1. Program Concept and Objectives

Goal: Develop a mentorship program that drives high-impact, sustainable change by providing startups with expert guidance, especially focused on supporting diverse and underrepresented founders.

Objective: Equip participants with insights and skills to enhance their social and environmental impact, while improving their business resilience in a rapidly evolving market.

2. Mentor Recruitment and Engagement Strategy

Identify Pro-bono Mentors: Focus on professionals with expertise in digital transformation, sustainability, and social impact from Avant Now’s network. Prioritize mentors who align with Avant Now’s values and have experience in tech-based social solutions.

Engagement Plan: To retain mentor involvement, create a feedback loop where mentors can see the direct impact of their guidance. Provide periodic updates on startup progress and facilitate mentor recognition within Avant Now’s platform.

3. Structured Program Phases

Phase 1: Onboarding and Goal Alignment

• Conduct introductory workshops to align mentors and startups with Avant Now’s impact goals and each team’s objectives.
• Use the innovate!now assessment (https://innovate-assessment.org) to evaluate each startup’s innovation readiness in sustainability, digital readiness, and innovation management.

Phase 2: Tailored Mentorship Sessions

• Develop a mentorship roadmap for each startup, based on assessment results. Mentors provide guidance in innovation management, digital innovation, and sustainability.
• Quarterly check-ins to assess progress and integrate mentors’ feedback.

Phase 3: Mid-term Evaluation and Network Integration

• Mid-program evaluation using innovate!now to measure advancements in innovation capacity and sustainability readiness.
• Share metrics with mentors and startups to celebrate milestones and refocus on improvement areas.

Phase 4: Final Presentation and Assessment Report

• Startups prepare a final presentation, showcasing growth, innovation readiness, and sustainability alignment.
• Provide startups with a detailed report from innovate!now to help them identify strategic areas for long-term success.

4. Deliverables and Format

This program plan will be presented in a clear, visually engaging PDF that reflects Avant Now’s branding and commitment to impactful change. Key modules include:

• Mentor onboarding resources.
• Support resources tailored to startups’ needs in digital and sustainable innovation readiness.