Empower Queensland FAQs
Below are frequently asked questions and our answers about Empower Queensland. To become a mentor or entrepreneur in Cohort 2 of Empower Queensland, submit an application by May 23rd at entrepreneurfutures.org/empower-queensland
1. When does Empower Queensland program occur?
Cohort 1: Empower Queensland applications for Cohort 1 closed on March 14th at 10am AEST. Onboarding and training will take place in April. The program will run April -September.
Cohort 2: Empower Queensland applications for Cohort 2 closes on May 23rd at 10am AEST. Onboarding and training will take place in June. The program will run June -September.
2. What is the duration of a mentoring assignment?
4-6 months
3. Approximately, how many hours should mentors plan for in an assignment?
Approximately one to two hours per month.
4. What tools are used to facilitate team and mentor collaboration?
EFN Online is a collaborative platform that allows easy messaging for all team members and mentors. The platform has 800 members including many of EFN’s mentors. Empower Queensland teams can set up team groups to securely collaborate and share documents among the team and mentors.
5. How are mentors and teams expected to work together?
Mentors are expected to work together consistent with EFN’s Mentor Guidelines and teams with EFN’s Entrepreneurs/Mentee Guidelines
They use a variety of EFN tools and frameworks including our Venture Assessment Tool to help plan and execute their work together.
They establish mutual commitments for their work together. A mentoring relationship is a formal commitment for both mentor and entrepreneur/mentees. We take this very seriously. A brief, simple, informal written agreement (in an email or document) is recommended.
6. How are mentors and team members matched?
Matches are made by the EFN team based on the information provided in the application.
7. Are mentors compensated?
People accepted into EFN’s mentor network agree to volunteer to mentor entrepreneurs and students during a specific EFN program.
8. Who is eligible to mentor?
We are open to mentors of all backgrounds and industries. We will consider the following criteria in making matches: Industry & Expertise
9. What is expected of mentors?
Mentors are required to:
–Meet 1 hour/ month for 4-6 months depending on the length of the cohort
–Be responsive and engaged with mentees
–Reach out to mentees first once match notifications are received
–Attend 4 1-hour training sessions (optional)
–Review the mentorship guidelines
–Attend the final pitch event (date/time tbd) (optional)
–Attend the mentor kick-off/ training
–Join EFN Online to connect with mentee and other participants
10. Who is eligible to be an entrepreneur with Empower Queensland?
Entrepreneurs up to age 39 from all backgrounds and industries with projects at any level are encouraged to apply. While all applications are assessed competitively against the same criteria, preference may be given to:
–University students and emerging entrepreneurs up to age 30,
–Regional Queensland/outback applicants,
–Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and/or
–Advance Queensland grant recipients,
in cases where those applications are competitive and identifies as meritorious by the independent assessment panel.
11. What is expected of entrepreneurs?
–Meet 1 hour/ month for 4-6 months depending on the length of the cohort
–Be responsive and engaged with mentor
–Attend program kickoff and training (90 minutes)
–Attend 4 1-hour webinar training sessions
–Complete bi-monthly deliverables
–Complete a final 4-5 page business plan
–Attend the final pitch event (date/ time tbd) & give a 5 minute pitch presentation
–Join EFN Online to connect with mentor and other participants