Become a mentee
Take your business to the next level with your own dedicated professional mentor.
Our flagship Mentoring Women in Business programme matches women entrepreneurs in low and middle income countries with experienced, dedicated professional mentors anywhere in the world. For one year, you will be paired with a mentor who will help you achieve your business goals, and build your wealth, stability and security.
You could find yourself being mentored by a knowledgeable, friendly professional from anywhere in the world and any sector, from a director of a major global corporation to a fellow successful woman entrepreneur. Their support will help improve your business performance and skills, boost your confidence and take your business to the next level.
Read all about the programme here!
Applications are open now! If you’re interested in this life-changing opportunity, we encourage you to read the guidelines below and complete the online application form by 21 April.
Of our 2022 graduating mentees...
99% gained skills
77% increased their customers
81% saw an improvement in their business performance
71% increased their profits
Through collaborating with a mentor, we also see women entrepreneurs regularly create jobs and opportunities in their communities, and become pioneering leaders, change-makers and role models.
I was able to settle my business and redesign it through the pandemic months. The support from my mentor was always present. Now I have a business I can rely on and feel confident about being able to make a living from it and being independent.
Together we are unstoppable: that’s why our Mentoring Women in Business programme has transformed the lives of thousands of women entrepreneurs since 2010.
We achieve, create, and succeed when we collaborate. Mentees say they love working with a mentor through our programme because they…
- Increase their business profits or improve their communication skills
- Determine their own goals and work towards these with support
- Improve their self confidence
- Gain skills in business planning and strategy expertise
- Grow their professional networks
- Enhance their businesses, going on to be better off and to achieve their dreams
In addition to the benefits of a mentoring relationship, participants who successfully complete the programme receive a certificate from Cherie Blair CBE KC, access to useful resources and our online community and more.
Mentees must be…
- A woman from and living in a low or middle income country
- Running their own business (meaning at least 51% ownership or decision-making authority) or about to launch their own business in the next three months
- Proficient in English (at an intermediate level or above), both written and spoken
- Able to commit to the programme for twelve months
- Able to access the internet and meet with their mentor online for a minimum of two hours a month
- Able to complete several feedback questionnaires by the stated deadline
- Willing to work with a mentor to build their business and personal development skills and confidence
- Nominated by one of our local mentee referral partners where possible
Mentees are expected to…
- Meet online with their mentor for two hours minimum per month, for a year
- Be proactive in driving the mentoring relationship and setting its direction
- Participate in around 1.5 hours of pre-matching training
- Complete interim and end-of-programme surveys
- Develop and submit goals to be worked on with their mentor
- Adhere to our Mentoring Women in Business programme Code of Conduct
We run three mentoring cohorts a year in May, August and November. Applications open in March for May’s cohort, in June for the August cohort and in September for November’s.
How to apply
There are two ways to join the programme as a mentee:
- As an affiliate of one of our mentee referral partners in your local country (strongly recommended) – find a partner here
- As an independent mentee, if there are no organisations with whom you can be affiliated. (Please note if you are not affiliated with one of our mentee referral partners, we will not be able to prioritise your application.)
If you meet the selection criteria and are not applying within our application window, please fill out the form below to express your interest in becoming a mentee, and we will be back in touch when we are next accepting applications to join the programme to ask you to apply.
Once our application window is open, the next step is to complete the online application form, which takes around 20 minutes.
Your application answers help us get to know you and find you a mentor who is the best fit for your interests, background, needs and goals.
During our application window, we aim to process and respond to applications within seven working days.
If you have any technical issues at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Please download and read the following before applying:
Read about the experiences of former mentees and mentors:
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The Power of Mentoring: Odunayo and Mireille’s story
Odunayo joined our Mentoring Women In Business programme in 2021 and was paired with her mentor Mireille. Here, they reflect on their mentoring relationship.
Read more
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Susi’s story
Susi took part in all three of our flagship programmes through our WEAVE initiative. With our support, she turned her passion for Japanese food and culture into a thriving enterprise.
Read more
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Quynh’s story
Our programmes were transformational for Quynh and her natural beauty product brand, supporting her to realise her dreams of creating a healthier, more sustainable planet.
Read more
