We’re so thankful for our volunteers

Without our 200+ volunteer mentors and jurors, none of this would be possible. We thank them for their time and commitment to early-stage tech companies.

Learn more about our volunteer opportunities below. If you’re interested in getting involved, please complete this short interest form and we’ll get back to you.

Volunteer jury

Our judges are thoughtful, impartial, have a wide-range of tech background and knowledge, and generally hold deep expertise in one area.

Round 2 jurors evaluate hundreds of initial submissions, providing valuable written feedback and scores which help us narrow the field to our top 40 ventures.

Round 3 and 4 jurors watch and score pitches from our Top 25 Competitors, providing us with our Top 10 finalists. After the field has been narrowed, they watch and score our final Top 10 pitches. Through scoring, voting, and consensus, they name all top prize winners in the competition.

Our volunteers comprise of entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, past New Ventures BC prize winners, top tech CEOs, and leaders in higher education.

Mentorship volunteer program

Over 100 business experts mentor 25 competitor teams in Round 3 and 25 serve on mentor panels.

How do our mentors help? Team mentors answer questions, provide focus, examine the business plan, brainstorm possible partnerships, evaluate milestones, provide relevant contacts, evaluate presentations and advise on incorporation and intellectual property rights.

Panel mentors watch business pitches, offer feedback, answer questions and evaluate presentations.

Mentor code of conduct

Both mentors and competitors are bound by a code of ethics and conduct that reflects the principles and purpose of the New Ventures BC mentorship program:

  • Any conflict of interest must be acknowledged and avoided.
  • Mentors and competitors must maintain confidentiality, practice clear communication, display professional conduct and demonstrate their commitment to the relationship through cooperation, courtesy and mutual trust.
  • Entrants to the Competition are generally very early-stage startups. If your primary goal as a mentor is to find a good investment or buy your way into equity, please do not volunteer.

Want to volunteer? Here’s what we’re looking for.

To become a judge or a mentor: we’re looking for technology entrepreneurs, corporate financiers, industry experts and academic professionals.

The preferred qualifications are one of the following:

  • Successful experience as a technology-based entrepreneur;
  • Corporate finance experience – either investing in or raising investment for early-stage technology ventures;
  • Deep domain experience relevant to a NVBC participant company. This may include experience in operations, product development, sales, and marketing.

Interested in volunteering? Complete this interest form if you think your skills could benefit our competitors, and we’ll get back to you.