Application Requirements

Apply Here 

To apply to the program you must:

• Be a high technology company. 
• Be based in the Sacramento region or plan to have a presence in the region.
• Have an executive summary and PPT presentation available to submit with the application.
  The GreatStart Resources web page contains examples and guidelines of Business Plans, PPT presentations and much more. Feel free to use these resources as a template or model.

The GreatStart Mentorship program application process utilizes AngelSoft, a web based program used by investors to share deal flow with each other. We decided this is a great tool to use since many investors also use the tool and we could easily share your data with your future investors when the time comes.

Getting started is very easy just click on the application link then select register if it’s your first time or login if you are returning. You will then be prompted to fill in all the data about your company to date. We will be alerted your data has been entered and we will review it and get back to you within 10 business days.

Once you pass that hurdle the senior team may invite you to present to a panel of mentors. At that time you will receive feedback and if accepted will be assigned a mentor, you will be informed about the mentor and any other feedback from the initial panel at the post panel meeting with staff.

Process

1. After the GreatStart Mentorship Program application and attachments (business description, bios of the team, financial projections, and contact information) have been submitted it will be reviewed to ensure all qualifications are met and any necessary supporting materials have been collected. Based on the application a decision will be made to have a phone or face-to-face interview with staff.
    
2. Next a staff member will contact you to schedule an initial meeting with an entry panel. The purpose of the meeting is to assess whether The GreatStart Mentorship Program is appropriate for the company and how we can best help the company meet its goals. The panel will decide whether to admit the team to the program and make suggestions to futher attend workshops and make revisions to the submitted documents.
    
3. Once a company is accepted into the program (three applications possible in total) the mentoring will commence, a mentor will be assigned. You will work together to create your plan and strategy. You will be given approximately 90 days to complete your business plan and investor presentation so you can go back to our panel for review. The criteria1 can be seen on our website.
    
4. A second panel presentation will be scheduled to advance to the next stage. In the second stage the coaching will be more intense, more workshops may be required, and your mentor will help focus the team on getting a proof of concept and some customer traction, including suggestions in getting some government grants.
    
5. A third larger panel will be scheduled with criteria 2 to pass. Again, the team can present a total of three times to pass. A team passing to the next level will get more legal, technical, and market coaching, likely from future investment sources.
    
6. Finally the team will make a presentation to a final panel. This is the last step in GreatStart Mentorship Program. Teams passing this hurdle should be ready to talk seriously to investors. They should have a refined concept, a proof of market interest, and hopefully some contracts for prototypes.
    
7. Graduation ceremony with certificate
   When companies are accepted into the program entrepreneurs can draw upon our large list of experts:
   
   

   Investors Human Resource pros Relocation Experts Banking Experts

   Strategists Business Insurance Agents Staffing Professionals Funding Professional

   Lawyers– IP/Corporate Bookkeeping/Accounting pros Marketing / PR pros Recruiters