FAQs

 

VaanGuard, the new network of advanced mentors, is looking for qualified individuals to be a part of the new to mentor entrepreneurs in high-growth-potential businesses. If you enjoy associating with passionate, energetic and creative people, VaanGuard is for you.

An entrepreneur alone is an entrepreneur at risk. Studies show that companies run by leaders who meet regularly with advisors grow revenues at more than twice the rate of those that do not.

VaanGuard is operated by C-Cap, Cincinnati’s Angel Capital Hub, in cooperation with the Queen City Angels group of angel investors. Since 2000 C-Cap and QCA have been helping new “gazelle” companies find seed stage capital and get the help they need to become successful. Queen City Angels has funded 30 companies, but many entrepreneurs go unfunded or fail because they lack the network and the skills to build credible businesses. As part of the State of Ohio's Third Frontier program for building Ohio's information-age economy, we have created the new VaanGuard mentoring program to fill that gap.

Qualifications

You are a potential VaanGuard advisor if:

  • You are a veteran business owner, a top executive-level manager or a seasoned specialist in a specific industry or discipline;
  • You are interested in helping early-stage businesses and have relevant knowledge, experience and "lessons learned" that can be useful to entrepreneurs;
  • You are willing to openly share your business knowledge - both successes and failures;
  • You are willing to commit to working with entrepreneurs on a volunteer basis for up to 10 hours a quarter.

Roles

There are a several roles that advisors can play within VaanGuard. They include:

  1. Advisory Board: Entrepreneurs that build advisory boards are looking for help guiding their company through the complexities of growth and with specific problem solving skills. This group will typically consist of three to five people, each of whom has a senior level of functional-area expertise, has held senior level positions in business, and/or is a seasoned entrepreneur.
  2. Expert Advisor: These advisors have a deep level of expertise in a particular functional or industry specialty. These volunteers offer input in a variety of settings on an as-needed basis.
  3. Mentor: Working directly with an entrepreneur, the mentor will act as an objective executive advisor offering advice, insights, accountability and support. It must be an inherently trusting relationship to encourage the entrepreneur to engage in candid conversations about business issues, life balance concerns and his or her own leadership development.

Our VaanGuard Director will pre-screen all companies and select only the ones with a real chance for success, so our mentors can focus on addressing real needs in a promising company. The company and mentors control the pace and scope of the arrangement. The VaanGuard Director is available for further guidance and assignment of new or additional mentors when appropriate. An orientation will be provided for both the entrepreneur and the mentor before beginning the program.

Our Partners

C-Cap and QCA are partnering with the Hamilton County Business Center and BioStart incubators and with CincyTechUSA to make VaanGuard and the entire Third Frontier initiative a success.

Register as a VaanGuard Advisor

If you are interested in becoming a VaanGuard Advisor, please contact the VaanGuard manager at mentor@thecircuit.net.