Mentors provide volunteer support and guidance^[1] to Teams during InnovAction. Mentors are optional, and Teams are not required to include a Mentor in their Team Profile in order to compete in InnovAction. Teams may select their own Mentor(s) or request that YABT assign a Mentor to them. Mentors are registered at the time of Team registration. Mentors may not participate or be present in the Team presentations during the Finals (see E. Competition Rounds, Selection and Awarding of Winners). There is no restriction regarding age, nationality, experience, or education of the Mentors.

The following individuals are ineligible to participate as mentors:

– InnovAction judges;

– YABT Staff and members of its national chapters;

– YABT officials and members of its Board of Directors;

– IAF staff, contractors, and members of its Board of Directors and Advisory Council;

– Organization of American States’ General Secretariat personnel; and

– Immediate family or households members of anyone mentioned above.

Mentors participate on a voluntary basis and will not be paid by the team, by YABT, the IAF, Sponsors, InnovAction, or other partners.

^[1] Some examples of assistance that Mentors provide include answering questions, providing industry and technical advice, helping with organizational strategies, editing Business Plans, evaluating team presentations, and facilitating the networks necessary for initiative’s long-term success.