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Request Mentorship

Why Work With a Mentor?

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Building in climate is hard - but you don’t have to do it alone.
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Our mentors are seasoned operators, investors, scientists, and founders who volunteer their time to help you succeed. Whether you're pre-seed or post-revenue, you can access high-quality, no-strings-attached guidance.
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Benefits of mentorship:
  • Talk through product, fundraising, hiring, or go-to-market decisions
  • Get unfiltered feedback and ideas from someone outside your team
  • Build confidence and accountability through honest conversations
  • Grow your network with someone who wants to help you win

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How It Works
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1. Apply in 5 minutes
Fill out a short form with key details about your startup and what you're looking for help with.
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2. We review your request
Our team will review your application and match you with a mentor who fits your needs. This usually takes 3–5 working days.
 
3. You connect with a mentor
Once matched, you’ll be introduced over email to arrange your first call. Most mentorships start with a 30-minute session.

Note: This is not an accelerator or fund. It's free and non-transactional - just great people helping each other.
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If you have any queries, email us at hello@hourglassimpact.com
  • What is my role as a mentor?
    A mentor at Hourglass Impact serves as a trusted advisor, offering guidance rather than direct solutions. Your role includes: Helping mentees identify challenges and opportunities. Providing industry insights and strategic advice. Encouraging independent problem-solving. Sharing relevant networks and resources. Supporting personal and professional growth. Key Qualities of an Effective Mentor Empathy – Understand and support mentees’ challenges. Active Listening – Give full attention and ask thoughtful questions. Honesty – Provide constructive feedback and clear advice. Commitment – Allocate time consistently for mentoring sessions. Openness – Be willing to learn from mentees as well.
  • How is the mentor-mentee relationship structured?
    A successful mentorship typically follows these stages: Introduction & Goal Setting – Discuss expectations, define objectives, and establish a mentorship cadence. Exploration & Learning – Delve into challenges, brainstorm solutions, and exchange insights. Implementation & Feedback – Mentees apply learnings while mentors provide ongoing feedback. Reflection & Growth – Evaluate progress, celebrate achievements, and discuss next steps.
  • How does the mentorship process work?
    Matching Process: Currently, mentors are paired with mentees manually by us, based on expertise, interests, and mentorship goals. However, we will shortly be launching a mentor directory on our website allowing startups to reach out to mentors directly if they believe you have the appropriate expertise to help. First Meeting: Establish objectives, preferred communication methods, and frequency of meetings. Ongoing Sessions: Mentors and mentees schedule regular check-ins, typically every 2-4 weeks. Feedback Loop: Both parties are encouraged to provide feedback to improve the mentorship experience. Completion & Continuation: After an initial period (e.g., 3-6 months), mentors and mentees can choose to continue or conclude the relationship.
  • How much time should I commit to mentoring?
    We recommend a minimum of 1-2 hours per month, split into 30-minute calls per session. However, as this is a volunteering role and we understand that both life and career can get in the way sometimes, this is flexible and based on your availability. Sometimes you might have more free time and organise more calls, whereas other times you may be completely unavailable and will need to communicate this to any mentorship request you receive.
  • Can I mentor multiple mentees?
    Yes, depending on your capacity and interests.
  • What if the mentor-mentee match isn’t working?
    If either party feels the match isn’t productive, we encourage open communication and, if needed, reassignment.
  • Are mentorship sessions in person or virtual?
    Most mentorship interactions are virtual, but in-person meetings can be arranged if mutually convenient.

Frequently Asked Questions​

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