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Mentor guidelines 2019

Overview 2019 Kickstart Accelerator bridges the gap between startups, corporates, cities, foundations and universities to accelerate deep tech innovation across different verticals, bringing together key actors in these fields. Kickstart Accelerator is an initiative of Impact Hub Zürich.

Each year, Kickstart brings around 60 entrepreneurs to Switzerland to collaborate with key players for proof-of-concepts, pilot projects and other innovation partnerships. In 2019, Kickstart runs four verticals (6-10 startups per vertical) focusing on deep technologies (science and engineering driven technologies such as AI, Big Data, Blockchain and others) in Zurich:● Cybersecurity● EdTech & Learning,● FinTech & Crypto,● Food & Retail Tech,● Health Tech● Smart Cities & Infrastructure.

Role

What is a mentor?KSAcc Mentors have a track record as an entrepreneur and want to share their knowledge and experiences with the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Your role as a mentorAs a KSAcc Mentor● You are genuinely motivated to work with entrepreneurs and give your best to support the

development of your mentee and his/her startup● You are a guide, who shares his/her knowledge and experience and who does not try to control,

but acknowledges that the teams have to take their own decisions● You are a door-opener who connects with his/her networks when appropriate● You provide your mentee with actionable advice and challenge him/her in a constructive way

What we offer you

● Possible compensation for travel expenses● Access to a wide network of other experts, mentors, investors, corporate partners and many

more● Exposure on our website and on our social media channels● Tickets to all major events● Access to the Kickstart Accelerator space (the innovation space Kraftwerk - Selnaustrasse 25,

8001 Zurich) during the program

Guidelines

● 1 mentor per startup● Time requirements: total of min. 29h, divided into:

○ 17h: 10 weeks (2h per week for the 7 weeks of the Collaboration Sprints and 1h per week for the break period) mentoring your startup (you are free to decide together with your startup how you use this time)

○ 2h: mentor onboarding○ 2h: mentoring kick-off event○ 8h: reserved for supporting other KSAcc startups with your expertise,

facilitated by KSAcc team● Mentor-mentee match making will take place once the startups are selected● Number of mentors in the KSAcc mentor pool exceeds number of startups,

therefore mentor spots can’t be guaranteed until after the mentor-mentee matching

Timeline 2019

Dec

Planning of PoCs and other collaborations

Onboarding of the startups

Selection phase of the startups with partners and experts

Active outreach phase

Lessons learned

Launching Kickstart 2020

March 1

Recruiting and onboarding of mentors and experts

May 31 Jul 9

Sept 2 Sept 6 Nov 8

Outreach Phase

Selection Phase

Onboarding Phase Planning Sprint Wrap-up

Key dates & events

● Application start April 15*● Application deadline May 31● Final Selection (bootcamp) July 8-9● Startups confirmed July 26 ● Mentor matching July● Mentor onboarding event August

*subject to change

Key dates & events

● Planning Sprint Sept 2 - Sept 6● Mentoring kick-off event 1st week of Sept● Opening Ceremony Sept 6● Mentor & Expert Get Together TBA● Collaboration Sprint Sept 30 - Nov 8● Closing Ceremony Nov 8

Virtual sprint

Prep. work

Video calls

Collaboration Sprint

Implementation of PoCs and other collaborations

Numerous events and formats focused on- PoC initiation- Business development- Mentorship and learning- Networking in Switzerland

Sept 30

The Venue: Kraftwerk

Kraftwerk is the innovation and collaboration hotspot of

Switzerland located in the heart of Zurich.

The former transformer station turned into an inspiring work

and event space is the home of Kickstart Accelerator during

the sprints. Thus, partners can also access Kraftwerk

during this time for meetings & coworking.

Kraftwerk is an initiative of digitalswitzerland, Engagement

Migros, ewz and Impact Hub Zürich.

More information: www.kraftwerk.host

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