Being a mentor is a most challenging and rewarding experience. Through knowledge sharing, networks and inspirational guidance, mentors empower their talented mentees to build innovative ventures that create (economic and social) value and drive change. As an organization, we take special pride in our network of amazing mentors. 

A truly international network, Orange Grove’s mentors are located from the USA to Australia, bringing their international insights and local expertise to our founders’ community. This is a diverse network, from different markets, fields and backgrounds, which consists of successful founders, serial entrepreneurs, seasoned corporate executives, members of leading organizations, venture building experts and much more, providing our founders with personalized advice, industry expertise, access to contacts to help them succeed and so much more. 

Orange Grove’s mentors have actively contributed to the growth of unique ventures. Ventures achieving technological breakthroughs (such as FEAC “beating” corrosion), changing the landscape of e-education (such as Learnworlds’ e-learning platform which raised $32M), launching international environmental interventions (such as Enaleia cleaning the Mediterranean Sea from plastics) or becoming global ambassadors of premium Greek agri-products (such as LIA’s awarded best Monovarietal EVOO olive oil in the world) to name just a few. But, also, the hundreds more ventures which create job positions, impact their local economies, promote innovation and generate spill-over effects. 

While the gains of getting a mentor are quite straightforward, the value for the mentors may not always be that obvious. Yet, for any relationship to be successful, the benefits must be two-sided. And when it comes to mentorship, it surely is a two-way relationship. 

Mentors help new aspiring entrepreneurs build innovative ventures, disrupt markets, create job positions, foster change or “simply” make their dreams a reality. It is a means to create a powerful impact on people’s lives, give back to the community and be part of someone’s wonderful journey to success. Thus, for many mentoring is a source of personal fulfilment and inspiration. 

But, being a mentor at an incubator for most is so much more. It is an invitation to be in the forefront of innovation. New ideas, new trends, new technologies, incubators are the nursery ground for the new innovations coming our way and as a mentor you actively contribute to this process, while also growing yourself; Building mentoring experience sharpens a mentor’s expertise and poses a constant mental challenge; It allows her/him to develop as a professional and individual, and cultivate better skills, such as leadership or communication skills; All this, while meeting with incredible talent and connecting with like-minded people from the mentor and wider network. 

Mentors in our network can choose to be assigned mentors, ad-hoc mentors or, ideally, both. The difference essentially has to do with the time a mentor is able to commit. 

Assigned mentors: Each venture entering Orange Grove’s incubation or acceleration programmes is assigned a mentor who will guide the founders throughout the course of their OG participation. The mentor and mentees meet regularly and work on the team’s action plan. The team’s mentorship is complemented by ad-hoc 1–1s with other mentors of the network to receive guidance from their particular area of expertise. 

Ad-hoc mentors: Mentors can support multiple ventures through 1–1 mentoring sessions, sharing their specialized expertise with founders upon request. Depending on the sector, area of expertise, country or other factors we connect mentors with ventures we believe can benefit from their specialized insights. 

Each mentor chooses the amount of time they can offer, at each given time and circumstance. But, no matter what type of mentor one chooses to be, commitment and responsiveness are a prerequisite when undertaking this role. 

And while there are multiple reasons to join the network, financial or ego-centred reasons are not among them. There is no financial or other compensation for mentors in our network. And, no room for advertisement, self-promotion or other similar gain. 

When it comes to mentoring, there is no one-size-fits-all. There are innumerable mentoring ways and styles. But, as a rule of thumb, mentors offer mentees guidance, share with them their knowledge, support them in creating an action plan & set milestones, and assist their networking efforts. 

Mentoring is a very rewarding experience but an important responsibility, demanding not only deep professional knowledge but also significant communication skills. As a mentor, you are expected to share with your mentees insights and experiences you have accumulated during your own career and personal journey. Be discreet with the information shared with you, this is a relationship built on trust. Be inspirational but grounded. You need to address weak points honestly. Listen, challenge, be direct, be understanding. Show empathy. Remember how tough it is for them but push them to make progress. Avoid telling them what to do and which direction to take, just share with them your balanced opinion. You must guide your mentees to find their own answers. And, make sure expectations from both sides are discussed and agreed from early on. 

During our programmes, we are not only trying to make the ventures stronger but, perhaps more importantly, make the mentees better founders, empowered with skills, tools and Values. Founders are encouraged to explore what their theory of change will be and how their venture will generate profit and positive impact. We expect our mentors to guide them on that journey. Thus, we need them to share our set of core values and adhere to our Code of Conduct.