Become a Mentor
Virgin StartUp is an independent not-for-profit, supporting founders to build better businesses. We know there’s a lot that goes into starting a business, so we’re here to help founders and future founders on all fronts: advice, access to funding, mentoring, training and sometimes just a friendly shoulder to lean on.
We’re constantly on the lookout for experienced UK-based founders and professionals to help mentor the next generation of founders in the UK, and help them navigate their way to building sustainable businesses.
THE VIRGIN STARTUP COMMUNITY
When founders access a Start Up Loan through Virgin StartUp, they join our growing community of like-minded entreprenuers on the same journey.
Our founders are usually at an early stage, but can be at different stages of their startup journey: from developing their first product or building a brand, through to building a team and raising investment.
Whilst our founders come from all industries, the majority of our startups are in these areas:
- Food & Drink
- Beauty
- Fashion & Apparel
- E-commerce
- Retail
- Health & Fitness
- Digital App-based Services
- Creative Industries
If you've built experience and gained insight in these industries, have you considered mentoring a founder to follow in your footsteps?
One of the most satisfying things is hearing about mentees in similar situations that I have faced, and will face again.
Ewan Lacey, Virgin StartUp Mentor
Am I Eligible?
We are looking for people who have experience in business: you’re either a founder of your own business, have had significant entrepreneurial experience working within a startup, or hold a senior position in Marketing, Advertising, Branding, Sales, Investment, or PR. You must also be based in the UK.
WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT
- The mentoring role is a voluntary position
- 8 hours of mentoring support over 6 months to a founder via video call or face-to-face
- Check-in surveys to let us know how your partnership is going
Benefits of Becoming a Mentor
By mentoring with Virgin StartUp, you can help the next generation of early stage founders build better businesses.
Alongside working directly with founders to support and guide them as they startup, you also have access to other benefits including:
- Joining Virgin StartUp community of 1,000+ mentors and founders
- Access to our monthly digital events
- Opportunities to contribute to our digital events and advice sessions
- You'll get a mentor badge for use on your social accounts and website
- Monthly mentor newsletter
- Opportunities to be featured in our content on our website and social channels
- Gifts for Mentor of the Quarter and Mentor of the Year
APPLY TO BECOME A MENTOR
Fill in this short application and someone from our team will be in touch if we feel you could be the right fit for the Mentor programme. Unfortunately, due to the high number of applications we receive, it isn't always possible to get back to everyone who applies. Thank you in advance however for your interest and support in helping our founders start up and thrive
There is nothing more satisfying for me than giving back to those who require support as we all require this at some point in our lives.
Heerum Fleary, Virgin StartUp Mentor