British Columbia Innovation Council

There are many opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs to learn first-hand from experienced business leaders. Mentors are experts in their respective fields, in areas ranging from financing and business essentials to successful strategies for CEOs.

Why is it important?

Mentors are valuable because they are able to share lessons learned and important business strategies gained through their own experiences. A mentor can help you by:

• Sharing their experiences starting a new business, including successes and challenges
• Providing advice and helping you to see the "big picture"
• Serving as a sounding board and/or providing a second opinion "for free"
• Identifying your strengths and your weaknesses
• Facilitating introductions to expand your network (i.e., connect you to others including key business people and/or potential customers)

Joining an industry association and attending industry events to make contacts in your field is one way to network and learn from others.

Organizations in BC which facilitate mentoring services for entrepreneurs

• ACETECH: CEO mentoring organization
• C100: C100 is a non-profit, member-driven organization dedicated to supporting Canadian technology entrepreneurship and investment.
• Canadian Youth Business Foundation: The Canadian Youth Business Foundation is a national charity that provides pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring for youth age 18-34 to help start a business.
• Kootenay Association for Science & Technology (KAST): KAST offers mentorship, business coaching and consultation services to businesses.
• LifeSciences BC: BC Excels Mentorship Program - Participating companies partner with highly experienced and successful mentors from their respective field who work with them through the program.
• New Ventures BC: As part of the New Ventures BC Competition, the Mentor Program matches experienced business experts with 15 competitor teams in Round 2, and 25 competitor teams in Round 3.
• SFU Venture Connection: Venture Connection Affiliates are experienced entrepreneurs, investors and business people who share a desire to advance the growth of start-up and early-stage companies in British Columbia by sharing their experiences with the next generation of entrepreneurs.
• The Vancouver Board of Trade: Leaders of Tomorrow Mentorship Program - Partners final year post secondary students with mentors from Vancouver's business community.
• Vancouver Enterprise Forum: Advance technology entrepreneurship through networking forums that educate and motivate.
• Women's Enterprise Centre: Provide resources for women entrepreneurs, offering skills development, business loans, free business guidance, business resources, mentoring, networking and events.