The Mentor in Residence (MIR) role is a core part of Grid110’s accelerator program, providing tailored guidance and hands-on support to participating entrepreneurs. Throughout the accelerator, MIRs lead weekly sessions and host 1:1 advising hours with their assigned founders.

By bringing their knowledge, experience, and lived perspective, MIRs play a meaningful role in helping founders navigate challenges, reach milestones, and build stronger, more resilient businesses.

MIRs commit to being an engaged, dependable presence throughout the full 16-week program. Each MIR is expected to:

• Lead three 2-hour cohort sessions, partnering with the program team to create an inclusive, engaging learning environment and offering real-world insight during discussions.

• Provide bi-weekly 1:1 mentor meetings with five assigned founders across the 16 weeks, preparing in advance, tailoring guidance to each company’s goals, and documenting action items and progress.

• Participate in one in-person orientation and one in-person community gathering, helping set a supportive and collaborative tone for the cohort.

• Review session agendas and founder materials ahead of each touchpoint to ensure conversations are thoughtful, relevant, and actionable.

• Listen deeply to founders’ needs, surface practical tools and frameworks, and support accountability between sessions.

• Flag risks, gaps, or emerging needs early to the program team, collaborating to ensure founders are supported from multiple angles.

• Communicate proactively with the program team around scheduling, founder progress, and any challenges that arise.

• Offer honest, constructive feedback that supports founder growth without adding unnecessary pressure.

• Maintain an equity-centered approach that honors lived experience, challenges bias, and aligns with Grid110’s values.

• 5+ years as a founder or senior operator with measurable outcomes

• Strong facilitation skills and comfort leading group sessions with support from Grid110 staff

• Proven one-on-one coaching or advising experience that results in clear goals, next steps, and follow-through

• An equity-centered, culturally responsive approach aligned with Grid110’s values

• A reliable, prepared presence with consistent availability for weekly sessions and 1:1 meetings

• Deep ties to the Los Angeles entrepreneurial ecosystem and a network they’re willing to open up to founders

• Comfort using basic tools such as Notion, Zoom, and a lightweight CRM

Areas of Expertise

While all MIRs are expected to be adaptable and founder-centric, the program is intentionally structured around four core business focus areas:

• Fundraising & Capital Strategy

• Product & Service Development

• Team, Leadership, & Organizational Health

• Growth, Operations, & Systems

Our ideal Mentor-in-Residence cohort brings together individuals with deep expertise in at least one of these areas, while still being able to support founders across a wide range of business questions as they arise.

This structure reflects our ideal mix, not a rigid requirement. The final MIR cohort may shift based on the strengths, lived experiences, and complementary skill sets of selected mentors.

At its core, the goal is to build a collaborative, well-rounded mentor team that meets founders where they are and supports them across the full spectrum of challenges they’re navigating.

MIRs are expected to commit approximately 10–15 hours per month and are compensated through four $750 stipends ($3,000 total). Over the 16-week program, each MIR can expect to contribute approximately 60 hours, depending on advising cadence and in-person touchpoints.

In total, MIRs typically average 3-5 hours per week, with flexibility built in for preparation, documentation, and collaboration with the program team.