SMARTstart Canmore Mentor Application

SMARTstart Canmore Mentor Application

Apply to be a Mentor in the SMARTstart program by providing responses to the questions below. Fields marked with an * are required.
At SMARTstart, we believe entrepreneurship should be accessible to everyone. Delivered by the Town of Canmore and the Bow Valley Pride Network, SMARTstart is open to entrepreneurs from different backgrounds, sectors, and stages of business. The program is rooted in the belief that stronger business communities are built when more people have access to support, connection, and opportunity.

The Town of Canmore and the Bow Valley Pride Network are committed to creating a program that welcomes diverse perspectives and helps strengthen inclusion within the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Thank you for your desire to serve as a Mentor. Your experience and expertise will be a huge help to your assigned Mentee. If you have any questions or need assistance completing the following application, please contact your program coordinator, James Thomas at james.thomas@canmore.ca or call (403) 678-1536.
Privacy Statement

The SMARTstart program is committed to protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information. We adhere to the provisions of the Alberta Personal Information Protection Act.

We collect personal information about you in order to assess your application form and suitability for the SMARTstart program. Personal information is any information that identifies you as an individual. It does not include business contact information used for business purposes.

The SMARTstart program:
- Will not collect, use or disclose your personal information for any purposes other than those identified to you, subject to exceptions permitted by law;
- Will make all reasonable efforts to protect the confidentiality of your personal information when doing business internally or externally with other organizations;
- Will make all reasonable efforts to protect your personal information with appropriate security safeguards;
- Will make all reasonable efforts to keep your personal information accurate and up-to-date; and
- Will attempt to honor requests you make for access to your personal information or the corrections of your personal information, subject to exceptions permitted by law. We take our responsibility to respect and protect your personal information seriously.
Applicant Information

Tell us about you
First Name*
Last Name*
Pronouns
Email Address*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Are you eighteen years of age or older?*
City/Town of Residence*
Upload Your Photo

Cancelof
How long have you owned or operated a business?*
What do you wish you would have known when you started?*
Please describe any past or present businesses you have owned or related experience*
Industry Experience (Check all that apply)

HealthcareEnergyHardware (computer/electronics)ConsultingFinance/InvestingOil & GasGovernmentManufacturingMedia/JournalismEducationRetail/Consumer GoodsOther
What strengths do you bring as an experienced business owner?*
What business skills do you have a high level of comfort discussing with new entrepreneurs?

Marketing & BrandingSales & Customer AcquisitionFinancial projectionsNetworkingOperationsHiring, managing or leading a teamCustomer servicePricing products or servicesAI, tech and digital tools for businessBusiness Planning & StrategyProduct - Market FitCustomer AcquisitionCompetitive AnalysisMarketing ResearchBusiness Model ValidationOther
Share a little about you. Your background, passions, etc.*
Business Overview

Tell us more about your current/recent business
Business name*
Job Title
Business Website
How long have you been operating?
Number of Employees
Are you currently?*
Is your business located or primarily operating in the Bow Valley? (Check all that apply)

BanffCanmoreDead Mans FlatsEkshawHarvie HeightsLac des ArcsLake LouiseMini ThiniNo, I do not reside in or operate my business within the Bow ValleyBusiness operates online, but I reside in the Bow Valley
Tell us about your experience doing business in the Bow Valley or your understanding of the local business environment*
150-250 words
Is your business a franchise or part of a chain?*

YesNoNot applicable
Program Fit & Commitment
As a Mentor in the SMARTstart program you will be asked to provide roughly 30 hours of support over 8 months. Are you able to commit that amount of time to the program?*
How did you hear about SMARTstart? (Check all that apply)

NewspaperPast SMARTstart ParticipantPast SMARTstart MentorSignFacebookRadioTown/City Economic Development Newsletter/CommunicationsDirect outreach from Town of CanmoreChamber of CommerceCommunity FuturesInformation SessionOther
Why are you interested in Mentoring in the SMARTstart Program?*
100 words or less
What are you looking for in a mentee?*
100 words or less
Have you previously participated in the SMARTstart progam?*
Optional Demographic Questions
Do you identify with any of the following communities? (Select all that apply)

2SLGBTQIA+IndigenousNewcomer to CanadaYouth entrepreneurWoman entrepreneurPrefer not to say
Are you comfortable being publicly acknowledged as such?*
Program Commitment

As a mentor you will be asked to By submitting this application you are indicating you understand the commitment required to participate in the SMARTstart program and are able to fulfil the program Mentor expectations.
Signature*
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SMARTstart Canmore Mentor Application

Applicant Information

Business Overview

Program Fit & Commitment

Optional Demographic Questions

Program Commitment