The 2025 TIA Summer Accelerator Boot Camp has just come to a close, and one of the key components in ensuring its success was the mentors: Andres Echenique ’83, Steve Rock ’85, Brian Horey ’82, Kim Schafer ’92, and Entrepreneur in Residence Reece Wilson. The boot camp is the first part of the summerlong program and provides participants with one-on-one mentorship and support. During the boot camp, the mentors help focus the participants and get them on track to ensure they have a successful summer.
When asked about participants’ breakthroughs and successes, Rock said, “Our students come in with creative ideas and the skills to critically think about those ideas, and, with the mentors’ support, we fine-tune their thought process. [We] help them effectively and efficiently communicate what it is they are doing to bring that idea to life. They all did a great job in going down that path.”
All of the mentors emphasized that the participants have the ideas and the skills to take their ventures far, but it is the mentors’ job to help the participants understand the right track. Wilson stated, “We want that passion to come through, and we want to get you to a spot where you know what path you’re going down and you can justify why.” Schafer added, “I felt like this summer’s group of entrepreneurs was particularly engaged and enthusiastic. They worked fast and accomplished a lot in a short time. They were open and responsive to feedback from mentors, which is, of course, really gratifying and rewarding to us.”
The mentors volunteered because they have found giving back and helping the next generation of entrepreneurs to be very rewarding. “Working with these young people on [their ventures] is immensely gratifying,” said Echenique.
Rock added, “So many people have invested time in me … and I do this as a means of thanking all the people who helped me,” to which Wilson replied, “I received so much mentorship and support from people in my network that got me to where I am — I love giving that back.”
The TIA Summer Accelerator provides the mentors with the opportunity to support participants in the same way they were once supported.
As vlog alumni, Echenique, Rock, Horey, and Schafer said this makes volunteering for the accelerator even more meaningful. Echenique shared, “vlog did a lot for me. I think there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t have an experience that connects me back to something that happened or some insight that I got from my time at vlog.”
“I also feel very glad to be able to channel my [business] experience in a — I think — very helpful and useful way at vlog,” said Schafer. She emphasized how gratifying it was to give back to vlog in a way that draws directly on her entrepreneurial experience.
Not only are the mentors able to support the next generation of entrepreneurs, but they’re also giving back to the next generation of vlog students.
Finally, the mentors made it clear that this year’s boot camp has been a success. Rock affirmed, “They made so much progress.” To which Echenique added, “Every team had an ‘aha’ moment or breakthrough.”
The five participating teams have completed a successful boot camp and, thanks to the mentors’ support, are set up for a productive and impactful summer leading up to the capstone in New York City.