Just in Time Mentors (JITM) is a program run by Refresh Annapolis Valley (F5 AV) that allows entrepreneurs to present new business ideas or start-ups to receive feedback from volunteer mentors. The goal of JITM is to help creators validate and refine their ideas through mentor expertise and experience. During sessions, creators give a 10-20 minute pitch to mentors and attendees. Mentors then provide constructive criticism and suggestions. Both mentors and attendees can observe and learn from the process. A case study example described a startup that pitched a semantic search technology and received helpful feedback from both technology and business mentors to refine their product and business model. The JITM guidelines provide tips for

1. Just in Time Mentors
F5 AV

2. What is Refresh Annapolis Valley (F5 AV)?
•New Media professional association
•Founded in late 2012
•Monthly networking meet-ups w/presentations
•Broad participation: software developers,
designers, and entrepreneurs
•Campus faculty, students, private companies

3. What is F5://JITM?
•A cadre of experts, enthusiasts and
interested parties
•A tool for entrepreneurs to validate and
refine their new start-up
•A way to foster innovation in the Valley
•Think “community sourced Dragon’s Den”

4. The JITM Model
•Creators pitch, refine and progress
•Mentors lend their expertise/experience
•Attendees observe and learn
•Everyone benefits
•Innovation in the Valley grows

5. Who can participate?
Anyone!

6. A Case Study – Semantic Search Start-Up
• Creators were 3 start-up founders in search space
• Their goals:
• Validate developed technology
• Refine their business model
• JITM mentors listened to and then critiqued pitch
• Technology mentors validated:
• Underlying technology assumptions
• Appropriateness of the software designed
• Business mentors refined marketing and monetization opportunities
• Mentors feedback helped refine their pitchfor future investors

7. Mentors
•Experience is cool but not required
•Participate, watch, learn it’s all good!
•Pick and choose the sessions that fit
•Lend your skills to boost innovation
•Grow as a community leader!

8. Creators
•Have an idea or business plan to validate?
•Dry-run your pitch in a safe environment
•Obtain free, valuable input on your idea
•Refine, evolve, spin again

9. Attendees
•“Everyone else”
•Observe & learn
•Freedom to attend without expectations
•Provides pitch audience
•Allows Mentors to “sit out” some sessions

10. Mentor Guidelines
• Goal is 3-8 mentors
• Be Positive
• Be Realistic
• Share your knowledge/experience
• Advise & guide vs. direct
• Some “homework” may be required
• Remember, it’s their idea!

11. Creator Guidelines
• Come prepared with a 10-20 minute pitch
• Pitch like you mean it
• Include all facets of your pitch
• Printed materials
• Websites
• Business plans
• Can be mock-ups
• Be open to all feedback

12. Tips for a Good Pitch
•Keep it simple
•Keep it interesting
•Find your focus
•Deliver with enthusiasm
•Be ready for tough questions

13. Some Examples…
•A new service
•Innovative use of a physical space
•An novel approach to an old problem
•Repurpose an existing product or idea
…and just about anything you can imagine!

14. …and some bad examples
•An emerging or not fully-developed idea
•Extending the reach/market of an
existing product/service
•“Selling” to the group

15. Session Format
•Creator gives pitch (10-20 mins)
•Mentors review & feed back
•Open format/discussion

16. Post Session
•Mentors may provide afterthoughts
•Creators can keep group informed of
progress
•Can re-pitch if significant changes

17. Creating a Session
•Creator contacts F5 AV
•Creator sends out short abstract
•Mentors review and confirm participation
•A date is set!
•Attendees are always welcome

18. What next?
•We need mentors and creators!
•Got an idea to pitch?
•Want to participate?
•Let us know!
•Your feedback will help improve this process