Become a Mentor

WHY BECOME A MENTOR?

Mentorship is a pivotal part of the MIT Climate and Energy Prize (MIT CEP). Many Semi-Finalists have stated that the mentorship they received through MIT CEP provided equal - and at times more - value than the funding they received through the competition. Mentors offer market insights and expert guidance to help our entrepreneurs succeed in the competition and beyond. Mentors are valued members of our community and are invited to attend the Semi-Finals & Finals.

How do I volunteer to be a mentor?

Please fill out the following 2025 mentor interest form below!

WHO SHOULD JOIN AS a MENTOR?

We invite industry professionals to join our mentorship database. Domains of expertise include:

  • Industry knowledge in different sustainability verticals

  • Venture capital and private equity

  • Product development and technology commercialization

  • Marketing and business development

  • Manufacturing and supply chain management

  • Team building and entrepreneurial management

  • Accounting and financial planning

  • Public policy

  • Legal and compliance

Some of our Previous mentors came from

HOW DOES MENTORING WORK?

Once you register as a mentor, we will email you in early February to confirm your interest. After the semi-finalists are selected, a form will be sent out to all potential mentors with each startup’s information. Mentors will be asked to select the startups they are most interested in mentoring. The semi-finalists submit their own forms selecting their mentors of interest and the CEP team creates matches accordingly. Please be aware that we may not be able to match you with a team this year — but there is always next year!

The time commitment we're looking for is around 1 hour every week or two weeks, from February through early April. Each team/mentor pairing schedules their own meetings, which may be remote or in-person. Activities may include business plan review and refinement, mock pitch feedback, and other types of coaching needed by the team. As a mentor, you will also be invited to the Semi-Finals & Finals.

Important Note: Mentors may not have a direct vested financial interest in the startup during their engagements in the CEP. Upon completion of the prize, mentors and startups are free to continue their engagement however they please.