Help a small business succeed
Visa and Bridge for Billions invite you to mentor innovative start-ups.
Leverage your expertise and Bridge for Billions’ online incubation program to support early-stage entrepreneurs in developing a business plan.
What's Bridge for Billions?
Bridge for Billions is a digital ecosystem of incubation programs that provides the right tools and guidance to early-stage entrepreneurs to develop their projects, facilitates access to mentorship, and offers a dynamic and impactful learning experience for founders and mentors.
The program relies on a scalable technology platform and a proven methodology so you can easily support a venture with the guidance of our structured program, over a period of 3.5 months.
In this edition of the program, we will select +30 Black and African American entrepreneurs across Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Atlanta, GA; Detroit, MI; Washington, D.C. and Miami, FL that you will be able to meet and choose who to accompany as a mentor during the program.
Why should you participate in this program?
Learn by doing
Our active learning model facilitates the role of the mentor by providing a clear structure and resources explained in a simple and practical way.
Connect with innovative people
You will have the opportunity to connect, meet and then choose the different projects of the selected entrepreneurs.
Join a global community
Expand your network by connecting with founders and mentors from around the world.
Continuous learning
As a mentor, you will receive training and the same tools as entrepreneurs, and you will practice skills such as active listening and effective communication.
Whenever and wherever you are
Support your project from anywhere in the world, at a time that suits you. Our program is 100% online.
Be part of the change and lead the future
Connect with like-minded profiles and work with courageous people who are working on some of the biggest challenges and opportunities.
Requirements to apply as a mentor
- Availability of 1 hour per week during the 3 and a half months of the program.
- Have at least 5 years of professional experience.
- Commitment to review and monitor your entrepreneur's work prior to her mentoring meetings.
- Have a passion for entrepreneurship and helping entrepreneurs succeed.
Apply before November 21st!
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Program Timeline
Apply to participate in the program
Tell us more about yourself and your professional profile by submitting your application below. Our team will evaluate your selection in the program.
Confirmation of selected profiles
We will review the completed applications to select mentors to participate in this edition of the program.
Join the onboarding session
If selected, you will be invited to participate in an information session to welcome you to the incubation experience. In this session we will cover the role of program participants, your role as a mentor, the use of incubation tools and more.
Incubation Program
Start the online incubation experience with mentoring sessions, work tools and structured development. You will have 3.5 months ( with a 2 week break for the holidays) to help your entrepreneur complete the incubation cycle and develop her validated business plan.
The best incubation tools
The Bridge for Billions methodology is based on developing a business plan from scratch while participants are surrounded by a supportive community: mentors, fellow entrepreneurs and our incubation team.
Our online incubation tools allow entrepreneurs to experiment, research and document their ideas step by step so that at the end of the program they can download their own business plan in PDF.
Ready to start?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time is required to participate in the program?
During the duration of the program, you will have to meet once a week with your entrepreneur for mentoring meetings for 1 hour. In addition to that, we recommend always dedicating at least 30 extra minutes to review progress on the platform, and go to the meetings prepared. Also, as the mentee completes each of the tools, you and/or your co-mentor should carefully review each section of the tool to validate the mentee’s work, this takes at least 1 extra hour.
What technology will I need for the program?
You should be able to use a laptop or desktop computer (not a tablet or mobile phone) and preferably one of these browsers: Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox. We expect you to have a strong and reliable internet connection both for your online work on the platform and to participate in the calls with your mentee via videoconference.
How will I find the entrepreneur I will support?
To facilitate the matching process between mentors and mentees, we have created the process of “organic matching”.
This way, you will have the opportunity to meet the different participating projects, invite them to a “Virtual Coffee” to get to know the ideas in detail and then both parties can decide if they want to work together or not. This way we make sure that we create solid and lasting mentoring relationships.
Why is there no cost for this program?
Bridge for Billions and Visa have partnered with the goal of providing high quality entrepreneurship tools to African-American entrepreneurs. We believe that by providing this program at no cost, we are truly supporting them to unleash their potential and create their solution.
Can’t find the answer you are looking for?
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