MIT Venture Mentoring Service

MIT VMS supports innovation and entrepreneurial activity throughout the MIT community by matching prospective and experienced entrepreneurs with skilled volunteer mentors. We use a team mentoring approach with groups of 3 to 4 mentors sitting with the entrepreneur(s) in sessions that provide practical, day-to-day professional advice and coaching. VMS mentors are selected for their experience in areas relevant to the needs of new entrepreneurs and for their enthusiasm for the program.

VMS assistance is given across a broad range of business activity, including product development, marketing, intellectual property law, finance, human resources, and founders issues. VMS services are offered without charge to MIT students, alumni, faculty and staff in the Boston area. VMS complements and cooperates with the many MIT centers and programs promoting innovations and entrepreneurship.

MIT VMS Model 

• Unique Team Mentoring methodology
• Strict code of ethics to assure objective, conflict-free and confidential advice
• Best practices for screening, training and retaining a community of highly qualified and committed volunteer mentors
• Focus on developing the entrepreneur as well as their venture
• Practical, actionable advice
• Formal operational processes 

MIT VMS Quick Facts

• VMS is a free service
• Exclusively for the MIT community
• Reports to the Provost
• Nearly 200 experienced mentors
• Ventures assisted: > 3,100
• Participants mentored: > 4,400
• Funding (investments + grants) raised by VMS ventures: > $9.8 billion
• All communications are confidential