How We Teach
The Berkeley Method of Mentoring
The Berkeley Method of Mentoring (BMoM) is an extension of the award-winning Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship (BMoE), developed at the Sutardja Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (SCET) at UC Berkeley. The BMoM builds on foundational BMoE concepts to go beyond individual founders and teams to elevate entire entrepreneurial ecosystems.
The BMoM is both a methodology for maximizing the impact of mentoring in entrepreneurship and innovation settings, and a system for training and upskilling mentors and coaches to create and sustain the best outcomes for all stakeholders.
Why Does Mentoring Need a Method?
There is currently a “hole” in the fabric of innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) education and training. Around the world, almost all startup incubators, accelerators, and I&E programs include some element of “mentoring,” based on the valid expectation and hope that less experienced innovators can benefit from interacting with more experienced practitioners. But few of these programs pause to ask what really makes mentoring effective, and why. They also typically do not implement systems designed to increase positive impact. Frequently their systems focus only on matching and managing meetings – making sure mentor-to-mentee communication occurs – without structuring or setting up those interactions to increase the likelihood of success for all parties.
Focusing on its mission to empower innovators to positively impact the world, SCET delivers the BMoM to fill this gap identified in the realm of I&E education and training, to scale SCET’s own positive impact on this world.
Pillars of the Berkeley Method
The award-winning Berkeley Method employs inductive learning methods to provide students with the critical thinking and observational skills necessary for them to succeed at the next step in their entrepreneurial journey.
Mindsets
Mental models and expectations for mentors and mentees to adopt for productive, impactful relationships.
Framework
Mentoring modes and session structures designed to maximize outcomes across different mentoring contexts.
Network
Guidance on whom to bring into the mentoring process, when, and how — building richer innovation ecosystems.
Ready to Elevate Your Mentoring Practice?
We provide professional education and development for startup mentors and coaches.
Contact Us
Mark Searle
Lecturer & Head of Mentoring Excellence, SCET
msearle@berkeley.edu