ABOUT
NAV Overview
The NAV program is based on the belief that a venture is far more likely to thrive when an entrepreneur can draw on the advice and guidance of a group of mentors with proven skills and experience. The program is open to scalable ventures located in the North Atlanta region with a working concept and beyond from the following high growth target sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, I.T./Technology, Makers/Inventors, Corporate Operations, Culinary, and Film/Media. Through active support of entrepreneurs, NAV contributes to entrepreneurship education and catalyzes innovation while working to make Cherokee County the number 1 place in the state to start a business.
How it works
NAV is principled and trained by the MIT Venture Mentoring Service, a team-based approach to mentorship. The program consists of volunteer mentors, who are overseen and supported in their mentoring role by the NAV team and COED staff. Mentors referred to the program are carefully selected based off of their expertise. NAV Mentors are matched to a venture team based on the needs of the entrepreneur as well as the interest and skill set of the mentors.
NAV Team
Misti Martin
COED President & Founding NAV Team Member
Heath Tippens
COED Vice President & Founding NAV Team Member
Lee Freeman-Smith
COED Program Manager
Hannah Garrison
COED Program & Events Coordinator
Jim Bulger
NAV Mentor Chairperson
Russ Sanders
FactoryMation President & Founding NAV Team Member