Startup Canada Launches National Challenge to Mentor 10,000 Canadian Entrepreneurs

Startup Canada is launching a national initiative to mentor 10,000 enterprising Canadians over the course of Global Entrepreneurship Week in November.

“We’ve heard from entrepreneurs of all ages, startup stages and business sectors from coast to coast—mentorship is an essential ingredient for building a more collaborative and sustainable entrepreneurial nation,” said Victoria Lennox, cofounder of Startup Canada.

“We’re issuing this challenge to the nation’s entrepreneur and enterprise support communities in the hopes it will spark long-term mentorship programs at local levels,” she continued. “Mentorship’s transfer of knowledge and ideas is valuable for everyone involved and contributes to the success of future startups.”

Mentorship is especially key for young entrepreneurs. The Canadian Youth Business Foundation, the official host of GEW Canada 2012, has seen the impact mentorship can have on the next generation of Canadian startups.

“Mentoring is one of the core components of the Canadian Youth Business Foundation program and we have seen that a strong mentoring relationship is one of the key factors for the success of a small business,” said Tessa Mintz, VP, Volunteers and Programs with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. “Mentors provide tangible, experienced based business advice, support and encouragement to help entrepreneurs through the realities of starting and sustaining a business. We invite all interested and inspired challenge participants to become CYBF mentors and to continue their support of Canada’s entrepreneurs.”

Ultimately, entrepreneurs of any age can benefit from mentorship, Startup Canada believes.

“Programs like the Canadian Mentorship Challenge can help us make Canada stronger as a nation,” said Cindy Gordon, Former National Chair, CATA Women in Technology. “For example, women play a major role in developing a stronger Canadian innovation economy. CATA is a strong advocate for supporting women entrepreneurs and I see this Challenge as an opportunity to reach and inspire more women to act on their ideas and launch startups of their own.”

Check out the details on the Canadian Mentorship Challenge’s official page.