Coach FAQ

Who qualifies as a Coach on IgniteAI?

Coaches are experienced operators, founders, or domain specialists who've built, scaled, or advised startups and products. You don't need to have exited a unicorn — but you should have hard-won, practical experience to share.

How much time does coaching require?

The standard expectation is 2–4 hours per month per founder you're supporting. You control your capacity and can limit how many founders you take on at once.

Am I paid for coaching?

IgniteAI operates on a volunteer and reputation model. Coaches build credibility, grow their network, and gain visibility to investors and the broader NZ startup ecosystem. Paid advisory arrangements between coaches and founders are between those parties directly. And if you lead a squad, you will be paid by 1% equity for each of your coached startups. But this totally based on donations, founders may change their mind at the end of the cohort or just dropping.

How do I get matched with founders?

After your profile is approved, founders can request you based on your expertise. You can also proactively connect with founders whose work excites you. And then the admin will setup squads with you and matched founders.

What if a coaching relationship isn't working?

Either party can end the match at any time without explanation. The platform makes it easy to transition gracefully with no awkwardness. But normally lead coach will not drop the squad.

Can I coach multiple founders simultaneously?

Yes. You set your own capacity. We recommend starting with 1–2 founders to find your rhythm before expanding. And it shall not beyond 6, which you probably can’t guarantee your time and quality of your coaching.

How is my impact tracked?

Your profile shows engagement metrics, founder outcomes, and testimonials. Coaches who drive measurable progress get featured in community spotlights.