YouThink Innovation Lab program for Mentors

days to apply

YouThink
Innovation Lab

Fueling the Future of Youth-Led Enterprises

Join our YouThink Innovation Lab as a mentor and support entrepreneurs on their path to success! Share your knowledge, guidance, and experience to transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses that will make our communities more inclusive and vibrant places.

Free program

Apply before:

Days

Hours

Minutes

Applications open until 25 January 2025

Online

South Africa

5 months

Make an impact on the small business community

Support a project that excites you

Meet entrepreneurs and their projects, then support the project that sparks your interest.

Learn on the go, alongside entrepreneurs

We believe in active learning! We'll provide you with a clear mentoring structure and resources explained in a simple way.

Get the latest business tools

As a mentor, we will equip you with the same top-notch entrepreneurship tools we offer to participants.

Professional growth

Enhance your leadership and coaching skills through active listening and effective communication.

A powerful and structured mentoring program

Guidance and flexibility

You will be able to mentor from anywhere in the world thanks to the Bridge for Billions digital platform. Our goal is to make mentoring flexible and impactful, breaking down barriers of distance and schedules.

Make a real impact

Entrepreneurship can be lonely. Support and guide entrepreneurs as they turn their business ideas into reality, driving positive change in your local community.

Build connections

Connect with other companies, entrepreneurs and industry mentors, expanding your professional and personal network.

About the YouThink Innovation Lab

Small businesses are the heartbeat of South Africa, driving job creation, economic growth, and better opportunities for communities. At YouThink Innovation Lab, we empower youth-led small businesses to thrive and strengthen the ecosystems that support them.

As a mentor, you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of these businesses. With access to proven entrepreneurship methodologies and tools, you’ll guide emerging entrepreneurs, helping them refine their ideas and achieve growth. Along the way, you’ll connect with fellow mentors and entrepreneurs, building meaningful relationships that spark innovation and impact.

We provide the framework—you bring the human touch. Join us to inspire the next generation of bold, innovative entrepreneurs

Created by

Interested in Mentoring? You are the right fit if you...

You are passionate about entrepreneurship and helping entrepreneurs succeed.
You have 5 years professional experience in a relevant field, background or interest in business, innovation, finance and/or either in a related business or activities or have recently launched your own venture.
You are looking to develop your entrepreneurial mentoring skills on topics such as competitive analysis, business model creation, financial projections, marketing plan, etc.
You are looking to have a tangible impact on job creation and economic development in South Africa as well as support entrepreneurs´ growth.
Residing in South Africa or have a good understanding of the Southern Africa landscape
Reliable internet connection and access to a computer/laptop that you can use regularly.
Availability to commit for the whole duration of the program. Approximately 2 hours per week over 5 months (this includes the time you will need to dedicate to meet with your mentee, review their work on the platform, and attend the different online sessions).

Curious about joining us? Our Info Sessions have the answers.

Register to learn more about this program, meet our staff and ask us questions.

How to apply to the program?

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Create your profile

1

Start by clicking on the “Apply now!” button.

Fill in your personal information to set up an account on our platform.

Remember your email and password for future access.

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2 Complete all sections

Work at your own pace through all sections of the application.

Once completed, all the checkmarks at the top will turn blue, indicating that you’re ready to submit.

Note: An asterisk “*” next to the question indicates that the field is required.

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Submit your application and await further news

3

We recommend that you review your application in detail one last time. If you’re good to go, click “Submit” in the lower right corner.

Make sure to submit your application by 25 January.

Our team will be in touch with a notification about the status of your application.

Apply before:

Days

Hours

Minutes

Submit your application by 25 January , 2025

Important dates

Applications

Until 25 January

Start by making a profile on our platform and telling us more about you and your project. After you send in your application, we'll look through all the applicants who are interested in joining program.

Participant announcement

3 February

We'll carefully review all applications to choose 35 participants for this edition. If selected, your next step will be to accept your spot in the program!

Welcome session

3 February

Join us for a welcome session to dive into the details program! We'll introduce you to the program's schedule, your role, and the tools you'll use to develop your business. Don't miss out on this chance to learn more about what lies ahead.

Entrepreneurship program

From February to July

The online incubation experience begins! From here you'll dive into weekly mentoring sessions, use the practical tools in our digital platform, and follow our entrepreneurship step-by-step plan. You will have 5 months to complete all the modules and develop your business plan.

Frequently asked questions from our mentors

How much time should I dedicate to the program as a mentor?

During the 5 months of the program, you will have to meet once a week with your entrepreneur for 1-hour to check-in on their progress, validate their work, and discuss next steps. On top of that, we estimate that these meetings take at least 30 minutes of for prep work and reviewing their progress on the platform.

Is there financial compensation for mentoring?

Although we do not offer monetary compensation, you will receive something invaluable: the satisfaction of making a real difference in the lives of entrepreneurs and their communities. Additionally, in recognition of your dedication and contribution, we will award you a Mentoring Certificate upon completion of the program. This certificate symbolizes not only your generosity and commitment, but also the positive impact you have made as a mentor and the skills you’ve gained through this process.

What gadgets do I need for the program?

For the program, we recommend you use a computer with Chrome, Safari, or Firefox. But you can also use your phone.

Make sure your internet is stable for weekly activities and video calls with your entrepreneur.

Can I mentor more than one project?

Absolutely. But we encourage you to thoughtfully consider your availability and commitments. It’s important not to overextend yourself or commit to more than you can handle time-wise and energy-wise.

How are mentors and entrepreneurs matched?

To facilitate the process of connecting mentors and entrepreneurs, we have created the “matching” process.

During this time, you will have the opportunity to learn about the different projects and invite them to a “Virtual Coffee” to learn about their ideas in detail, and then both parties can decide if they want to work together. Thus, we ensure that we create solid, lasting mentoring relationships based on mutual interest.

Contact Us

Meet Ngata, Program Manager at Bridge for Billions.
You can send her an email with any questions you have about the program.

She’ll be happy to hear from you!

This program has been built by

For more information, please visit our website