GoRise Mentoring Programme: Nurturing Tech Entrepreneurs in Tunisia

Client: GIZ Tunisia

Year: 2022

Number of participants: 21

Programme Duration: 5 months

Executive Summary

The GoRise Mentoring Programme was a personalised programme designed to empower seed and early growth stage tech entrepreneurs in Tunisia. It provided a mentoring-centred approach, recognising the critical role mentors play in supporting founders at crucial junctures.

Challenge

• Seed and early growth stage businesses were particularly vulnerable, facing challenges in market knowledge, product-market fit, cash flow management, fundraising, and navigating a complex regulatory environment.
• Traditional training programmes weren’t yielding desired results, highlighting the need for a more human-centred approach.

Solution

The Human Edge designed a comprehensive programme offering each entrepreneur a personalised learning pathway. Key components included:

• Mentoring: Experienced business professionals with coaching experience provided ongoing guidance and support.
• Technical Training: Targeted sessions covered business planning, value proposition development, and sales strategies.
• Business Coaching: Addressed specific skill gaps and challenges identified by entrepreneurs.
• Network Building: Connected participants with a network of innovators and mentors.

A Mentoring-Centred Framework

The programme prioritised a strong mentoring experience through:

• Rigorous Mentor Selection: Selecting experienced professionals with coaching experience and The Human Edge mentor training.
• Mentee Preparation: Ensuring mentees understand how to maximise the programme and mentoring relationship.
• Strategic Matching: Pairing mentors and mentees for optimal support and development.
• Ongoing Support: Facilitating a structured support system to monitor progress and address challenges.

Impact

The GoRise Mentoring Programme yielded significant results for participating entrepreneurs:

• Economic Growth & Job Creation:
  • 162 new jobs created (vs 122 initially)
  • 2.35 jobs created per entrepreneur
  • 67% of jobs retained
  • 93% of entrepreneurs planned geographical expansion (22% already expanded)
• Business Growth & Sustainability:
  • 100% of respondents reported program benefits and would recommend it.
  • 67% increased revenue.
  • 100% improved product/service quality.
  • 28% secured new funding within 5 months.
  • 9374 new clients acquired.
• Personal Growth & Leadership Strengthening:
  • 93% of entrepreneurs felt more confident moving their business forward.
  • 93% found the entrepreneurial network beneficial.

“The sessions between Thabet and me were excellent… I guided him to revamp his pitch deck…”

– Fadi Naffah, GoRise Mentoring Programme Mentor.

Contact us to explore how mentoring-centred personalised learning programmes can enhance your work.