15 online mentoring platforms for entrepreneurs to build successful businesses
In this post, we are going to talk about how to find online mentors through online mentorship platforms.
Online mentorship is becoming increasingly important in today’s digital age. This is especially true in the midst of a pandemic, as people are working from home and engaging with others online for work and social reasons. Because of this, finding the right online mentor can be difficult–but luckily, there are some tips you can keep in mind to find the right mentor for you!
The first thing you can do is make a list of skills and qualities you are looking for in an online mentor. This could be anything from communication style, time management, or even technical knowledge. If you’re not sure what skills or qualities matter to you, then it can help to think about what you hope to gain from the mentorship relationship. Once you have a list of qualities, you can start looking for potential mentors who fit that criterion.
There are a few different ways to find potential mentors. The first is to look online, on sites like LinkedIn or Facebook. You can also search for specific keywords related to your field or interests and see who is active in those communities. Another option is to reach out to acquaintances or friends, as they may be able to connect you with someone they know personally.
Once you have a few potential mentors in mind, the next step is to reach out and start getting to know them. This could mean commenting on their posts or sending them a private message. If you have the opportunity, it can also be helpful to meet them in person, either virtually or through social distancing measures. As you get to know potential mentors, pay attention to how they make you feel and whether they seem like a good fit for what you’re looking for.
If you find someone who you think would be a good mentor, the next step is to ask them if they’re interested in mentoring you. This can be a difficult conversation to have, but it’s important to remember that everyone has different schedules and commitments. If they’re not able to mentor you at this time, that’s okay! There are plenty of other potential mentors out there.
Online mentorship can be a great way to develop new skills and gain insights from more experienced professionals. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of finding the right mentor for you.
What are online mentoring platforms?
Mentoring platforms are online tools that help connect mentors and mentees. These platforms provide a space for users to create profiles, find matches, and communicate with each other.
Mentoring platforms can be used for both professional and personal development. Many of these platforms focus on specific industries or topics, such as business, technology, or education.
Why use a mentoring platform?
There are several benefits to using a mentoring platform:
1. Access to mentors: A mentoring platform gives you access to a larger pool of potential mentors than you would likely have otherwise. This can be especially helpful if you’re looking for a mentor in a specific industry or topic.
2. Ease of use: Mentoring platforms are designed to make it easy for both mentors and mentees to connect. Most of them have features such as search filters, message boards, and chat functions that allow you to quickly find matches and communicate with them easily.
3. Supportive community: By joining a mentoring platform, you’ll also be joining a supportive community of like-minded individuals. This can provide you with valuable resources and connections that can help you in your career or personal development journey.
4. Accountability: Having a mentor can hold you accountable to your goals and help you stay on track. A mentoring platform can provide you with the structure and support you need to stay accountable and motivated.
5. Flexibility: A mentoring platform gives you the flexibility to find a mentor who meets your specific needs. You can search for mentors based on their location, availability, or expertise. This allows you to find a mentor who is the right fit for you.
Now let’s look at the startup mentoring platforms where you can find a mentor suited to your need.
Note- This list contains startup mentorship platforms mainly for entrepreneurs, startups, and business owners.
Now, let’s look at the 15 online mentoring platforms.
1. Growthmentor
GrowthMentor is a select platform of invite-only startup and marketing mentors with prior expertise in their disciplines. Entrepreneurs, businesses, and marketers may book 1-on-1 meetings with these advisors using Skype, Zoom, or Google Hangouts to interact.
Have you tried asking seasoned marketers for advice on your marketing goals (Outbound Marketing, Content Marketing, User Experience…)? If not, consider reaching out to industry professionals to get assistance with various applications (Facebook Ads, Intercom, Drip…)
Another fantastic approach to make use of the platform is to schedule a call just to verify your concepts and marketing plan in general.
Pricing: $120/month with unlimited calls with FREE mentors. $60/per month for the annual plan.
2. Seekho.ai (India)
Seekho is India’s first micro-learning platform that teaches, guides, and recruits. If you’re a learner, you can learn more on Seekho by taking one-minute training lessons, quizzes, competitive learning streaks, and more.
