Mentors work directly with entrepreneurs participating in CapeTide’s 12-Week Intensive (fall), offering guidance, encouragement, and practical insight based on their own experience. Each venture team is paired with a team of three mentors.

What you’ll do:

• Meet with your venture and co-mentors once per week for 60 minutes during the 12-week Intensive. The first meeting is in person; follow-up meetings are virtual.
• Attend in-person milestone presentations and required onboarding and orientation sessions.
• Offer perspective, accountability, and encouragement.

Time commitment: 6–8 hours per month during the program (mid-September through mid-December)

How volunteering works:
By signing up, you're expressing interest in serving as a mentor. Before each fall program, we'll reach out with the full schedule, expectations, and commitment details. You can decide each year whether you're able to participate.

Great for people who:

• Have business, nonprofit, or professional experience
• Enjoy coaching and problem-solving as a team
• Want to make a direct impact on a local venture

Table Coaches support entrepreneurs during CapeTide's 3-Week Accelerator (spring) by facilitating small-group discussions, asking thoughtful questions, and helping participants apply what they are learning to their own ventures. They work alongside instructors to create an engaging, collaborative, in-person learning environment.

What you'll do:

• Sit with a small group of entrepreneurs during class activities and discussions
• Ask questions, encourage participation, and help entrepreneurs think through challenges
• Share practical insights and perspectives from your own experience
• Support instructors by helping keep activities on track and ensuring participants stay engaged

Commitment: Event-based, approximately 3 hours per class
Timing: March and/or May, evening

How volunteering works:
By signing up, you'll be added to our Table Coach list. Before each Accelerator program, we'll send an invitation with the class dates and details, and you can choose whether you're available to participate that round. There's no obligation to volunteer each time, you're simply opting in to receive future invitations.

Great for people who:

• Enjoy coaching and encouraging others
• Have business or professional experience they would like to share
• Like interactive conversations more than formal presentations
• Want to make a meaningful impact with a flexible, occasional volunteer commitment

Guest Experts share knowledge in areas such as finance, marketing, legal topics, operations, or industry-specific skills.

What you’ll do:

• Lead a class or discussion using an existing CapeTide slide deck and curriculum. For some topics, this may involve participating on a panel facilitated by a staff member.
• Share practical tools and real-world insight.
• Support entrepreneurs' learning experience.

Commitment: One-time or occasional, approximately 3-hour sessions
Timing: Spring and fall opportunities

How volunteering works:
By signing up, you'll join our Guest Expert network. We'll follow up to learn more about your background and areas of expertise, then reach out when we have a class or topic that may be a good fit. CapeTide provides the curriculum, slide decks, and worksheets; you bring your experience and perspective to enrich the discussion.

Great for people who:

• Enjoy teaching and presenting
• Have subject-matter expertise
• Want a focused way to contribute

Application Readers help review program applications and ensure each applicant receives thoughtful, fair consideration.

What you’ll do:

• Read and score applications using clear guidelines
• Help identify entrepreneurs who are a good fit for CapeTide programs
• Support an equitable and transparent selection process

Commitment: 3-hour blocks
Timing: August, February, and April

How volunteering works:
By signing up, you'll be added to our Application Reader list. Before each selection round, we'll invite everyone on the list to volunteer. If you're available, wonderful. If not, there's no obligation.

Great for people who:

• Enjoy evaluating ideas and stories
• Want a behind-the-scenes role

Interview Panelists participate in interview teams to meet applicants and learn more about their ventures and goals.

What you’ll do:

• Participate in virtual or in-person interviews
• Ask prepared questions and provide feedback
• Help assess readiness and fit for CapeTide programs

Commitment: 3-hour block(s) as you're available
Timing: August, February, and April

How volunteering works:
By signing up, you'll be added to our Interview Panelist list. Before each interview round, we'll invite you to select one or more three-hour interview blocks that fit your schedule. There's no expectation that you'll participate every round, you're simply opting in to receive invitations.

Great for people who:

• Like conversation and listening
• Enjoy learning about new businesses
• Want to help shape each cohort
• Can dedicate a few hours during interview periods

Judges support CapeTide’s capstone presentations by evaluating entrepreneur pitches and providing constructive feedback.

What you’ll do:

• Sit on a panel of judges, listen actively, and ask entrepreneurs questions about their businesses in real time
• Review presentations and provide constructive feedback
• Help select award recipients

Commitment: Event-based (one evening, approximately 3.5 hours including a brief orientation)
Timing: December

How volunteering works:
By signing up, you'll be added to our Pitch Judge list. Before each year's Final Presentations, we'll send an invitation with event details and ask whether you're available to serve. There's no obligation to participate every year.

Great for people who:

• Are good listeners who enjoy learning from entrepreneurs' stories
• Feel comfortable using basic online tools to review and score presentations
• Like offering constructive, encouraging feedback in real time

Community Ambassadors help connect CapeTide to the wider Cape Cod community.

They are friendly, well-connected advocates who share information about CapeTide, attend local events, and help entrepreneurs and supporters discover our programs and opportunities. Additionally, they attend CapeTide alumni venture milestones like ribbon cuttings and grand openings.

What you’ll do:

• Represent CapeTide at community events, networking gatherings, and partner organizations
• Attend CapeTide alumni venture milestones like ribbon cuttings and grand openings
• Make introductions between CapeTide and potential entrepreneurs, volunteers, and partners
• Help grow awareness of CapeTide across towns and industries on Cape Cod

Commitment: Flexible (1–3 hours per month or event-based)
Timing: Year-round as opportunities arise

How volunteering works:
By signing up, you'll join our Community Ambassador list. We'll periodically share opportunities to represent CapeTide at local events, help at CapeTide events (such as registration or welcome tables), or attend entrepreneur milestones like ribbon cuttings and grand openings. You can choose the opportunities that fit your schedule.

Great for people who:

• Love connecting people and building community
• Are plugged into local networks
• Want to support small businesses without a heavy weekly commitment
• Enjoy in-person events