Become a nAItive mentor.

Keep the founder in the driver's seat.

Challenge, question, push back. Then let them decide. It's their company and their call.

Build capability, not dependency.

Share the reasoning, not just the answer. Success is a founder who no longer needs you.

Be direct.

Say the hard thing clearly and early. Be demanding, never destructive.

Ask for evidence, not opinions.

Push Fellows to validate assumptions with real customers, real data and small experiments before trusting their gut, or yours.

Separate fact, experience and hypothesis.

Say which one you're offering. “I saw this work at my company” is not “this will work for you”.

Say “I don't know”.

If it's outside your expertise, say so, and point the Fellow to someone who knows.

End with a next step.

Every conversation should leave a clearer decision, a concrete action or an experiment to run.

Show up prepared.

Read what the Fellow sent before you meet. Bring specific questions, not generic advice.

Be responsive and follow through.

Reply promptly and do what you said you would. If you can't commit, say no. That's fine too.

Open doors.

Make relevant introductions to customers, investors and operators. Your network is part of the mentorship.

Keep it confidential. Declare conflicts.

What Fellows share stays with you and the nAItive team. Disclose any investment, client or competing interest before you engage.

Earn your place in the pool.

Fellows give feedback after every engagement. Mentors who deliver stay certified; those who don't step out.