Martha’s Vineyard Venture Mentors (MVVM) will launch the first of six monthly mentoring meetings on Tuesday, May 23, from 6 to 8 pm at the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. According to a press release, organizers are recruiting and vetting up to 10 entrepreneurs, each of whom commits to attending and participating in the six mentoring meetings. At each mentoring meeting, the entrepreneurs will have a chance to make a pitch for what they want help with that night. Once all the pitches have been made, small breakout sessions will commence. For seasoned business people, this will be a fun and relaxed way to give back to new, up-and-coming Vineyard-based businesses; a place where their experience, insights, and feedback will be appreciated and put to good use. Mentors are encouraged to come to as many meetings as they like, to dress comfortably, and have fun.
Mentoring meetings are held on Tuesdays, and include the following dates: May 23, June 20, July 18, August 22, Sept. 19, and Oct. 24. Refreshments will be served, and there is no cost to attend and participate.
MVVM is the Vineyard’s first regularly scheduled series of structured mentoring meetings where two critical needs are met: Entrepreneurs can build the networks and skill sets that will help them form a foundation for their startup; and business people with a lifetime of experience can mentor easily and enjoyably.
This idea grew out of last year’s Blue Economy discussions — how to ensure that the Island community has a healthy, vibrant economy. The first step was developing Perfect Pitch MV, a successful “Shark Tank”-like pitch contest. Held in February, Perfect Pitch MV engaged volunteers and entrepreneurs, and included prize money and lots of fun.
Since February, Perfect Pitch MV organizers, including the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, Martha’s Vineyard Donor’s Collaborative, Seidman Investment Portfolios, and Cape and Islands SCORE, have been working behind the scenes to develop MVVM as a way to support new, healthy business growth on the Vineyard. MVVM is modeled after successful programs around the commonwealth, with the goal of bringing Island entrepreneurs together with seasoned business people to grow great ideas into healthy, vibrant businesses on the Vineyard.
Interested entrepreneurs and mentors can contact Nancy Gardella at the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce at 508-693-0085, ext.16, or via email at nancy@mvy.com.