With the help of industry professionals and authorities from leading firms, you may be mentored by the top 1% and have your interviews with ease. Whether it’s about cracking a PM interview, resolving case studies, planning how to get a lucrative internship, or better understanding digital marketing or wanting to learn and grow in your area, Seekho can help you.
Seekho allows you to learn in a variety of ways! Live events, mentorship sessions, quick little films, video series, and social media groups are all available to assist you discover various learning methods and delve deeper. Apart from learning, it also has exciting Job and Internship offers with top businesses.
Price: Freemium pricing. INR 999 (around $15) for access to full module on any specialization.
3. Seekwise
Seekwise is a network of mentors who offer advice and guidance to people seeking help in areas including design, technology, career coaching, and more.
Seekwise mentors offer 1:1 Mentoring Sessions or Group Sessions. While 1:1 Sessions are fantastic for getting personal with individual mentees, group Sessions allow mentors to mentor in groups.
Mentors on their platform can charge for their sessions. While most of the money is paid out to the mentor, Seekwise charges a small commission fee that helps to build a profitable, sustainable business.
Price: Freemium pricing. Most mentors currently offer free coaching.
4. Coachhub
Coachhub is a leading global talent development platform that allows businesses to design a customized, measurable, and scalable coaching program for the whole workforce, regardless of department or seniority level.
When people are more engaged and enjoying their work, they’re far more productive and creative, which leads to greater profits. Employee engagement is another key reason why employees stay with a firm for longer periods of time. Organizations can achieve a slew of benefits including enhanced employee engagement, increased productivity, improved job performance, and higher retention by engaging employees.
Over 3,500 certified business coaches from 60 countries across six continents provide coaching sessions in over 50 languages through ‘CoachHub,’ a global network of consultants.
Pricing: Premium pricing. B2B coaching for companies.
5. Mentspot
Mentorship does not have to be limited to the professional realm. MentSpot is a platform that allows mentors and mentees to discover one another and interact. Instead of spending hours on LinkedIn or Facebook looking for a mentor, anyone may locate one in a matter of seconds using MentSpot.
The site also has features like a goal list, chat, and audio conferencing. Goal lists make it easier for a mentor (and yourself) to help you progress through the process.
Pricing: Free
6. Mentorcruise
Mentorcruise helps connect to 1,000+ aspiring people in Tech with founders, veterans, and talents working at the best companies in the tech industry to help them push toward their goals and reach the next level of their careers.
In addition, they claim to offer the most diverse pool of mentors in programming, design, and business. Teams, startups, schools, and boot camps can also benefit from administrative mentoring solutions.
Pricing: Start as low as $10/month and go higher than $500
7. RookieUp
RookieUp is a design mentorship platform that offers short-term programs, on-demand mentorship, and portfolio-building tools to help prospective designers establish an outstanding design portfolio and start their design career.
You get to pick from a list of renowned design mentors, and work with them to make progress fast.
You get lifetime access to portfolio projects, job-prep guides, and portfolio-building resources, all of which were developed with the aid of design recruiters from top businesses. You also get access to your own mentor, design recruiter, and student advisor who can give you feedback and keep you on track.
Pricing: $600 for the bootcamp
8. Clarity.fm
Clarity provides on-demand business advice for entrepreneurs. A part of the startups.com platform, Clarity helps you connect with experts who can give you startup advice on various topics like entrepreneurship, strategy, marketing, business development, etc.
You can browse from a community of experts and find the right expert. You can request a call and then pay based on the expert’s per-minute rate.
They claim to have over 30,000+ verified authorities from the world’s top cities – most of whom are extremely successful entrepreneurs like Mark Cuban, Eric Ries, and Cameron Herold.
Pricing: Variable pricing depending on how much mentors charge
9. Mentorcam
Mentorcam is a marketplace where people can talk to high-profile mentors for 1:1 advice, feedback and inspiration. You can connect with a mentor by booking a live call or messaging them. Get feedback and advice on your problem. Continue to work with your mentor as you progress.
Mentorcam provides mentors for startups, small businesses, career growth and self development. They also have a mobile app available on both Google Play and Apple iOS.
