New Ventures Competition mentorship program:
- Any conflict of interest must be acknowledged and avoided.
- Mentors and competitors must maintain confidentiality, practice clear communication, display professional conduct and demonstrate their commitment to the relationship through cooperation, courtesy and mutual trust.
BCIC-NVC: Regional teams are generally very early-stage startups. If your primary goal as a mentor is to find a good investment or buy your way into equity, please do not volunteer.
E-mail us at mentor@newventuresbc.com if you think your skills could benefit our competitors.