Translate
Imagine a mentoring system designed to foster innovative, entrepreneurial minds that possess the creativity and drive to construct solutions that will enhance the quality of life for all of us. Further imagine that these entrepreneurs are supported by a tested process of training, and access to the networks and resources they need to bring their solutions to market. The Venture Mentoring Team offers these opportunities in an expansive atmosphere of collaboration that brings together research, education, and the best business minds to help promising entrepreneurs succeed in their quest to build a better world.
Our Venture Mentoring Team Values
Altruism, Empathy and Respect for Others
Our mentors share the principal desire to give back. With that desire as our driving force, we respect and appreciate diverse perspectives and points of view. We each value and continue to practice “walking in another’s shoes.”
Lifelong Learning
The companies we mentor are solving complex problems and providing services in a wide variety of industries and technologies. Our mentors are encouraged to leave their comfort zones and pursue mentoring assignments outside their fields of expertise. The VMT experience is designed to add depth to the strategic and leadership expertise of both our mentors and our mentees. Just as our mentees do, our mentors conduct research and continue to grow, learning and problem solving in new and exciting ways.
Experience
We seek to engage mentors who possess a deep understanding of their fields of expertise and who have the flexibility and creativity to apply their knowledge to the new and emerging opportunities that our founders have chosen to pursue.
Leadership and Collaboration Skills
Our mentors are skilled leaders who possess the ability to collaborate expansively with a focus on equality in collaboration. Collaboration is a key attribute, essential in team mentoring.
Results Oriented
We focus our founders on creating and pursuing achievable goals that will lead to success. Founders benefit from our tested, systemic approach to building a flourishing and profitable enterprise.
Sociabilty
At its core, the VMT is a social organization that builds deep respect and lifelong friendships with fellow mentors and with the founders whom we guide.
The VMT Certification Process
1
VMT Certification assures that our mentors achieve the tested standards we have set through our collective experience in the entrepreneurial world, and that we provide our founders with the best possible mentoring experience in a safe, collaborative environment.
2
Potential VMT mentors pursue an evaluation process beginning with a background review by the VMT Membership Committee comprised of our most experienced mentors.
3
Applicants with extensive relevant professional experience then participate in six interviews with VMT committee members.
4
Characteristics including intelligence, professional background, team experience and orientation, a deep desire for lifelong learning, and a purely altruistic motivation to mentor are assessed.
5
Applicants who pass the committee review undergo an official background check to determine their suitability to mentor.
Our Code of Conduct
Once approved by the membership committee, applicants are asked to sign The VMT Code of Conduct to assure a safe environment for our founders.
Our mentors agree to the following:
- Hold all discussions with founders in confidence
- Make no investment in, nor sell any product or service to the companies we mentor
Click on the video link below to learn more about the VMT Code of Conduct with Hartmut Junghahn, a Member of the VMT Membership Committee and Founder of HJ Boutique Consulting LLC.
VMT Mentor Training & Certification
Why Mentor Training Matters
Mentoring startups is fundamentally different from advising established corporations. While many mentors bring valuable industry experience, startups face unique challenges that require a different mindset and approach. VMT’s training program bridges that gap—equipping you with the tools and insights needed to offer practical, impactful advice tailored to early-stage ventures and small businesses.
Through this training, you’ll develop:
- A deep understanding of entrepreneurial dynamics
- Effective mentoring skills specific to startup and small business environments
- The ability to support founders with confidence, empathy, and relevance
More Than Training—A Mentoring Community
Mentor training at VMT is also a powerful way to build connections. Through collaborative workshops and team mentoring experiences, you’ll join a supportive network of peers who share your commitment to guiding entrepreneurs. The program fosters camaraderie, shared purpose, and continuous learning.
Mentor Training Requirements
All new mentors are expected to complete VMT Training within three (3) months of joining VMT:
- 20 Hours of Foundational Video-Based Training:
Our coursework features the structured VMT Mentoring process, including:
-
- Team mentoring techniques
- Soft skills training including the Socratic Method of Questioning and mindful listening
- Building an impactful pitch deck
- Understanding seed, angel and venture capital financing as well as small business financing
- The sales process
- Marketing
- Investment Vehicles
- Corporate structure
- Intellectual property
- Mentoring non-profits
- Resolving partner conflict
- Three Mandatory Workshops:
Each interactive session is two (2) hours long with mentors fully engage with the material, participate in discussions, and begin applying lessons in real mentoring settings.
- Welcome to The VMT
- The Pitch Deck
- Mentoring small business owner
20 Hours of Team Mentoring
These mentoring sessions allow mentors to apply training in a live environment, collaborate with fellow mentors, and support founders in a team-based format.
Earn Your VMT Mentor Certification
Upon successful completion of both the VMT Mentor Training and 20 hours of Team Mentoring, mentor candidates earn their VMT Certified Mentor designation. This certification affirms your readiness to mentor with impact and integrity—and distinguishes you as part of our committed, highly trained VMT Mentor Community.
Commitment and Provisional Status
Your role as a mentor is critical in supporting the founders of startups and small businesses. The VMT’s mentor training program will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to be effective in this capacity.
All new mentors begin with provisional status. To continue mentoring with VMT, the full training program must be completed within 3 months:- Complete the Training Program: Within three (3) months of admission to the VMT. This includes the full 20 hours of video-based training, which covers the fundamental knowledge essential for effective mentoring.
- Attend All Required Workshops: Within the same three (3) month period, and actively participating in the following three workshops, each lasting two hours.
Welcome to The VMT !
Team Mentoring
Upon acceptance into the VMT program, new mentors are encouraged to participate in team mentoring, participating as observers of the process as well as active participants. Through this early engagement in the team process, new mentors gain knowledge and confidence as they build their mentoring skills. Team Mentoring is also an important avenue for meeting fellow VMT mentors and creating the close friendships that are integral to the VMT process.
Please click on the video link below to learn more about the team mentoring process with Jennifer Hudson, a VMT Cerified Mentor and President, ThinkBeyond Public Relations.
VMT Mentor Certification
Upon successful completion of the interview process, background checks, signed agreement with our code of conduct, VMT mentor training and 20 hours of team mentoring, mentor candidates are certified as VMT Certified Mentors.
Sharing the VMT Process
The VMT Mentor Recruitment, Training and Certification Program is available to other organizations including academic institutions, business development entities as well as for-profit and not-for-profit accelerators and incubators.
