NAV Mentors

Why be a NAV Mentor?

North Atlanta Venture Mentoring Service (NAV) is principled and trained off of the MIT Venture Mentoring Service (VMS). The program consists of volunteer mentors, who are overseen and supported in their mentoring role by the NAV team. Mentors are referred to the program and selected for their experience and expertise across a multitude of areas regarding business formation, operations, scaling and for their enthusiasm for this groundbreaking program – the first of its kind in Georgia. Mentors can be an experts in any field or industry whether it be a startup founder, C-level executives, retired executives, or serial entrepreneurs. This wide range of experience brings a unique wealth of knowledge across a broad range of markets and industries. Mentorship teams are initially formed based on the needs of the entrepreneur and the interest and expertise of our mentors. NAV Venture Teams are fluid and can change throughout the duration of the program based on the ventures evolving needs.

NAV Mentors are motivated and committed to giving back by sharing their knowledge, expertise, and guidance to the next generation of entrepreneurs through this program. Mentors participate in part because of the prestigious reputation attached to MIT’s history of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. NAV mentors are trained by current MIT Venture Mentoring Service mentors to carry out their duties in guiding a venture through the rocky waters of entrepreneurship. NAV mentors have joined the NAV team in our mission to make both North Atlanta and Cherokee County the #1 place in the state to start and grow your business.

Who can apply to be a NAV Mentor?

Professionals who have significant and relevant experience with professional skills, business roles, and industry knowledge.
Professionals who can dedicate a minimum of 1 to 2 days of participation with their venture team(s) each month.
Professionals who can provide objective and unbiased advice and guidance. The mentor’s mission is to guide – not to do. Mentors listen, coach, and advise.
Professionals who are willing to work with other mentors to provide team-based mentoring, develop the entrepreneur and their business, and follow NAV guiding principles.

Become A Mentor

How can I become a mentor?

NAV encourages professionals who are exceptional in their field and want to give back to the next generation of entrepreneurs to apply as a mentor. Those interested can follow the “Become A Mentor” button above and complete the application. Please provide at least two references with your application. After receiving the application, the NAV team will reach out to schedule an interview.

Typical Mentor onboarding from application to the first mentoring session takes approximately 6-8 weeks.

I'm a mentor. Now What?

NAV mentors can expect to spend 1-2 days (aggregate) with the program per month depending on the number of teams they serve on. A major component of the program is the Monthly Mentor Meeting with the NAV team and their fellow mentors to share updates, best practices, challenges, and hear new companies pitch their venture. In addition to the Mentor Meetings, mentors will meet with their venture based on the individual needs of each venture.

Our mentors and entrepreneurs adhere to a strict code of ethics and guiding principles in order to protect participants on both sides of the table. These guidelines assure that all ventures will receive impartial and unbiased advice from their team of mentors.

NAV Mentors

Colin Ake

Kennesaw State University

Director of Incubation & Commercialization

Kyle Behnke

UFL Services

Co-Founder and CEO

Laurie Buckley

NetFocus Corp.

Founder

Jim Bulger

WorkThrive

President & Founder

Mark Caldwell

Serial Entrepreneur

Investor

Michael Caldwell

Black Airplane

Co-Founder

Steve Cantonis

Pariveda

Vice President – Atlanta

Chris Cornelison

Kennesaw State University

Interim Associate Vice President for Innovation and Commercialization, Director of Intellectual Property Development, and Associate Professor of Microbiology