Impact for scaleups
180
Experienced mentors
2,900
Businesses ventures assisted
3,600
Participant entrepreneurs
US$3.8b
In external finance raised by participants of VMS
325+
Businesses launched
100
Organisations around the world trained to launch their own version of VMW
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Venture Mentoring Service has further grown its successful programme to help students, alumni and staff turn their enterprising ideas into businesses.
VMS matches members of the MIT community with experienced volunteer mentors who begin the programme by building a detailed picture of the business and identifying critical action areas. As well as team mentoring sessions entrepreneurs can arrange one-on-one meetings and book 30-minute sessions to receive practical advice on topics such as legal, intellectual property, human resources and product development.
Participants are also given the opportunity to showcase their businesses to potential investors at a VMS Demo Day while the Ventureships Club connects students with early-stage companies to work on real-life business issues such as market analysis, financial forecast, business development and marketing.
During Covid-19 activities including webinars were carried out remotely with physical operations expected to start in January 2021. A specific page on Covid-19 resources and information to support entrepreneurs was launched on the website.