Pricing: Variable pricing depending on how much mentors charge
10. Mentorpass
MentorPass is a mentoring platform for startups. It helps founders build and grow their businesses by connecting them with top startup advisors globally. This platform was founded with the objective to combine coaching and incubator benefits for people.
There are hundreds of mentoring programs on this mentor matching platform, including coaches and mentors in a variety of fields. You’ll learn how to generate money, service pricing, and resource scaling with MentorPass. This online mentoring platform also allows you to get access to funding since many investors utilize MentorPass to find good investments.
Pricing: Starts from $300 per month
11. The Mentoring Club
Because of the 2020 corona pandemic, The Mentoring Club project was created while working from home. This platform began as a thought about how to assist people in their own learning processes and help connect experts with individuals who enjoy learning.
The Mentoring Club offers free mentoring to engineers and product enthusiasts, marketing and communication managers, designers, startup entrepreneurs, and creative minds.
Founded by Jessica Dewald and Bastian Buch, The Mentoring Club already connects over 100 mentors from around the world with those who are keen to learn, grow and advance in their personal development.
Mentors come from organizations including Siemens, Amazon, KPMG, Slack, Zalando, Spotify and Delivery Hero, to name a few.
Pricing: Free
12. Sparrow
Sparrow is a platform for entrepreneurs and founders who are looking for help in customer acquisition. Sparrow provides mentorship calls with startup founders who have built, scaled, and sold their startups for millions of dollars.
Over a 90-day period, your advisor will work with you to help you figure out your customer acquisition strategy so that you learn to focus on effective marketing channels that work for your product.
Pricing: Mentoring starts at $75 per hour after a free 30-minute demo growth session
13. Micromentor
Micromentor is a program of Mercy Corps, a nonprofit organization that is active in over 40 countries.
Micromentor is a community that connects entrepreneurs and mentors from all over the world to help small business thrive. All you have to do is set up a profile on the platform, read through profiles of other entrepreneurs, and find the one who can help you. Reach out to them by sending them a message.
Pricing: Free
14. Coffee Mug
CoffeeMug is a video-first global platform of senior professionals, connecting 1:1, virtually, or over coffee, building a powerful, long-lasting relationship. It’s a curated network of entrepreneurs, mentors & investors.
CoffeeMug.ai is a member-only networking site for top-of-funnel talent that employs artificial intelligence to meet CXOs, entrepreneurs, VCs, and other company executives’ needs in recruiting investment, and network building. It utilizes an AI-based matchmaking mechanism to create smooth connections and establish video meetings between stakeholders.
The platform caters to:
a) Job seekers or employers (senior professionals seeking jobs or looking to hire other leadership talents, such as business partners or co-founders)
b) For entrepreneurs seeking to raise money or venture capitalists searching for investment possibilities
c) Professionals who want to connect with experts/advisors to find solutions to different business problems
Users must convey their intention at the outset of the product trip, which CoffeeMug’s AI uses to generate relevant matches based on users’ preferences.
Pricing: Free
15. Linkedin
Although Linkedin is a professional social network, it is also a great platform for finding mentors. All you have to do is search for “startup mentor” or “business mentor” and mention the industry and location while you search.
The problem with finding mentors on Linkedin is that they are not vetted and it’s hard to find quality mentors without doing deep research. Most mentors on Linkedin are paid so choose wisely.
Mentorship Programs for Entrepreneurs
Here are some mentorship programs for startups and entrepreneurs:
- SCORE:
- SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides free mentoring to small business owners and entrepreneurs. They have a network of experienced mentors across various industries.
- Mentorship.org:
- Mentorship.org connects entrepreneurs with experienced mentors. The platform aims to foster mentorship relationships that can help startups grow and succeed.
- Techstars:
- Techstars is a global startup accelerator that offers mentorship as a key component of its programs. They connect startups with successful entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.
- Y Combinator:
- Y Combinator is a well-known startup accelerator that provides funding and mentorship to early-stage startups. It has a strong network of successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
- Founder Institute:
- Founder Institute is a global pre-seed startup accelerator that includes mentorship as a core element. It provides a structured program to help entrepreneurs launch successful companies.
- 500 Startups:
- 500 Startups is a global venture capital firm and startup accelerator that offers mentorship, investment, and support to early-stage companies.
