Get Involved
Community Outreach
As part of our job as entrepreneurial ecosystem builders, we’re always available for facilitation opportunities and speaking engagements about entrepreneurship. By request, an SCCF staff member can present on entrepreneur resources and topics, as well as facilitate conversations about reducing barriers in the ecosystem to help businesses thrive.
For more information, or to request a presentation speaker, please fill out our general interest form.
Become a Mentor
Mentors are a critical aspect of any thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. They support and guide entrepreneurs by sharing their experience, knowledge, network, and best practices. Stories of their success and failure can be great sources of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs. Mentors have the ability to steer entrepreneurs toward success by listening, challenging, and supporting them throughout the process. They provide ‘realistic optimism’ for the mentee when it comes to addressing the mentee’s challenges, and can reveal blind spots the entrepreneur may have about their idea or business. It can truly be a life-changing relationship!
Although the word “mentor” is a verb, it’s also a noun. It’s a reciprocal title that is given by the mentee, once a relationship of trust and mutual respect has developed. You truly become a mentor when someone refers to you as, “My mentor” - a wonderful and powerful gift!
WHO should mentor
SCCF is looking for mentors from all backgrounds, with varying experiences and perspectives. If you are interested in providing a Shenandoah Valley entrepreneur with your mentorship, please fill out the mentor interest form.
HOW to mentor
Mentors with SCCF interact with entrepreneurs and our greater ecosystem in many different ways:
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One-on-one mentorship with members of our S2V accelerator
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Workshop leaders for Business Bootcamp and other training sessions
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Panelists for special events or the Entrepreneurship Summit
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Or to be called on as subject matter experts