Startup Mentoring

If you’re a corporate innovation manager, you know how important it is to nurture and support the growth of your internal startups. However, this can be a challenging task, particularly for large corporations with many different teams and initiatives.

That’s where startup mentoring comes in. By providing your internal startups with access to experienced mentors, you can help them overcome key challenges and unlock their full potential. So what are the key problems that startup mentoring solves for large corporations? Let’s take a look.

Problem #1: Lack of Experience

One of the biggest challenges that internal startups face is a lack of experience. Many of the team members working on these initiatives may be new to entrepreneurship or may not have experience in the specific industry they are targeting.

Startup mentoring can help solve this problem by providing your internal startups with access to experienced mentors who can offer guidance and support. These mentors can share their own experiences and provide insights into the industry, helping your internal startups navigate challenges and make informed decisions.

Problem #2: Limited Resources

Internal startups within large corporations often face limited resources, both in terms of funding and staffing. This can make it difficult for them to execute on their vision and reach their full potential.

Startup mentoring can help solve this problem by providing your internal startups with access to a network of resources and connections. Mentors can help connect your internal startups with potential investors, partners, and suppliers, as well as provide advice on how to manage resources effectively.

Problem #3: Lack of Focus

Another challenge that internal startups may face is a lack of focus. With so many different initiatives and teams within a large corporation, it can be easy for internal startups to get distracted or lose sight of their goals.

Startup mentoring can help solve this problem by providing your internal startups with a clear focus and direction. Mentors can help your internal startups refine their vision and develop a clear roadmap for achieving their goals, as well as hold them accountable for progress and results.

Problem #4: Limited Perspective

Internal startups within large corporations may also struggle with a limited perspective. They may be too focused on internal processes and procedures, or they may not have a deep understanding of the wider industry and market trends.

Startup mentoring can help solve this problem by providing your internal startups with access to a broader perspective. Mentors can offer insights into the wider industry landscape, as well as provide guidance on best practices and emerging trends.

Problem #5: Resistance to Change

Finally, internal startups within large corporations may face resistance to change from other teams or departments. This can make it difficult for them to implement new ideas and technologies, and can limit their ability to innovate.

Startup mentoring can help solve this problem by providing your internal startups with the support and encouragement they need to implement change. Mentors can offer advice on how to navigate internal politics and gain buy-in from other teams and departments, as well as provide guidance on how to manage resistance to change effectively.

Conclusion

Startup mentoring is a powerful tool for large corporations that are looking to nurture and support the growth of their internal startups. By providing your internal startups with access to experienced mentors, you can help them overcome key challenges and unlock their full potential.

If you’re a corporate innovation manager, consider exploring the benefits of startup mentoring for your internal startups. With the right program in place, you can help your internal startups succeed and drive growth for your company.

Our Approach

When working with corporate teams we’ve found that they can be less entrepreneurial than traditional startups – and because they are also working on other work projects time can be constrained.

Startup mentoring works very hard to shift the mindset of teams, using a fairly directive approach to quickly move them away from what works in a managerial culture, to what works in a highly uncertain entrepreneurial one.

The core phrase is – “we meet your teams where they are” – then we move them to where you need them to be. It’s not vanilla cookie-cutter stuff, but to a large extent, custom training for each team.

The outcome is that your teams learn more, move faster, and deliver more – and this helps you hit all your KPIs more easily than you’d believe.