Maine Mentor Network

A dedicated team of over 300 volunteer industry experts at your service.

The Maine Mentor Network, originally developed by the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs (MCE), connects entrepreneurs with experienced business leaders who can offer practical, real-world guidance.

Entrepreneurs often need more than workshops and educational programs to grow a business. They also need access to people who have navigated similar challenges and built deep networks across industries. The Maine Mentor Network helps meet that need by connecting high-potential entrepreneurs with seasoned volunteer mentors whose experience, industry knowledge, and professional connections can support business growth.

Through the network, entrepreneurs gain access to professionals with broad expertise and connections in Maine and beyond, providing an additional source of perspective, advice, and support as they grow and scale.

How the Maine Mentor Network (MMN) Supports Entrepreneurs

Mentor Meet-Ups

MMN mentors meet regularly with members who participate in our entrepreneur programs like Top Gun, Cultivator, MarketShare & SmartLaunch. 

One-on-One Mentoring

Maine entrepreneurs can also schedule one-hour-long, one-on-one meetings with MMN mentors during occasional office hours.

Specialized Assistance

MMN mentors also act as providers of specialized assistance on an as-needed basis to program enrollees and workshop attendants.

Pitch Training

MMN mentors also act as providers of specialized assistance on an as-needed basis to program enrollees and workshop attendants.

Mentor Roles

Lead Mentor

One-on-One relationship guiding entrepreneur and assisting in identifying needs

Session Mentor

Attends and assists entrepreneurs in one or more learning sessions

Team Mentor

Part of mentoring team that works with entrepreneur in specific area of expertise

Coffee Mentor

Meets with Entrepreneurs once or twice to discuss a single topic or challenge

Assessment Mentor

Works with companies in the Cultivator program to assess opportunities for growth

FAQs

Business Professionals who are interested in sharing their experience, who want to see the Maine Entrepreneurial Community grow and succeed, who are ready to “give back and pay it forward” and who would want to network with other professionals.

The Maine Mentor Network provides a variety of ways to participate. With a focus on Top Gun and Cultivator there are opportunities for short-term or long-term assignments. Mentors can choose how much time they are willing to commit, target the type of companies they can best serve, and identify a meeting format that will maximize their impact.

MMN mentors receive the satisfaction of helping build Maine’s entrepreneurial community while experiencing exposure to fresh talent, technologies, energy, and ideas, as well as opportunities to expand their own business networks during bi-monthly, mentor-only events.

We have open applications. Apply anytime! (Mentorship opportunity begins when your application is accepted)

Mentor Testimonials

The entrepreneurs always seem to appreciate the advice provided by mentors, and we all benefit from learning about new business ideas and nurturing their growth right here in Maine.  Most of all, it’s fun – people respect and appreciate one another and natural relationships develop that extend well beyond the program.”‍

– Brian Walker, Trailguide Consulting, Maine Angels

Over the past 4 years I have had the privilege of being a mentor Top Gun, Cultivator and MarketShare programs.  It is very rewarding to work with emerging Maine companies and contribute to their success.”

– Kim Koehler

Being an mentor has been a rich experience. It has been an opportunity to ‘give back’ or share some of my experience and has also opened my eyes to the tremendous community of creative entrepreneurs in Maine. I have learned much in this mutually beneficial relationship and the staff as well as other mentors are very welcoming.”

– John Shorb, The Delphi Group

I had the pleasure of mentoring Erica Shmitz, the founder of My Body Model, and I had so much fun! Erica and I met weekly to check in on her progress throughout the Top Gun program and we always had plenty to talk about. It was rewarding both ways!”

– Becky McKinnell, iBEC Creative

Being a first-year TopGun mentor was even more rewarding than I thought it would be. The program content is well executed, even if the participants sometimes feel as if they are drinking out of a fire hose! The mentor-to-mentee matches really connect and the relationships last. As someone who has been in industry for over 30 years, it is exciting to be part of the next wave of innovation in Maine!”

– Karla Doremus-Tranfield, KDT Business Strategies

Being a mentor has allowed me to share some of what I’ve learned in decades of consulting with new Maine entrepreneurs, a win-win-win for Maine’s economy, new business creators, and me! Getting to know other mentors is another benefit of being a part of this great organization.”

– Dana Morris Jones, The Delphi Group

Questions?

For questions about the Maine Mentor Network or application process, please contact mainecenter@maine.edu.