Behind every good startup are dozens of conversations with mentors, peers, experts and supporters who challenge your thinking, open new doors and help you level up. At the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute, we believe mentorship isn’t just guidance—it’s part of the engine that helps ventures grow and adapt.
Whether you’re a founder navigating early-stage decisions or a seasoned professional looking to give back, this is your invitation to connect. Mentorship at Edson E+I is relationship-driven, rooted in trust and built for real-world impact.
For Founders: Build a Mentor Team Like You Build a Product
There’s no one-size-fits-all mentor. In fact, we tell founders to collect mentors like you collect Pokémon—each with unique strengths, abilities and limitations. Your job as a founder is to:
- Know when to engage different mentors for different moments.
- Be honest and direct about what kind of support you need.
- Understand expectations and boundaries early.
- Be protective of your time and resources.
- DO THE WORK, be professional and treat the mentor’s time with respect.
In Phoenix, we have an amazing mix of retired executives, community leaders, experienced founders and technical experts. But here’s the catch: mentorship looks different in every ecosystem. In Silicon Valley, being someone’s mentor might mean texting intros to a Venture Capitalist. In Arizona, mentorship might mean providing accountability or asking the right tough questions that move your idea forward and help expand your network.
We’ve designed Edson E+I’s mentoring structure to reflect this diversity. Some of our mentors are connected to formal programs like Venture Devils or Chandler Endeavor. Others pop in for open office hours, pitch events or community forums. You’ll meet mentors who are startup operators and others who have worked for decades in enterprise. Your job is to find the right match for your current stage.
Bottom line: You’ll get the most out of mentorship if you show up with curiosity, intention and clarity. Start with Pitch In (we host them twice per month!)—they’re designed as a safe space for founders to share, learn and connect.
For Mentors: Share What You Know, Shape What’s Next
If you’re someone who’s scaled a company, led an initiative or built a career solving complex problems, we need you. Our E+I Mentor Community supports everyone from K-12 students launching their first idea to faculty researchers spinning out deep tech startups.
Why mentor with Edson E+I?
- Be part of a thriving, mission-driven innovation ecosystem.
- Connect with a diversity of ASU students, researchers and community founders.
- Stay sharp by engaging with bold ideas and creative energy.
- Support ventures aligned with your own values and expertise.
- Help create an inclusive, scalable impact in Arizona and beyond.
We’re also honest about the mentoring landscape. In Phoenix, many of our mentors are semi-retired or balancing active careers. That’s why we offer flexible formats—from structured programs to one-time events, panel discussions or office hours. Whatever time you give, we’ll help it matter.
Real Talk: Navigating Mentorship in Arizona
Mentorship can get murky. Some people use “mentoring” to fill their client pipeline. Others mean well but overstep. And some of the best mentors aren’t flashy—they’re the ones who show up consistently, listen well and know when to say “I don’t know.”
Here’s what we encourage:
- Transparency: Be clear about your role. Mentors at Edson E+I may not ask for payment or equity while engaged in the program.
- Intentionality: We match mentors and founders when it makes sense, but many of the best connections happen at events, during pitch feedback or in passing.
- Shared Values: We don’t believe in “shark tank” feedback. Our mentors ask good questions, share lived experience and empower founders to make their own decisions.
Giving Back: The Other Side of Mentorship
Mentorship isn’t just about receiving guidance, it’s also about paying it forward. While it’s often a free and generous offer of time and insight, the most impactful relationships are reciprocal. One of the best ways to give back is by supporting others who are just a few steps behind you. Whether it’s offering encouragement, sharing a lesson you learned the hard way, or simply listening—your presence makes a difference.
Reaching out to someone who’s navigating the path you’ve already walked doesn’t just help them grow, it deepens your appreciation for the mentors who supported you, too. You start to see the effort, the patience, and the belief they offered, and you’ll feel more connected to the cycle of support that keeps entrepreneurial communities strong.
A few easy ways to give back:
- Send a thank-you email or thoughtful update to a mentor
- Offer a quick intro or connection to someone in your network
- Share templates or resources that helped you
- Check in with a newer founder or teammate who might need a boost
- Let your mentor know you’re happy to help if they ever need it
Generosity creates momentum. And the more we invest in each other, the stronger—and more grounded—our ecosystem becomes.
How to Get Involved
Founders
Start by attending a Pitch In, then apply to pitch or join one of our incubators like Chandler Endeavor. Once you are involved in our free Edson E+I programs, you are invited to request free mentoring!
Mentors
Ready to give back? Fill out our mentor interest form, and we’ll be in touch with the next steps!
Upcoming Ways to Connect
- Pitch In (the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month) A casual space to pitch, give feedback, and meet mentors
- Workshops & Panels: Interactive events where you can engage live with founders
- Monthly Forums: Venture development in action—join a founder at the table and help solve real business challenges. Many of these forums are starting again in September.
Shape the Future of Innovation
Arizona entrepreneurs need mentors—we need people. If you’re willing to ask good questions, share your story and hold space for someone else’s journey, there’s a place for you at Edson E+I.
Founders: Find your people.
Mentors: Help us change the world through the power of entrepreneurship. Learn more about the Mentoring Community at Edson E+I.
Let’s build this innovation ecosystem together.
