The IDEA Peer Mentoring programme will enable women entrepreneurs at various stages to develop their networks, receive expert advice, and form cohorts to provide additional support.Β
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What is the IDEA Peer Mentoring Programme?
The IDEA Peer mentoring programme will enable women entrepreneurs at various stages to develop their networks, receive expert advice, and form cohorts to provide additional support. The programme will be structured with two separate tiers: Cohort Facilitators (10) and cohort participants (30). Each Facilitator will receive training in Action Learning Sets (ALS) by a qualified instructor over the course of the first 3 months ofΒ the programme and have access to a network of mentors and advisors within theΒ IDEA NetworkΒ to support their own venture development.Β
The cohorts will be based on sector or theme and will depend on the interest and experience of the Cohort Facilitators. They will also be supported by a member of the IDEA Implementation group (where appropriate) and have access to resources within the University to support their groups. Β
Who is eligible for the IDEA Peer Mentoring Programme?
To be eligible to participate in the IDEA Peer Mentoring Programme, you must be a current member of the University of Oxford (student or staff member)Β or you should be an entrepreneur based within Oxfordshire. The Programme is open to new or experienced entrepreneurs.Β
What are the available roles in the IDEA Peer Mentoring Programme?
We are opening an Expression of Interest form for the role ofΒ Peer Mentor Cohort Facilitator. We will be begin recruiting for Peer Mentor participants in November 2021.
Peer Mentor Cohort Facilitators will be chosen through a competitive application process, and derived from members of the University (students, staff, alumni) or those based in the Oxfordshire ecosystem. They must commit to the full programme (10 months) to be eligible and agree to work with the IDEA team to continually monitor and evaluate the programme. Once they have completed their training, they will then work in pairs to support a near-peer group of 5-6 less experienced entrepreneurs, using ALS and monthly meetings to monitor progress.Β
To apply for the role of Peer Mentor Cohort Facilitator, you should be:Β
- An experienced entrepreneur, either currently running their own business, or previouslyΒ
- Able to commit to the full programme (time and effort).
- A current member of the University or based in Oxfordshire.
What is the timeframeΒ for the IDEA Peer Mentoring Programme?
The programme will begin in late September 2021 with an application process and selection of Cohort Facilitators. ALS training for the Cohort Facilitators will begin in November 2021 and conclude in January 2022. Applications for cohort participants will begin in November 2021, with the first induction meeting with all the cohort facilitators and participants in late January/early February 2022. Throughout the duration of the programme, cohorts will meet at least monthly until June 2022, with a wrap-up and evaluation meeting for all at the end of June 2022.Β
Enterprising Oxford is a University of Oxford initiative to help connect people to the entrepreneurship resources they need, and to promote entrepreneurship across Oxfordshire.
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