From the First Cohort: Reflections on BEAM

Insights and takeaways from the mentor-mentee pairs
in BEAM’s inaugural cohort (Fall 2024)

BEAM brought Brown alumni together across generations for honest conversations and real decision-making. Good things happen when founders have space to talk things through with someone who brings experience that complements their own. These mentor–mentee pairs tackled challenges, tested ideas, and found new ways forward together.

Interested in joining the next round?
Stay connected for updates and announcements about future cohorts.

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A key part of my entrepreneurial journey has been the people who’ve helped me along the way. Sometimes, it’s a simple conversation that points you in the right direction. But it’s the core group of mentors you rely on to tackle the biggest, most impactful questions. That’s why I’m passionate about being there for other entrepreneurs and that’s what BEAM offers.

Through BEAM, I’ve shared that energy with fellow Brown alumni like my mentee, Brendan. What began as a simple “should I?” or “shouldn’t I?” evolved into deeper conversations about partnerships, clients, business models, and product strategy.

I’m humbled by the opportunity to help others evaluate paths and support their journeys.

—Co-President of BAEG, Chair of Support Committee, and Director of Mentorship, and MENTOR:
Raghav Sharma ’97, Managing Director,
Council Advisors

Scroll down to hear more from mentors and mentees in Cohort 1.

  • BEAM has been an incredible platform to connect with Brown’s next generation of startup founders. It’s been inspiring to see their drive, creativity, and ambition firsthand. Mentoring through BEAM has been a two-way street—I’ve learned just as much from these founders as I’ve shared, and it’s been rewarding to give back to the university ecosystem that shaped me. Investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs has been an exciting and humbling experience. Brown founders bring a unique mix of curiosity and resilience, and it’s an honor to help guide them on their journey.

    — MENTOR: Shane Sabine ’07, Managing Partner, Punch Capital

  • Being part of the BEAM program has been a rewarding experience. The program creates a space where Brown entrepreneurs—whether seasoned professionals or emerging founders—can connect, share insights, and grow together. As an early-stage founder, BEAM paired me with a mentor who helped fill a critical gap in my knowledge, allowing me to build processes more efficiently and make informed decisions faster. That guidance was invaluable in shaping my approach and accelerating my business' progress. Beyond mentorship, BEAM has given me access to a thriving network of entrepreneurs and professionals who continue to inspire and support one another. To alums: If you’re considering joining, I highly encourage it. BEAM is more than just a mentorship program—it’s a community that empowers founders and fosters meaningful growth.

    — MENTEE: Ibeabuchi Jeremiah Oteh ’13, Founder, Cultural.IP

  • Trying to transform Tow Zone Alerts from the community service it started off as into a tech-focused startup, it has been incredibly helpful to consistently speak with someone who has substantially more business and tech acumen. My co-founder and I had gotten acclimated to running it like a local service and needed some “shock therapy”—in the form of fundamental conversations about our goals and strategy—to change our tune and our day-to-day efforts. As a result, we've seen significantly more users sign up since we started meeting with our mentor, Matt, and have refocused our one-on-one engagements with strategic partners. The support and realism that our mentor and the BEAM group provided was meaningful at the time and is already proving formative.

    — MENTEE: Eli SIlvert ’20, Co-Founder, Tow Zone Alerts

  • BEAM and my mentor, Raghav, have given me invaluable connections in the B2B space, helping us begin to bring our company to the next level with top-tier companies like Citibank, BNY Mellon, and Experian. More than that, the mentors helped me consider factors that are crucial to our growth—insights that were both unique and helpful. Overall, participating in BEAM has helped us explore monetization paths and accelerate our growth.

    — MENTEE: Brendan Sweeney ’20, Co-Founder & COO, StockLift

  • Throughout the BEAM program, Michael proved to be an invaluable resource to us as a mentor, drawing on his long history as a successful entrepreneur in the adjacent field of fashion. He helped us make connections with other entrepreneurs in the food and beverage CPG space, advised us on the complicated world of professional services like legal and accounting, and served as a seasoned sounding board as we considered go-to-market strategies. For newer entrepreneurs unsure of the best “order of operations” to set up a company and develop a product, mentors like Michael are tremendous assets and sources of seasoned advice.

    — MENTEE: Liam Trotzuk, ’16, CEO & Co-Founder, Goldholly