Mentorship programme FAQs

The application process

Do I need to have mentoring experience to be accepted onto the programme?

Not necessarily! The programme is aimed at those who have senior leadership experience - i.e. those who have worked within C-suite or senior roles and helped other leaders to succeed, as a line manager, mentor, board member or consultant.

Do I need to have startup and scaleup experience to be accepted onto the programme?

Ideally, you need to have worked in an entrepreneurial business, as our emphasis for the programme is on startups and scaleups. There is of course a demand for mentors of all business sizes, and many of the skills learnt will be transferable, but our focus and the ecosystem in which The Portfolio Collective mainly operates is focused on fast-paced younger companies. Operating experience within a nimble mid-sized business unit is also helpful.

If I’m not successful this time around, can I reapply in the future?

Reapplying for the programme will be dependent on the feedback you receive if your application is not successful this time around. For example, if we suggest you need further experience, and you have since increased your experience and can demonstrate this, then we’d be delighted for you to reapply to a future cohort.

If I can’t join this time around because of a date clash, when will you be next running the programme?

We're currently in the process of confirming dates for cohort 7. If you would like to register your interest in advance, please complete the register your interest form and we will contact you when booking re-opens.

Payments & cancellations

When do I have to pay for the programme?

If selected, you will be contacted with a further application form, contractual documentation and the payment details. The course fees will need to be paid before the course starts (or, if paying with Klarna, the first instalment will need to be paid before the course starts).

Do you offer staggered payments?

We do! Once you've been selected for the programme, we'll send you all the information you need to complete your payment. When doing so, our payment forms gives you the option to pay using Klarna, which allows you to split your purchases into 3 interest-free payments.*

*Klarna's Pay in 3 is an unregulated credit agreement. Borrowing more than you can afford or paying late may negatively impact your financial status and ability to obtain credit. 18+, UK residents only. Subject to status. Late fees may apply. Ts&Cs apply.

Once I’ve started, if I decide this isn’t for me, can I get a refund?

The financial commitment is made at the beginning of the programme, and we cannot offer refunds unless in exceptional circumstances. If you are unsure at any time, please do contact Fiona and Ben via [email protected] so we can discuss how best to support you through the programme.

Do you offer a discount to investors in The Portfolio Collective?

Sadly no, but we have seen several of our investors join us on the programme already, and we’d love to support more of our advocates to develop with this training.

Commitment to the programme

When are the modules going to be run?

See timetable here.

What other commitments will I be expected to make when joining the programme?

We’ve also outlined the commitments from you as a mentor, and from The Portfolio Collective, here in our terms and conditions. During the final stages of the application process, you will also be asked to sign a commitment statement to ensure all parties are in agreement.

Onboarding

Why do you use MBTI as an assessment tool?

The MBTI assessment is a global psychometric tool taken by around 2 million people every year. The tool helps leaders create understanding of differences. By developing a clearer sense of self-awareness and awareness of others, you’re able to better frame decisions, reduce miscommunication, and understand personal needs more effectively. And that's a great skill to have!

Do I need to know my MBTI type before signing up?

No, although it’s absolutely fine if you have done an MBTI assessment before. On completion of your application, you will be sent a link to complete an MBTI assessment and then you will be asked to book a 1:1 feedback session with our MBTI accredited practitioner before the course begins.

I have done my MBTI previously, do I need to do another?

Yes. We take the MBTI assessment a step further with the 1:1 feedback session with our MBTI accredited practitioner. This feedback session is uniquely aligned to the mentorship programme and creates a foundation and framework for the first module on emotional intelligence, and beyond.

How will we communicate with one another during the programme?

We will provide you with access to our Slack workspace, specifically for the Mentorship Programme. This will allow you to connect and communicate with the wider TPC team as well as your fellow mentor, as soon as your application is complete.

During the programme

What does the training consist of?

You can expect to spend eight hours per week over the seven modules, to cover up to two live 90 minute sessions (fixed times) per week, plus homework and hands-on mentoring practice (flexible with your schedule).

What if I have to miss a session?

100% attendance is expected to ensure you get the most from the programme, but we understand that there may be extenuating circumstances. Once enrolled, if you do have difficulties attending any sessions, please contact our Programme Lead, Stephanie, or our Programme Administrator, Charlotte ASAP.

Are the module sessions recorded?

We record the module sessions for internal training purposes and recordings can be made available to attendees who have let us know well in advance that they cannot make a session because of a prior commitment. However, we do still expect live attendance in most instances. Please note, we do not record any breakout room or networking sessions.

Who do I talk to if I get stuck?

Please contact Stephanie or Charlotte via the Slack workspace should you get stuck at any point – they and the team will be here to support you throughout the programme.

Pro-bono mentoring

How will I be matched to mentees during the programme?

Once selected, and having completed your application, we will then match you with an appropriate mentee based on industry experience, functional skills, personal style and any other factors that may matter to them.

What kind of mentees will I get the chance to work with?

We have open application processes for mentees to access pro-bono mentoring and in the last cohort we saw applications from companies including Oxwash, Grantify, Sixley, Barefoot Learning, Turner Capital Group and more. The matching process is based on your industry experience, functional skills, personal style and any other factors that may matter to them.

How many hours are expected to be given pro-bono?

A minimum of 4 hours mentoring over the course of the programme, as agreed with your mentee.

What happens if a mentee drops out?

The mentees have agreed to advise us of any changes required, and we will reassign you to another mentee if this occurs.

I’d like to be a mentee not a mentor - how can I get involved?

We have options for pro-bono mentoring (minimum of four hours over four weeks specific to the cohort timetable), and paid matched mentoring (for an agreed period and rate during the matching process). You can find out more about both options by clicking on the relevant link above.

Accreditation

What is involved with passing the accreditation?

There are five pillars to the accreditation process:

Each module has an assignment which must be passed to continue to the next part of the programme
Observed pro-bono mentoring of a mentee, plus feedback from the mentee
Presentation of a written case study
360 feedback from your peers, mentee and the TPC team
Full participation in the programme

Passing is contingent on all of the above being met, which is further detailed in the programme Terms & Conditions.

What will the case study presentation consist of, and when will I need to give it?

The written case study and presentation is your final assessment on the programme. The presentation will last 10 minutes, with a further 10 minutes of feedback and will take place in the last week of the course. The expectations of this assignment will be explained further before you are introduced to your mentee.

Is the accreditation publicly certified?

Not yet, but we are working to ensure that this will be in the future.