Startup Tucson Mentor Agreement

Thank you for your interest in mentoring with Startup Tucson. Our mentors are essential partners in building a thriving, inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Southern Arizona. By participating in any Startup Tucson program—including Build Mode, Growth Table, Action Advising, expert advising, Launch Lab, workshops, pitch support, or community-based activities such as TENWEST—you agree to the following terms:

Best Effort & Alignment

Mentors agree to:

• Offer their time, experience, and expertise in good faith.

• Support founders with constructive, founder-focused input based on their strengths and assigned role.

• Respect the scope of their designated mentor type (e.g., Build, Growth, Launch Lab, etc.).

• Participate in orientation and training as requested for alignment with Startup Tucson’s tools, methodology, and founder experience.

Confidentiality

Mentors agree to:

• Maintain the confidentiality of any proprietary, sensitive, or personal information shared by a founder.

• Refrain from sharing documents or details without explicit permission.

• Understand that some discussion with Startup Tucson staff may be required to support the founder’s success, while maintaining discretion.

Volunteer Role & Financial Interest

Mentors serve on a volunteer basis. As such:

• Mentors do not receive compensation from Startup Tucson for mentoring activities.

• Mentors are not covered by Startup Tucson insurance for claims arising from volunteer activities.

• Mentors must not sell services or products to mentees while in an active mentor role.

• Professional Service Mentors (e.g., attorneys, CPAs, bookkeepers) may offer services at a reduced rate only after fulfilling the required 1-hour consultation and must disclose paid engagements to Startup Tucson.

If a mentoring relationship transitions into a business, advisory, or investment relationship:

• The mentor must notify Startup Tucson in advance.

• An “Intent to Engage or Invest” disclosure form must be completed.

• The mentoring relationship must formally end prior to entering any paid, equity-based, or advisory relationship.

• The entrepreneur must seek independent, disinterested legal or financial advice before entering into any contract or agreement with a mentor.

In-Kind Valuation for Grant Reporting

Startup Tucson frequently applies for grants that require documentation of community in-kind contributions. 

By participating, mentors agree to: “I understand that Startup Tucson may include my volunteer hours as in-kind match in grant proposals and reports, using a fair market hourly rate of $50/hour. I confirm that this is within or below my typical billable or market rate and agree that my participation may be documented in this way for reporting purposes only.”

This acknowledgment is not financial compensation and does not imply any tax obligation. It simply enables Startup Tucson to demonstrate the value of community contributions to funders.

Conflicts of Interest

Mentors agree to:

• Disclose any real or potential conflicts of interest to Startup Tucson.

• Avoid mentoring engagements where personal, financial, or competitive interests may impair objectivity or fairness.

Transparency & Communication

Mentors are encouraged to:

• Keep Startup Tucson informed of their engagement with founders.

• Alert staff to any issues, concerns, or boundary-crossing in a mentoring relationship.

• Offer feedback on their mentoring experience and contribute ideas for improving the program.

Liability Disclaimer

Startup Tucson and its mentors do not guarantee any particular business outcomes. Founders are responsible for evaluating and implementing advice at their discretion. Neither mentors nor Startup Tucson assume liability for a founder’s business decisions or outcomes.

Professional Conduct

Mentors agree to:

• Maintain professional, respectful, and inclusive behavior in all mentoring interactions.

• Follow standard business etiquette in meetings, emails, and written feedback.

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries in all founder relationships.

Zero Tolerance Policy

Startup Tucson maintains a zero-tolerance policy for:

• Harassment

• Discrimination

• Abuse of power

• Unethical or unprofessional conduct

All mentors are expected to uphold Startup Tucson’s Code of Conduct. Any violation may result in immediate removal from the mentor program and the broader network.

Mentor Acknowledgment

By signing or electronically accepting this agreement, I confirm that: