Become a Mentor

How to Become a Mentor

The Responsibility of the Mentor

MERLIN mentors are recruited for their expertise in business formation and funding, strategic planning, organizational management, and specific technical fields as well as for their skills as advisors and enthusiasm for the mentoring service program. Commonly, new mentors are recommended by existing mentors.

MERLIN mentors are required to follow certain guidelines, including confidentiality and conflict of interest. In addition, there are criteria that must be met to become a MERLIN mentor.

What is the time commitment for the mentor?
When the mentor/entrepreneur relationship is formed, the entrepreneur and mentor team make a mutual decision on the frequency of meetings and the optimal format. Since each venture is unique, the nature, extent and time frame of the MERLIN mentoring process is largely determined on a case-by-case basis. In general, MERLIN sees the mentoring process as an ongoing educational relationship, requiring a minimum of the equivalent of one day per month.

Become a Mentor

How to Become a Mentor

MERLIN mentors are recruited for their expertise in business formation and funding, strategic planning, organizational management, and specific technical fields as well as for their skills as advisors and enthusiasm for the mentoring service program. Commonly, new mentors are recommended by existing mentors.

MERLIN mentors are required to follow certain guidelines, including confidentiality and conflict of interest. In addition, there are criteria that must be met to become a MERLIN mentor.

What is the time commitment for the mentor?
When the mentor/entrepreneur relationship is formed, the entrepreneur and mentor team make a mutual decision on the frequency of meetings and the optimal format. Since each venture is unique, the nature, extent and time frame of the MERLIN mentoring process is largely determined on a case-by-case basis. In general, MERLIN sees the mentoring process as an ongoing educational relationship, requiring a minimum of the equivalent of one day per month.

The Responsibility of the Mentor

A volunteer director and a steering committee plans and supervises the mentoring services. A review committee and a governing committee provide operational oversight and general direction. MERLIN mentors are responsible for abiding by, and reporting issues involving the policies, rules and directives of the organization.

Mentors shall not solicit any financial arrangements for themselves or a related party from an entrepreneur that they are currently involved with in a MERLIN project. If an entrepreneur approaches a MERLIN mentor with an offer to either become an employee, consultant, or investor in that entrepreneur's company, the mentor will provide the MERLIN director with 30 days notice to review the proposal. In such a case, the MERLIN mentor will be required to step down from the mentor team for that entrepreneur to eliminate any conflict of interest. In such a case, MERLIN will inform the entrepreneur of the mentor's withdrawal and will offer to arrange an alternative mentor match.

Click to view the Prospective Mentor Criteria or apply to become a MERLIN mentor by completing the MERLIN Mentor application online. (You may also download the MERLIN Mentor application as a PDF. )

A volunteer director and a steering committee plans and supervises the mentoring services. A review committee and a governing committee provide operational oversight and general direction. MERLIN mentors are responsible for abiding by, and reporting issues involving the policies, rules and directives of the organization.

Mentors shall not solicit any financial arrangements for themselves or a related party from an entrepreneur that they are currently involved with in a MERLIN project. If an entrepreneur approaches a MERLIN mentor with an offer to either become an employee, consultant, or investor in that entrepreneur's company, the mentor will provide the MERLIN director with 30 days notice to review the proposal. In such a case, the MERLIN mentor will be required to step down from the mentor team for that entrepreneur to eliminate any conflict of interest. In such a case, MERLIN will inform the entrepreneur of the mentor's withdrawal and will offer to arrange an alternative mentor match.

Click to view the Prospective Mentor Criteria or apply to become a MERLIN mentor by completing the MERLIN Mentor application online. (You may also download the MERLIN Mentor application as a PDF. )