Save My Knees.
I am writing you today from Granada, Nicaragua, where I am working with Agora Partnerships and identifying entrepreneurs that the Mentor Capital Network (MCN) should support. A few weeks ago I was in Merida, Mexico at Latin American Impact Investment Forum for the same reason. A few weeks from now I will be in San Diego at the Social Venture Network and Mumbai, India at the Sankalp Global Conference.
Because I’ll go anywhere in the world to find the best social entrepreneurs for the MCN to support.
And, as much as I enjoyed discussing public health marketing strategy on the rim of a volcano yesterday (seriously), all this travel is wearing me down. For those of you who haven’t met me – I’m a big guy. I don’t fit easily into planes, trains, and other people-moving-contraptions. My knees hurt. A small sacrifice, I know, but still.
Please save me the travel. Let me know if you know any social entrepreneurs that we should be supporting. We’re looking for for-profit companies with a social, environmental, or cultural mission built into who they are. We’re looking for entrepreneurs who can put together a solid business plan that our reviewers can provide feedback on. We’re looking for companies that our mentors can engage with over the long term. And we’re looking for investments that will return social and financial returns.
So if you know anyone who is starting or growing a company that fit into those categories, either in the pure idea stage, or with a couple of years of traction, let me know.
Our next two application deadlines are March 25th and August 3rd. You can just send me their email, or they can apply directly.
While every program that is accepted will receive feedback and mentor connections, the top teams can split $38,500 in cash prizes and another $30,000 worth of professional services.
Thank you! The MCN thanks you. And my knees thank you.
Want to learn more about our William James Foundation Sustainable Business Plan Collaboration?
How does it work?
We customize a team of mentors to read your business plan and provide you their expertise and perspectives. As a mentor reads your plan, and provides you feedback, they can opt-in and provide you their contact information. Once you have their contact information, and their mentor feedback, you have the opportunity to reach out and continue to get advice, coaching or mentoring from these industry leaders. Our program is the tool we use to connect the right entrepreneurs to the right mentors.
Participation in our programs also gives you an opportunity to be part of our Investor Fishbowl and Green Grab events where we put companies in front of accredited investors to pitch for professional debt or equity investment. Many of our mentors are investors, and use our program as a chance to review potential investments, as well as to use the feedback of the other mentors to help qualify their pipelines. Here is a list of companies in our current cohort.
We have several cohorts and prize categories. Our prizes are cash and professional services that will go to our top companies. The list keeps growing. Finalists pick from the prize pool in order of finish, to better match you to a prize you can use.
Also, don’t miss this year’s Social Venture Network’s Spring Conference in San Diego, CA, April 14-17. Mentor Capital Network will be there, and we hope you will be, too!
The Mentor Capital Network is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and depends entirely on the support of donors like you. If you like the work that we do to support start-up and growing social enterprises around the globe, please contribute today.
The Mentor Capital Network is a trade name of the William James Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible.