The LaunchTN Mentor Networks: Student Edition is an eight-month mentoring program for early-stage Tennessee student-founded companies. STEM-focused startups will connect with a network of valuable guidance and resources while the founders continue to pursue their degrees.
Timeline:
Nov. 30 - Company applications due
Dec. 20 - Selected companies notified
January 2020 - LaunchTN company intake and mentor match (at company location)
February – March - Mentor intake and evaluation (in-person or virtual)
April - Panel 1: Marketing and sales
May - Panel 2: Finance
June - Panel 3: Strategy and culture
Aug. 26-27 - Final Panel and showcase at 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival
Startups
What you'll gain:
- A cohort experience with six other Tennessee student-run companies
- Four in-person panels and workshops with mentors and domain experts, including individual evaluation sessions
- Feedback and mentoring on your business model and go-to-market strategy, in addition to one or more mentors assigned to your company
- Startup showcase at 36|86 Entrepreneurship Festival
- Program travel expenses covered by LaunchTN
Startup eligibility:
- At least 50%* of each company’s founders and/or leadership team must be students currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at a university or college
- Full-time and part-time students are eligible
- At least one team member must be enrolled at a Tennessee university or college
- Company must have a written reference from a representative of their college or university
- Company should be focused on researching and developing STEM-related innovations (see FAQs for examples)
- At least one person from each company must be present at each of the four panel events. Three day-long sessions will be scheduled for April, May, and June; selected companies will commit to specific dates at the start of the program.
*Preference given to majority student teams
Teams must apply by Nov. 30 to join the 2020 cohort. For more information visit the LaunchTN website here.