Written By Jason Leo Carvalho

Section 21: Mentorship & Advisory Networks

Overview

No founder should fly alone. In spacetech—where the learning curve is steep and the stakes are existential—trusted advisors, domain experts, and veteran founders are invaluable. This section helps you build and activate an advisory network that accelerates learning, opens doors, and keeps you grounded. For example, Chris Kemp, founder of Astra, credits early advisors from NASA and the defense sector with helping the company secure critical contracts and navigate early technical hurdles. In spacetech—where the learning curve is steep and the stakes are existential—trusted advisors, domain experts, and veteran founders are invaluable. This section helps you build and activate an advisory network that accelerates learning, opens doors, and keeps you grounded.

Part 1: Advisor Role Clarity

Framework: The 4 Types of Advisors

  1. Strategic Advisors – Help navigate capital strategy, company positioning, and board dynamics. Example: "Should we raise a SAFE or a priced round?"

  2. Technical Advisors – Guide development, testing, and architecture decisions. Example: "How should we approach redundancy for our onboard systems?"

  3. Domain Advisors – Provide deep expertise in specific markets (e.g., defense, EO, comms). Example: "How do we price a data subscription model for commercial EO clients?"

  4. Founder Advisors – Offer emotional support and tactical advice based on lived experience. Example: "How did you deal with founder burnout during your first major pivot?"

  5. Strategic Advisors – Help navigate capital, vision, boardrooms

  6. Technical Advisors – Guide development, testing, architecture

  7. Domain Advisors – Deep expertise in specific markets (defense, EO, comms)

  8. Founder Advisors – Emotional and tactical support from peers

Tool: Advisor Role Canvas | Advisor | Type | Focus Area | Value to Company | Meeting Cadence |

Part 2: Sourcing the Right Advisors

Channels:

  • Accelerators & fellowships (CDL, Techstars, OnDeck, Seraphim)

  • Industry events (Space Symposium, SmallSat, ASCEND, IAC)

  • Warm intros from investors, alumni, professors, and technical partners

  • Cold outreach with clear value exchange, tailored subject lines, and mutual alignment

What Makes a Strong Match:

  • Strategic Advisors: Ask for intros from your lead investor or board chair

  • Technical Advisors: Often sourced from retired NASA, military labs, or your alma mater’s research network

  • Domain Advisors: Identify recently exited founders or public sector operators who’ve navigated your customer profile

  • Founder Mentors: Connect via vertical groups (e.g., CDL alumni Slack, FounderForum, Twitter DMs)

Channels:

  • Accelerators & fellowships (CDL, Techstars, OnDeck, etc.)

  • Industry events (Space Symposium, SmallSat, ASCEND)

  • Warm intros from investors, alumni, professors

  • Cold outreach with clear value exchange

Part 3: Structuring Advisory Relationships

Guidelines:

  • Start informal (monthly calls, 3-month trial)

  • Use Advisor Agreements to clarify IP, expectations, and equity (0.1%–0.5% typical)

  • Track outcomes and reassess value regularly

Case Example: A Canadian spacetech startup invited a retired CTO from a U.S. defense prime to advise informally on systems integration. The initial engagement was undocumented, and six months later, the advisor expected formal equity despite minimal involvement. After bringing in counsel, the startup transitioned to a clear agreement—0.25% vesting over 2 years—paired with quarterly deliverables and NDA/IP terms. The structure not only preserved the relationship but led to a successful joint proposal for a government contract.

Templates:

Part 4: Building a Founder Support Circle

Why It Matters: Founding is lonely. Other founders get it. Sharing the journey with those who understand the emotional, operational, and existential challenges of building in spacetech creates resilience, pattern recognition, and emotional safety.

Formats:

  • Biweekly peer circles (small curated groups of 4–6 founders)

  • Quarterly founder retreats or strategy offsites

  • Stage-based Slack/Discord communities (e.g. pre-seed vs. growth)

  • Weekly “Founder Hour” check-ins on Zoom with a rotating agenda

Prompt: Who do you already trust and admire? Invite 3 of them to join a recurring founder circle.

Tips for Success:

  • Keep groups small and consistent

  • Use rotating facilitators and time-boxed topics (e.g., 20 mins wins, 20 mins asks, 20 mins deep dive)

  • Normalize honesty, not posturing

  • Consider an optional NDA or Chatham House Rule agreement

Tool: Founder Circle Builder Template

  • Invite tracker (who, when, next steps)

  • Shared agenda template (timed segments, facilitation roles)

  • Peer accountability worksheet (OKRs, support asks, follow-ups)

Why It Matters: Founding is lonely. Other founders get it.

Formats:

  • Biweekly peer circles (small curated groups)

  • Quarterly retreats or founder forums

  • Slack/Discord groups by vertical or stage

Prompt: Who do you already trust and admire? Invite 3 of them to a virtual founder hour.

Tool: Founder Circle Builder Template

  • Invite tracker

  • Shared agenda template

  • Peer accountability worksheet

Part 5: Board Construction & Strategic Mentorship

Stages:

  • Pre-Seed: Informal advisors only

  • Seed–Series A: Build formal board + observers

  • Series A+: Strategic, diverse, active board members

Common Gaps in Early Spacetech Boards:

  • Lack of defense or dual-use sector knowledge

  • No export control or regulatory expertise

  • Underrepresentation of talent with spaceflight or launch industry experience

  • Absence of customer voice (government, commercial)

Tool: Board Composition Planner | Role | Skillset | Sector Experience | Current Fit | Target Candidate |

Tip: You’ll get the board you deserve—build it like a team.

Stages:

  • Pre-Seed: Informal advisors only

  • Seed–Series A: Build formal board + observers

  • Series A+: Strategic, diverse, active board members

Tool: Board Composition Planner | Role | Skillset | Sector Experience | Current Fit | Target Candidate |

Tip: You’ll get the board you deserve—build it like a team.

Part 6: Giving Back as a Founder

Why It Matters: Being a mentor also makes you a better founder. The act of teaching forces reflection, and supporting others creates valuable long-term relationships across the space ecosystem.

Opportunities:

  • Join judging panels (e.g. SpaceChallenge, CDL, NASA iTech)

  • Apply to mentorship programs like CDL’s Mentor Network or ASTRA’s Founder Circle

  • Volunteer with student space initiatives or university incubators (e.g., SEDS, MIT AeroAstro)

  • Publish lessons via podcast, blog, or Twitter threads

Reflection: Who helped you? How can you pass it on?

Tip: Start small. One honest coffee chat with a pre-seed founder can be more valuable than a keynote.

Why It Matters: Being a mentor also makes you a better founder.

Opportunities:

  • Join judging panels (e.g. SpaceChallenge, CDL)

  • Mentor early founders in incubators

  • Publish lessons via podcast, blog, or threads

Reflection: Who helped you? How can you pass it on?

Jason Leo Carvalho
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