NOVA University Innovation > For Companies & Non-Profits > Be a NOVA Mentor

The NOVA Mentor Network aims to support and consolidate entrepreneurial initiatives at NOVA’s innovation ecosystem.

Besides sharing their knowledge and experience, a mentor can help to define proper business strategies, build bridges between aspiring entrepreneurs and potential partners, customers or investors, facilitating access to critical resources, adding value and improving the conditions for the success of a business idea.

Be part of the NOVA Mentor Network. Come and contribute to the creation of more spin-offs and start-ups born from knowledge produced at NOVA.

Want to be our mentor?

Mentors with proven experience and skills are essential to the development of NOVA’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Mentors can help to (re)define strategies and build bridges with key players for the consolidation of innovative business ideas.

Join us, grow with us and contribute to the creation of the next NOVA Spin-off ®.

To apply to be a NOVA Mentor, check the FAQs and fill out the form below

FAQs

What is and what are the goals of NOVA Mentor Network?

The existence of a network of mentors with demonstrated experience and skills is crucial for the development of NOVA’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Besides sharing their knowledge and experience, a mentor can help to define proper business strategies, build bridges between aspiring entrepreneurs and potential partners, customers or investors, facilitating access to critical resources, adding value and improving the conditions for the success of a project or business idea.

The main goal of this mentor network is to support and consolidate entrepreneurial initiatives, encouraging the sharing of experiences, skills and know how between entrepreneurs and mentors, while bridging mentors’ expertise with the needs of spin-offs/start-ups.

What are the benefits of this mentor network?

Facilitated access to a network of experts with diverse skills, willing to advice, sharing experiences, motivating, building bridges and contributing with their critical capacity to anticipate problems and discuss solutions, aiming to increase the likelihood of success of a project or business idea.

Who can be a mentor?

Every member of NOVA’s community can be a mentor as long as they have the proven skillset and experience to support entrepreneurship projects, either from a scientific, technological, organizational or business perspective, including:

  • Alumni or students who are today experienced leaders or managers of start-ups or established companies;
  • Professors with relevant expertise to help developing innovative business ideas;
  • Other individuals (internal or external) with management skills and/or proven merit in other key areas, willing to support and advise entrepreneurs throughout the development of their business ideas.

If you want to be a mentor and believe you have the right skills to help NOVA entrepreneurs, please fill the form above.

Why be part of NOVA Mentor Network?

Being a mentor is an act of altruism. Motivations for mentoring can vary widely and may include:

  • Giving back to the University or society in general;
  • Enjoyment to support the development of innovative business ideas and to contribute for the success of new ventures;
  • Contribute to the social and economic valorization of the research and knowledge produced at NOVA;
  • Personal satisfaction in sharing experiences and knowledge;
  • Keep up to date with new technological or scientific developments, refreshing your own knowledge and refining leadership skills.
What do we expect from a mentor?
  • Participate in pro bono mentoring activities;
  • Accept being contacted through the NOVA Impact Office and answer questions raised by students, employees or other members of the NOVA community involved in innovation and entrepreneurship activities, as far as possible;
  • Provide at least one hour of their time per month for mentoring activities (this time may extended as long as it is agreed by mentor and mentored)
Do you want to know more about NOVA Mentor Network?

For other questions or doubts, please contact novaimpact@unl.pt