IEEE Future Networks Entrepreneurs' Mentorship Program

The Challenge

Bridging vision and viability

First-time and early-stage technological entrepreneurs face a familiar pattern: compelling ideas, technical capability, but lacking the comprehensive support needed to translate vision into sustainable impact.

Traditional accelerator programs offer short bursts of intensive support, but building a viable tech venture - especially one addressing significant engineering challenges - requires sustained guidance across multiple dimensions:

Technical complexity. Hardware development, design upscaling, and regulatory compliance require specialized knowledge that most entrepreneurs are encountering for the first time.
Business model uncertainty. Supply chain management, market strategies, and scaling challenges are often outside the core expertise of technically-focused founders.
Social impact integration. Entrepreneurs want their solutions to create positive change, but struggle to balance profitability with societal transformation.
Resource access gaps. Early-stage ventures need connections to technical standards, publications, mentorship networks, and investment opportunities.
Geographic and economic barriers. There's a persistent perception that entrepreneurship is only for the wealthy or urban-based individuals.

The Response

Extended support for lasting impact

The IEEE FNEM program offers a fundamentally different approach: 1000 days of Learning, Action, Mentorship and Practice (LAMP) - a flexible journey where entrepreneurs shape their own path with sustained support.

Launched in 2024 with a pilot phase in India (2025) and planned expansion to East Africa and other regions, the program provides:

Tailored one-to-one mentorship. Each entrepreneur works with Lead and Secondary Mentors who bring deep experience across the specific challenges they're facing.
Comprehensive support across three categories: Technology Acceptance, Business Models, and Community Enablement.
Access to IEEE's institutional resources. Technical standards, publications, networking opportunities, and the legitimacy that comes from being part of a global organization.
Flexible learning approach. Entrepreneurs decide their own journey at the pace that matches their venture's reality.

Guiding Principles

What anchors the work

The program is guided by a clear mission and vision that shape how support is provided:

Mission: Prepare, educate, and invest in technological entrepreneurs to create compelling solutions that positively impact humanity.
Vision: Nurture, invest in, and accelerate impactful technological businesses addressing global and local engineering challenges.
Extended support over quick fixes. 1000 days allows for the deep work of building sustainable ventures.
Flexibility as strength. The program adapts to entrepreneur journeys rather than forcing them through a standardized curriculum.
Global standards, local context. The program leverages IEEE's global resources while attending deeply to regional needs.

Program Structure

The LAMP journey

The mentorship journey unfolds through five connected phases:

01 - One-to-one mentorship. Establishing the core mentorship relationship between entrepreneur and mentors, building trust and understanding.
02 - Assessment, review, continued learning. Regular check-ins to assess progress, adjust strategies, and identify new learning needs.
03 - Growth plan, pitching and acceleration. Developing comprehensive growth strategies and preparing for acceleration or investment opportunities.
04 - Regional recognition & networking. Connecting with regional entrepreneurial ecosystems and building networks.
05 - Global recognition and networking. Expanding reach to global networks and contributing to the broader IEEE community.

Our Role

How we're contributing

Sustainable Impact Foundation brings systems thinking and capacity building expertise to the IEEE FNEM program:

Program design support - Helping structure the flexible learning journey and mentorship framework
Local context integration - Ensuring regional needs and opportunities shape program delivery
Systems approach - Bringing frameworks for understanding how entrepreneurial ecosystems function and what interventions create lasting change
Partnership facilitation - Connecting the program with organizations and individuals who can enhance its impact

We're particularly interested in how this model of extended, flexible support might inform other capacity-building initiatives.

Related Focus Areas