MentorNet
KAUST MentorNet supports entrepreneurship at KAUST by matching entrepreneurs with skilled mentors from different fields of expertise and industries. Mentors provide startup founders with the business and technical experience needed to navigate the venture process while mitigating risks and leveraging opportunities. The mission of MentorNet is to foster a connected ecosystem of entrepreneurship that empowers startup success and founder growth.
Mentors are an important part of the startup process, especially for early stage ventures that do not have direct experience in many of the core functions required for running a business. The most requested areas of expertise include: marketing, product development, accounting, funding, legal, and human resources. We are also looking for scientific technical advisor’s areas such as advanced computing, VR/AR, energy, IoT, BioTech and AgTech.
MentorNet is open to startups that are part of the KAUST entrepreneurship ecosystem. Mentors are volunteers from the community who have a proven track record of success in their area of expertise. Mentors advise entrepreneurs pro bono on-campus or virtually for approximately 2-4 hours per month.
Interested?
Mentor Areas Of Expertise
- Accounting/ Finance/ Financial Modeling
- Business Modeling (Business Model/ Lean/ Value Prop Canvases)
- Growth (user/ customer acquisition, sales, scalability)
- Hardware/ Manufacturing
- Marketing (logo, branding, UI/UX, strategy, digital, growth
- People Management (founding team issues/ culture)
- Product Design (CAD/ industrial design)
- Software Development
- Startup/ Early Stage Business Strategy
We are looking for mentors! Interested? Join the program now.
Mentors must have a proven track record of success in their areas of expertise. We are looking for mentors with 5+ years of business or industry-related experience, and/or startup or mentoring experience.
Mentors should be available in-person, by phone, or virtually to support startups for approximately 2-4 hours per month. Mentors should be available to attend two annual events: a mentor orientation and startup meet-and-greet.
KAUST MentorNet Team
Hattan Ahmed Head, Entrepreneurship Center
Rayan Alrasheed Startup Incubator Lead
Nawaf Algain Program Manager
1. What is KAUST MentorNet?
KAUST MentorNet supports entrepreneurship at KAUST by matching entrepreneurs with skilled mentors from different fields of expertise and industries. Mentors provide startup founders with the business and technical experience needed to navigate the venture process while mitigating risks and leveraging opportunities. The mission of MentorNet is to foster a connected ecosystem of entrepreneurship that empowers startup success and founder growth.
2. What are the mentor areas of expertise?
- Accounting/ Finance/ Financial Modeling
- Business Modeling (Business Model/ Lean/ Value Prop Canvases)
- Growth (user/ customer acquisition, sales, scalability)
- Hardware/ Manufacturing
- Marketing (logo, branding, UI/UX, strategy, digital, growth hacking)
- Legal (IP: patents/ trademarks/ copyrights/ company formation/ NDAs/ contracts/ equity)
- People Management (founding team issues/ culture)
- Product Design (CAD/ industrial design)
- Software Development
- Startup/ Early Stage Business Strategy
- Technical advisory: advanced computing, VR/AR, energy, IoT, BioTech and AgTech
3. What are the commitments for mentors?
Mentors should be available in-person, by phone, or virtually to support startups for approximately 2-4 hours per month. Mentors should be available to attend two annual events: a mentor orientation and startup meet-and-greet.
3. How do I apply?
Apply online: https://kaust.link/MentorNet19 Accepted mentors will be contacted by the KAUST Entrepreneurship Center.