How to Apply

The first step is to fill out a VMN Venture Interest Form. This provides us with background information concerning your venture’s current situation and needs. Experience has shown that entrepreneurs must be ready for mentoring and in a position to act on mentor suggestions in order to realize the greatest value from mentoring. Traits that we typically look for, but which are not necessarily required, include:

• Committed, capable founder
• Clarity of market position
• Clearly-articulated business model
• Demonstrable technology (if tech-based company)
• Proof of concept
• Customers and some revenue, even minimal
• A written business plan
• Founder/team’s ability to execute its vision
• Willingness of entrepreneur to be coached

All applicants will be invited to meet with a Venture Advisory Team. The primary objective of this “first contact” meeting is to better understand your venture, evaluate what stage it is in and how best the Berkley Center can help. Based on this meeting, an assessment will be made regarding which of our Venture Development Programs would best suit your needs given your current stage.

For more information on the program, you can contact Professor Jeffrey Carr, jcarr0@stern.nyu.edu.