Venture Mentoring Service

VMS: A Free Program With An Invaluable Impact

The SCI Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) is based on the acclaimed model created at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. VMS is tailored specifically to communities looking to bolster entrepreneurship and is making a big impact in Pensacola. Our program offers ongoing and confidential team mentoring services to selected entrepreneurs across our community. By pairing entrepreneurs with 3-5 mentors, their ventures are exposed to a variety of very skilled and difference-making expertise and advice. This invaluable program is offered to entrepreneurs free of charge.

Why do we do this?

92% of small business owners with a mentor say it directly impacts the growth of their business
70% of mentored businesses survive five years or longer (that’s TWICE the rate of business owners who don’t receive any mentoring
61% of small business owners mentor others, and 58% mentor young entrepreneurs

Ventures from any industry are welcome to apply. The only eligibility requirement for potential new mentees is that their business is currently earning revenue.

See Upcoming Events

Meet the Mentors

Help us bring this invaluable free program to more local entrepreneurs.

Donate

If you would like to learn about opportunities to sponsor the VMS program, email us at info@studeri.org.

Watch these videos to see why VMS is so impactful!

VMS Success Story: Dr. Justine Roper

Native Cafe: SCI VMS Success Story

The Mentors

SCI’s VMS program is powered by our mentors. They include many of the strongest leaders, academics, entrepreneurs, investors and visionaries from across the Gulf Coast. Our mentor panel has a diverse set of backgrounds and experience. Among these over 40 highly-skilled mentors, there is over 420 years of business ownership and 455 years as C-suite executives. These individuals are motivated by the opportunity to help the entrepreneurs and businesses in our community.

Meet the Mentors

The Businesses

These companies are paired with 3-5 highly experienced mentors to receive a variety of skilled expertise and advice to help grow their businesses, build revenue and create jobs in the greater Pensacola area.