Being a Circular Innovation Challenge Mentor
We’re looking for circular economy, business development, manufacturing, impact assessment, and other industry experts to help our Finalists refine their product ideas, financials, and presentations for the final pitch and chance to win a grand prize of $10,000 cash, continued mentorship, and access to investors.
The Circular Innovation Challenge is a business pitch competition awarding cash prizes, mentorship, and access to investors for the best manufactured product idea produced from ‘waste’ or recycled materials. Eight finalists will be selected to hone their business plan and pitch. Winner(s) will be announced at a (virtual) LIVE event on June 23rd.
This program is inspired by Austin’s [Re]Verse Pitch and New York City’s Curb to Market competitions.
Presented by Seattle Good Business Network, in partnership with the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, and made possible by a grant from the WA Department of Ecology.
Mentor Role Details
We’re looking for circular economy, business development, manufacturing, impact assessment, and other industry experts passionate about waste prevention and circular economy innovation to participate as mentors for our inaugural cohort of Circular Innovation Challenge 2021 finalists.
Mentors will provide subject-matter expertise, business and pitch coaching, and commit to being ‘on call’ (within limits!) for a seven-week program between 5/3 and 6/11, and attend a Mentor Cohort orientation on 4/27 1-2pm.
Applications for the competition are currently open for business/product ideas.
Applications will close on Friday, April 23rd at 11:59pm.
From the initial pool of applicants, up to eight will be chosen as Pitch Finalists. Finalists will have seven weeks to refine their business plan and pitch, to be submitted for final judging round by 6/11.
We’re asking our cohort of mentors to provide 1:1 assistance through scheduled weekly drop in ‘office hours’ and plan to host a dedicated subject-matter workshop to help finalists as they develop their product idea and business plan.
We’re looking for mentors with professional background and teachable skills in the following categories, and any others that would help the development of a pitch, product idea, or related field:
- Circular Product Design
- Business Plan Development
- Financial Modeling
- Social/Environmental Impact
- Workforce Development
- Sourcing/Supply Chain Logistics
- Marketing
- Manufacturing
- Investor Relations
- Pitch/Presentation Development
4/20 – Complete all Mentor Prep requirements (outlined below) in preparation for the Pitch Finalist Program
4/27 1-2pm PT – Mentors will attend a one-hour orientation to learn about the program, timeline, resources, and expectations
4/30 – Pitch Finalists are announced and notified. Mentors are given Pitch Finalist applications. Finalists are on-boarded to the Pitch Finalist Program (seven-weeks of Pitch development, 1:1 mentorship, workshops, and resources for final pitch competition)
5/4 10-11:30AM PT – Pitch finalists and mentors attend a 1.5 hour orientation: introductions, program overview, and next step 5/4– 6/11 – Pitch Finalists Program: weekly workshops, 1:1 mentorship, and pitch development. Final pitches are due 6/11 by 5pm PT
6/23 4:30-6:30pm PT – Mentors highly encouraged to attend LIVE Circular Innovation Challenge 2021 event. Winner announced.
Mentor Prep
Once confirmed as a mentor, please submit the following information (details found below) no later than 4/20 EOD.
Please submit all information by 4/20 EOD, through this online form here.
- Profile Details
2. Workshop Outline
3. Office Hours
The Circular Innovation Challenge would like to feature each of its participants including mentors for the program.
- Headshot (1080p minimum)
- Full Name, business, and title
- 1-3 sentences on your inspiration and/or goals as a mentor in the Circular Innovation Challenge 2021.
- What inspired you to be a mentor for the Circular Innovation Challenge finalists?
- What are you excited to bring to the participating finalists?
Each mentor will need to identify, plan, and execute a workshop, which will be attended by all Pitch Finalists. The details of your workshop may be refined up until the actual date of your workshop.
Workshop Date & Time:
Please identify a date and time between 5/4 and 6/4, during the week and workday hours, so that we may block off on pitch finalists’ calendars.
Workshop Agenda:
Please provide a tentative or final agenda that we can use to set schedules. Each workshop should be 60-90 minutes. If 60 minutes long, consider leaving the additional 30-minutes for Q&A from the Pitch Finalists.
Workshop Title: Should be clear as to which category your workshop falls under and what Pitch Finalists can expect to learn.
Example: Leading your packaging design with circular design
What Pitch Finalists can Expect:
Examples:
– Learning how to approach selection and sourcing of packaging materials
– What are best practices in designing packaging and labels
– Receive a template for defining who your consumer is and how to design your packaging with customer feedback
What Pitch Finalists Need to Prepare for this Workshop:
Examples:
– Complete template for workshop exercise
– Bring your current template or idea of packaging design
– Questions for the workshop host about how to source eco- labels
Mentors will identify a weekly one-hour block of time to dedicate to meeting with Pitch Finalists 1:1.
Each drop in “office hour” will be coordinated by our team and be provided with a zoom link to use for virtual conferencing.
Please reserve a weekly, one- or two-hour time slot that work for you between the dates of: 5/4 and 6/4.
Reach out to gro.doogelttaes@ocin with any questions!
Please submit all information by 4/20 EOD, through this online form here.
Please submit all information by 4/20 EOD, through this online form here.
Thank you to our program sponsors and partners