- MassChallenge:
- MassChallenge is a global nonprofit accelerator that connects startups with experienced mentors, resources, and potential investors.
- AngelPad:
- AngelPad is a seed-stage accelerator program that provides mentorship to startups. It focuses on helping entrepreneurs refine their ideas and achieve success.
- Women’s Startup Lab:
- Women’s Startup Lab is a program specifically designed for female entrepreneurs. It offers mentorship, networking, and support to women-led startups.
- TiE Global:
- TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) is a global organization that connects entrepreneurs with experienced mentors, provides networking opportunities, and supports the growth of startups.
When considering a mentorship program, it’s essential to look into the specific offerings, industry focus, and success stories associated with each program to find the best fit for your startup or entrepreneurial journey.
How do I find a business mentor online?
With entrepreneurship and remote work on the rise, online business mentors are more in demand than ever. Finding the right mentor can lead to invaluable guidance, advice and support for your startup journey. Here are some effective ways to find an online business mentor:
Leverage mentoring platforms: Specialized mentorship platforms like MentorCruise, Seekwise and Coachhub connect mentees to experts in different areas including marketing, finance, product development etc. Create a profile highlighting your business needs and get matched to suitable mentors.
Search LinkedIn: LinkedIn has a vast professional network and influential subject matter experts. Search for relevant keywords like “startup mentor” or “business advisor” along with your industry and location. You can view profiles before connecting for shared interests.
Join online business communities: Platforms like Bizversity, Founders Network and Dynamo Founders community allow networking opportunities with veteran entrepreneurs open to mentorships. Actively participate and build connections.
Attend virtual conferences: Online events and webinars in your space can help discover well-known speakers, bloggers or panelists who offer their guidance and time. Interact and follow-up over email for a mentoring relationship.
Get referrals from your network: Talk to founders in your network for referrals to mentors who have specifically helped them overcome similar challenges with valuable insights. Such context-relevant mentors can quickly understand your scenario.
By tapping into multiple sources, entrepreneur-focused platforms and personalized referrals, finding the ideal e-mentor to guide your startup journey is well within reach. Reach out after doing due diligence for an enriching mentoring equation.
Mentorship for Women Entrepreneurs
Women make up over 30% of all entrepreneurs globally. However, they face more barriers in scaling and fundraising compared to male founders. This is where mentorship aimed specifically at women-led startups can make an immense difference. Here are some programs helping women entrepreneurs through guidance and support:
Ellevest: An investment platform run by women for women also offers a robust mentorship initiative called Ellevest Office Hours. Female founders get tailored advice on raising capital, marketing, leadership etc from top women business veterans.
Million Women Mentors: This global mentorship program aims to support the advancement of young women in STEM careers by facilitating guidance from highly qualified and trained Science, Technology, Engineering and Math mentors.
Astia Angels: This program offers guidance through a global community of expert advisors and investors to women-led high-growth startups. Backed by a strong screening process, startups gain tailored insights on strategy and access to nominate for fundraising opportunities.
Your First 1000 Clients: This structured 16-week program by business coach Dominique Levin offers mentorship targeted to service-based women entrepreneurs on nailing their niche, ideal client profile and consistently attracting clients through tried methods.
Another great initiative is the Women in Tech Mentoring Program by Women in Tech Foundation. Powered by OneUpOneDown, the program spans three months, offering mentees free mentoring in various areas such as IT, Career and Leadership, and Technology.
By joining women-centric mentorship initiatives, female founders get allies who already navigate the unique challenges they face through experience-backed empathy and direction. Such targeted programs uplift women-run firms to reach their highest potential.
How much does mentoring cost?
Mentoring can range from completely free to very expensive. Many platforms make it easy to sign up, set goals and connect with a mentor without any upfront costs or fees. For example, some of the platforms mentioned on our list are free.
Another great source of mentorship is startup accelerators and incubators where you get some initial capital as well. The only catch is that you have to give up some equity to participate in these programs.
While the cost of mentorship may vary based on the individual, platform, and type of mentorship that you are looking for, there are a wide variety of options available online to help connect you with a mentor at a price that works for you.
