The Resource Guide is created by Grace Liu and Gabriella Velazquez
Updated on Janurary 8, 2022
The companies with the most diverse and comprehensive networks of mentors and advisors tend to flourish and make more impactful strategic decisions (Sykora, L. 2020). Beyond finding mentors through their own family and close ties, professors, and university-provided mentoring opportunities, student entrepreneurs can leverage other opportunities outside of their inner circle. This guide introduces such information and search strategies to help you expand mentor, advisor, or networking opportunities.
NASDAQ Mentor Makers program organized by the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center is a free mentor matching platform to ignite the exchange of knowledge and experience from business leaders in support of entrepreneurs of all backgrounds.
SCORE the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses plan, launch, manage and grow. SCORE mentors offer area-specific advice at no cost (financing, human resources, business planning) via email, telephone, and video. SCORE mentors, all experts in entrepreneurship and related fields meet with their small business clients on an ongoing basis to provide continued advice and support. SCORE provides a wide range of services including training, webinars, online workshops, courses on demand, and a library of online resources. Enter your zip code to find a SCORE mentor near you.
Small Business Development Centers deliver professional, high-quality, individualized business advising and technical assistance to existing small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs. SBDCs provide problem-solving assistance to help small businesses access capital, develop and exchange new technologies, and improve business planning, strategy, operations, financial management, personnel administration, marketing, export assistance, sales and other areas required for small business growth and expansion, management improvement, increased productivity and innovation. Enter your zip code to find your local Small Business Development Center.
Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) is designed to provide entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling, mentorship, and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, veterans, National Guard & Reserve members, and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business. SBA has 22 organizations participating in this cooperative agreement and serving as Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOC). Enter your zip code to find a VBOC in your area.
Women's Business Centers provide free, to low-cost counseling and training and focus on women who want to start, grow, and expand their small businesses. There are a number of resources for women-owned businesses including business training, counseling, federal contracts, and access to credit and capital. Enter your zip code to find a WBC in your area.
WBDC MicroMentor Program (Women’s Business Development Center)
WBDC has affiliated with the MicroMentor online mentor matching program. This service connects small business owners with business mentors throughout the U.S. and locally. The WBDC MicroMentor Affiliate page allows you to see mentors and mentees who are participating through the WBDC, create a profile, and request mentoring help.
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Centers helps minority-owned firms seeking to penetrate new markets — domestic & global — and growing in size and scale, can access business experts at an MBDA Business Center. Whether it’s securing capital, competing for a contract, identifying a strategic partner, or becoming export-ready, your success is our priority. The Centers are located in areas with the largest concentration of minority populations and the largest number of minority businesses.
Find a Professional or Trade Association in your industry with CareerOneStop Professional Association Finder. The association often charges membership dues, but you can access many educational and networking resources and opportunities for specific industries. The association may offer mentorship programs or provide access to the directories of members and may introduce you to experts in the industry. Examples include:
Brewers Association Mentorship Program seeks to increase the diversity of the workforce, leadership, and ownership of small and independent breweries.
Association of Gift Boutique Retailers of America Industry Mentoring connects students who are in the junior year of their study with an industry mentor.
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® Mentor Program pairs members with a mentor who can give the advice to help guide your company or improve your business acumen.
Specialty Food Association mentorship program. The mentors/mentees discuss such topics as strategy, pricing, branding, financing, sustainability, trade show maximization, marketing, and more. The Association does matchmaking to avoid product conflicts.
Find a Nonprofit Organization or Foundations with GuideStar.Org. Within its committed areas may provide the resources including grants, scholarships, mentorships or may be willing to help you make such connections. Examples include:
The Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation Virtual Mini-Mentorship program offers students the opportunity to meet one-on-one with an industry leader from a variety of real estate disciplines.
The Linux Foundation Mentorship Program makes it easy to sponsor and help train the next generation of open source developers by serving key needs of the community.
The HITEC Foundation mentorship program looks to connect Hispanic technology students with executives already in the industry who can mentor them through their collegiate years.
Find an incubator or accelerator that will help throughout the venture creation process. It will connect you to various resources including mentors and advisors, training programs. Examples include:
Other opportunities include:
Find an Alumni through your University’s Alumni Association’s Directory
Find an Alumni working for a leading company in your interested industry areas via Linkedin.
Find and connect with Experts from LinkedIn
Find and connect with Indirect Competitors
Connect with Top Professors and Researchers in your interested areas
Connect with Top Business leaders, thinkers, and influencers in your interested areas
Try out Mentor platforms such as MicroMentor
Developed by the Kauffman Foundation, 1 Million Cups is a free national event designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs. On Wednesday mornings - learn, engage and connect with entrepreneurs in your community over a cup (or two) of coffee.
The Lean Startup Circle Wiki / Meetups
Find local lean startup meetups.
Designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs to connect you with CoFounders, advisors, mentors, investors, and innovators.
Startups - Creative Business Network
Creative Business Network is a place for startups to connect and grow. We offer the perfect opportunity to meet the right people at the right time. This not only expands the business ideas but also the creative ones.
Jackie mentors student startups via The Commons, female professionals via Building Brave, is an advisor with Golden Angels Investors, and coaches numerous early-stage startups. In addition to her professional involvement, Jackie is an adoptive foster parent and future pilot.
Best LinkedIn Groups for Entrepreneurs - businessnewsdaily.com
Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship (Carnegie Mellon University)
Upcoming Classes (The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center)
Courses | Kauffman FastTrac (Kauffman Foundation)