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Build what helps others rise. Dr. Victor Akaeze Founder, Truthsprout Network

Become a BDL Mentor

Give one or two hours a month to help an entrepreneur start, grow or expand a business that lasts. From anywhere, on your schedule.

Why mentor with BDL

Your experience is the shortcut someone else needs.

Impact

Help a business take root

Many of the entrepreneurs BDL works with have nobody else to ask. One honest conversation with someone who has done it can change what they do next.

Flexible

One or two hours a month

By video call or phone, from anywhere in the world. You choose how many entrepreneurs, and you can pause whenever you need to.

Growth

Sharpen how you lead

Mentoring builds the listening, questioning and coaching that make a better leader, and keeps you close to founders solving real problems in growing markets.

Recognition

Recognised for what you give

A certificate that records every match and hour, ready to add to LinkedIn. Online gatherings with fellow mentors each quarter. And a path to paid facilitation in the BDL programmes.

What we look for

Experience, generosity, and an hour or two a month.

  • At least five years running a business, or working in a field such as finance, marketing, sales, operations, law or technology.
  • You listen first, ask good questions, and give honest, practical feedback.
  • You are comfortable with email, WhatsApp and video calls. All BDL mentoring happens remotely.
  • One or two hours a month, and the courtesy to say so when you are busy.

We read every application, and may suggest a short call before approving it.

How it works

From application to your first conversation.

  1. Apply

    Tell us about your experience and what you can help with. It takes about five minutes.

  2. Meet the team

    We read every application, may suggest a short call, and email you when you are approved.

  3. Get introduced

    When an entrepreneur needs your experience, we introduce you both by email. Never more entrepreneurs than you said you can take.

  4. Talk, then let them act

    Start with a 30 minute call. Let them lead with their questions, and agree what they will do next. We check in with you both along the way.

The BDL mentor pathway

Start as a mentor. Grow into a paid facilitator.

Every match you complete goes on your record. The best mentors move up, and the top two levels are paid roles in the BDL programmes.

  1. Volunteer

    Mentor

    One or two hours a month, with up to three entrepreneurs at a time.

    How you get there. Approved after you apply.

  2. Volunteer

    Lead Mentor

    Mentors participants in the BDL programmes, runs small group mentor circles and welcomes new mentors.

    How you get there. Three completed matches that entrepreneurs rate 4 out of 5 or better, on average.

  3. Paid role

    Facilitator

    Teaches sessions in the paid BDL programmes: SBIP, BEP and BLP.

    How you get there. Chosen from Lead Mentors when a programme needs your subject, after facilitator training and one observed session.

  4. Paid role

    Faculty

    Shapes the BDL curriculum, leads cohorts and judges at Innovate Showcase.

    How you get there. Chosen once a year from experienced facilitators.

Facilitator and faculty places are limited and filled as the programmes need them, so most mentors stay volunteers, and that is the heart of BDL mentoring. The first 25 mentors we approve are BDL Founding Mentors, on their record and certificate for good.

  • Free to join, and free for every entrepreneur.
  • One or two hours a month.
  • Online, from anywhere in the world.
  • You choose how many entrepreneurs.

After you apply

We email you straight away to confirm, then read your application. Approval comes with a welcome email and your own link to invite a colleague.

Read the mentoring code of conduct

Looking for a mentor yourself?

Every question is required unless it is marked optional.

Step 1 About you

We use this to introduce you, and for nothing else.

Helps us arrange a quick call. Include your country code.

The quickest way for us to approve you.

For example: Finance Director, Ada Foods. Or: Founder of three logistics businesses.

Step 2 Your experience
Years running a business or working in your field
What you can help with

Choose up to five, the ones you know best.

For example: agriculture, fashion, food processing.

So we can introduce people who share a language.

Step 3 How you would like to mentor
The kind of mentoring you prefer

We never introduce you to more than this. You can change it any time.

Your experience, and the kind of entrepreneur you would most like to help. We share this with the entrepreneurs we introduce you to.

1000 characters remaining of 1000.

Step 4 Agreements

We confirm by email straight away.

Running a business, and want a mentor of your own?

BDL mentoring is free for entrepreneurs. Tell us what you need, and we will introduce you to someone who has done it.

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