Introduction
Delta Scale is built on the belief that innovation is more than building companies; it is about shaping a future rooted in trust, integrity, and collective growth. We are not only an accelerator, but a living ecosystem where founders, mentors, investors, partners, and alumni come together to learn, create, and inspire.
Our Manifesto and Code of Ethics serve as a compass for this journey, reminding us that true impact is born when ambition is guided by values. In the sections that follow, you will find the principles that define how each role within the Delta Scale community—founders, mentors, investors, strategic partners, and alumni—contributes to building an ecosystem of purpose-driven innovation.
Mentors
Mentors are the pillars of trust and experience in the journey of startup growth. Their role goes beyond sharing knowledge — they inspire, ask the right questions, and create a space for mutual learning. A great mentor illuminates the path rather than taking decisions on behalf of founders.
Principles:
- Provide support selflessly, sharing experience and networks even without direct financial benefit.
- Safeguard the confidentiality of startup information and ideas.
- Deliver honest and direct feedback, even when it may be difficult to hear.
- Listen deeply before offering guidance.
- Focus on inquiry and guidance rather than directives.
- Honor commitments to meetings, introductions, and follow-ups.
- Disclose and manage any conflicts of interest transparently.
- Approach mentorship with humility, recognizing it as a two-way relationship.
- Maintain balance between encouragement and constructive challenge.
- Act with authenticity, ensuring alignment between words and actions.
Investors
Investors are not merely providers of financial resources but strategic partners in building long-term value. Their presence must be transparent, ethical, and empowering; real investment means engaging in the future of startups, not extracting short-term gains.
Principles:
- Ensure full transparency in financial, legal, and governance terms.
- Treat founders as equal partners, not instruments.
- Create value beyond capital by contributing networks, knowledge, and expertise.
- Practice fairness and equity in contracts and ownership structures.
- Provide emotional support alongside financial backing.
- Avoid undue pressure or imposing unnecessary conditions.
- Offer constructive feedback even when declining to invest.
- Manage conflicts of interest responsibly with proactive disclosure.
- Adopt a long-term vision with patience for sustainable growth.
- Prioritize trust-building and human relationships.
Startups and Founders
Founders are the beating heart of the innovation ecosystem. Their courage, creativity, and resilience shape the future. Commitment to learning, transparency, collaboration, and accountability is the foundation of success in this challenging yet inspiring journey.
Principles:
- Demonstrate honesty in sharing data, progress, and challenges.
- Actively engage in learning and fully leverage accelerator opportunities.
- Show mutual respect toward teams, mentors, and investors.
- Use accelerator resources responsibly.
- Seek and act upon feedback constructively.
- Embrace healthy competition while fostering collaboration and synergy.
- Remain adaptable to pivots, viewing them as signs of entrepreneurial maturity.
- Honor commitments toward the accelerator, team, and customers.
- Recognize social responsibility beyond financial profit.
- Represent the accelerator brand as ambassadors of its values.
Partners
Strategic partners are the bridges between innovation and the market. True collaboration is built on transparency, respect for startup independence, and the creation of shared value for all stakeholders. These partners are not only supporters but also architects of future innovation.
Principles:
- Focus on creating shared value that benefits startups and the ecosystem.
- Maintain transparency in goals, resources, and expectations.
- Respect intellectual property rights of startups.
- Provide genuine access to markets, labs, data, or networks.
- Avoid exclusivity that limits startups’ freedom of choice.
- Act as champions of the broader innovation ecosystem.
- Manage and disclose potential conflicts of interest.
- Commit to sustainable and long-term partnerships.
- Uphold professional ethics and refrain from unfair pressure on startups.
- Serve as role models in behavior and culture for the ecosystem.
Alumni
Alumni are the guardians of culture and heritage within the accelerator. Their experience lights the path for future generations. By giving back through mentorship, support, and networking, alumni strengthen a lasting and inspiring community where learning and innovation never end.
Principles:
- Share knowledge and experience with new generations.
- Represent the accelerator as ambassadors in events and media.
- Reinforce collaboration and support instead of destructive competition.
- Provide honest and constructive feedback drawn from real experience.
- Engage actively in the alumni network.
- Carry forward the culture and ethical values of entrepreneurship.
- Contribute financial or non-financial support when possible.
- Maintain a long-term connection with the accelerator.
- Deliver constructive critique without damaging the community’s reputation.
- Inspire future generations by sharing stories of success and lessons learned.