Mentorship

Mentors-In-Residence

Expert guidance from idea to launch — grow, build, and succeed at every stage.

Our mentors provide valuable insights to help you explore new research areas, deepen your understanding of your target audience, and develop essential management skills. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your venture, our mentors are here to guide you every step of the way.

Our Mentorship Philosophy

At GW's Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (OIE), we believe that entrepreneurship is just one expression of innovation. Success as an innovator isn’t solely about building a company; it's about the impact you make and the solutions you create.

Our mentoring program is anchored in the Lean Startup process of customer discovery and our I-Corps-derived philosophy:

  • Innovator-Centric Approach: We focus on training the innovator, not just the innovation itself.
  • Judgment-Free Environment: We never assess the potential of an idea—that’s the responsibility of the innovator and their market.
  • Guidance Over Consulting: We provide guidance on how to develop ideas, rather than dictating what teams should do.

At GW's OIE, we don’t choose unicorns; we empower entrepreneurs to build them.

Milestone-Based Help


Our milestone-based tracking structure rewards continued perseverance by teams, allowing them to proceed at their own pace, and places value on a mentor's time.

Long-Term Support


Successful teams are developed over years, not weeks. We provide consistent mentorship support throughout the years-long process.

Industry Agnostic


Our curated mentors-in-residence are experts in specific industries. Allowing for flexibility and reliability for teams looking for industry expert advice.

Getting Started

Getting started with mentorship is simple: 

Review our experienced mentors, book an appointment, and connect for valuable insights to support your journey!

Qualifications:

  • Must be affiliated with the GW community
    • Student, Staff, Faculty, Alumni

*Interested in mentorship at GW's OIE, but not part of the GW community; contact innovateatgwu [dot] edu.

Review

Meet our mentors below. Review their profiles and area of expertise.

Book

Found a mentor you like, book an appointment on their profile.

Connect

Connect with the mentor and schedule follow ups.

Meet The Mentors-In-Residence

Our industry expert mentors provide a wealth of knowledge and experience to support you on your entrepreneurial journey. With diverse backgrounds, they offer valuable insights, practical advice, and networking opportunities to help you tackle challenges and reach your goals. Whether you need guidance on strategy, market trends, or best practices, our mentors are dedicated to fostering your growth and success.

Explore our selection of mentors below, and if you find one that meets your needs, schedule an appointment!

 

SUMMER HOURS - Mentor availability & office hours may be limited.

 

Bob Smith

Interim Associate Vice Provost for Research Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneur and Instructor

Gary Grenter

Principal Consultant at Alpha-Flow Management Consulting

MedTech / Product Development / Management

Irfan Ali

President and CEO, Recurrent Computing, Inc.

Commercialization / Marketing / Team Building

Karl Ginter

Serial entrepreneur & mentor to early stage companies.

Product Development / Startup Finance / Management

Lokesh Dani

Founder and CEO, Xopolis

Strategy / Research

Nazlin Bhimji

Director of Programs at Global Good Fund

Social Venture / International Business / Startup Finance