WIMA Incubator Mentor Request for Proposals
Washington Interactive Network and enterpriseSeattle are soliciting proposals for mentors to track and guide a select group of entrepreneurs during the creation of their MVP (Most Viable Product). The entrepreneurs participating in these workshops will be pre-selected for inclusion in the Washington Interactive Media Accelerator. This program is funded by the Jobs and Innovation Accelerator Challenge grant.
The contractor will schedule periodic reviews and check-ins with selected companies for MVP and status updates. The contractor will provide mentorship to, and oversight of, the Incubator teams’ MVP development including engineering, art, sound, etc. In addition, mentors will guide activities related to business development, and the planned go-to-market strategy. At least two hours will be required per company per week for the duration of 4 months. An evaluation of the status and recommendations for each company will be given at the end of the mentorship time period.
Background: Washington Interactive Network is an economic development program designed to promote, nurture, and grow the interactive media industry in the state of Washington. We do this by working to promote the region and a global center for Interactive Media development and IP creation; working with educational institutions to ensure our workforce is prepared for the jobs of tomorrow; working with government and community leaders to ensure they understand the importance of this industry to our local economy; and working to grow our local businesses.
This industry is proven to be extremely entrepreneurial, but has little infrastructure or support services to assist new startups, to provide internships and other professional training opportunities, to collaborate on improved curriculum development and mentoring, or to provide both a common physical space and a virtual portal that will foster and maintain new businesses and potential employees. To address these and other related needs, the Washington Interactive Media Accelerator (WIMA) project is being developed.
WIMA is an innovative pilot project that is underway that will bring together industry, education, and economic development under one collaborative effort. It will be the central focus for industry support, and will operate a number of programs and provide needed services.
Please submit mentor proposals including all-in costs per company mentored based on two hours per week, per company for four months, and the final evaluation. Please also include costs for any additional hours if needed, maximum number of companies that can be mentored at one time, and industry qualifications of mentors.
Please submit proposals by June 7th to the below address or email to: cslater@enterpriseSeattle.org.
Carly Slater
enterpriseSeattle
1301 5th Avenue, Suite 2500
Seattle, Washington