Northern Tech Mentorship Program
In partnership with
Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey. Choosing to build your business in our Northern Territories doesn’t make it any easier.
Let us connect you with knowledgeable tech mentors from across Canada to help you grow your business and thrive in today’s fast-moving digital landscape.
450+
Active mentors
Why Mentors Matter
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You can't see your blind spots
Confirmation bias is real, and so is imposter syndrome. Mentors help you challenge your assumptions and consider possibilities you might otherwise overlook.
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Accountability
You’re your own boss, but staying motivated and pushing yourself outside your comfort zone isn’t always easy. When you articulate your goals and have someone who challenges your limits, it leads to real, tangible growth for your business.
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Personalized to your needs
Workshops, bootcamps, and programs are helpful, but sometimes a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for your unique context. Dedicated 1:1 advice helps bridge that gap.
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Your net-worth is your net-work
Build relationships with people who can help elevate you as a leader and open new opportunities for your business.
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Don't reinvent every wheel
Innovation runs in every entrepreneur’s blood. If you’re already doing something different or better with your product or service, you don’t need to reinvent every other part of your business. Start with what’s tried and tested, then iterate and improve from there. Mentors who know what works can help you accelerate that process.
How it works
This program is designed to be open-ended and flexible. It’s your business, you drive the bus, don’t expect us or your mentors to tell you what to do.
Request a mentor
Fill out some basic information about your business, your goals, challenges, and your mentorship needs.
Receive matches
We will try our best to find a suitable expert(s) to match you with based on your needs.
Evaluate Fit
Have an introductory call with any mentor you’d like to formalize a relationship with. Use this opportunity both for you and them to evaluate fit, not only in necessary skills/experience, but also in value alignment and your ethos towards how you do business.
Agree on engagement
To make accessible a wider network of experts + support entrepreneurs in rural communities, all engagements will be virtual unless otherwise agreed upon. Decide and get mutual agreement on:
- How frequently you’d like to meet?
- How long will each meeting be?
- Agenda for the sessions? (e.g. what you’ve tried/learned/want to celebrate since the last meeting, current/upcoming challenges/opportunities, action items).
- When it should end? By duration e.g. 3 months/6 months, after X number of meetings, or after you’ve achieved the particular goal you sought support with.
- And respectfully – if compensation should be involved.
End and Evaluate
What’s next? Did you receive meaningful support? Do you want to renew for another X months/sessions? Do you need another mentor to take you to the next level?
Eligibility & FAQs
For profit, non-profit, and co-op organizations registered in Yukon.
No, as long as you have a registered business, sole proprietorships or partnerships are welcomed too!
No, any and everyone that’s looking for support is welcome to apply. As long as you’ve registered your business, even if you’re still at the ideation/prototyping stage, you’re welcome to seek out a mentor.
No, this matching opportunity is currently freely available. However, it will be up to you to negotiate with the potential mentor and determine if compensation is necessary, and if so, what the appropriate amount will be.
If a mentor is volunteering to support you pro bono. Respect their time:
- Notify in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule a session.
- Come prepared with clear questions, uncertainties, or asks.
- Walk away with clear action items and actually execute.
- There are no dumb questions, but never ask the same question twice. Doing so can suggest that you weren’t paying attention, didn’t take action, or don’t respect the advice given. Not every suggestion needs to be implemented, and mentors won’t always have the perfect answer, but asking the same question without providing context or sharing what you’ve tried, while expecting a different response, is unrealistic.
No, every business benefits from some form of technology. If you need help with implementing automation, exploring AI, implement online ordering for your restaurant, or even digitize your client database, there should be someone in our network that can help.
Code of Conduct
- Committed to professional development and growth
- Willing to invest time in regular mentoring sessions
- Open to feedback and constructive criticism
- Passionate about learning from experienced professionals
- Able to communicate clearly about your goals and challenges
- Willingness to be transparent and vulnerable
Ready to Start Your Mentorship Journey?
Accelerated your business through meaningful mentorship relationships.
Take the first step today.
