Innovation Mentoring Teams

Saint Louis University’s Innovation Mentoring Teams provide free help to entrepreneurs.  We connect people and resources to foster business growth in the St. Louis region.

Based on the Venture Mentoring Service created by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the SLU Innovation Mentoring Teams (IMT) program provides each local startup and early-stage venture client with support from at least two mentors. A pool of more than 60 volunteer mentors with expertise across multiple fields and industries provide clients with feedback from multiple perspectives to strengthen new ventures and accelerate growth.

IMT traces it history to 2007 when Gateway Venture Mentoring Service (GVMS) was established.  In 2019, SLU assumed the operations GVMS and re-branded it as Innovation Mentoring Teams. Since 2007, IMT (formerly GVMS) has assisted more than 800 entrepreneurs and mentored more than 150 ventures, about half of which were founded by women or individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.

How Innovation Mentoring Teams Work

IMT works in coordination with the SLUStart I-Corps program and requires all prospective clients to first participate in SLUStart I-Corps before receiving services from IMT. Our mentors have been down the road you’re traveling.  They listen to your questions and provide constructive feedback based on their experiences. Beyond your core mentor team, we also offer specialized mentors experienced in legal, accounting, banking, and marketing. We may also refer you to other local support organizations that have specialized capabilities better suited to servicing a specific need.

For more information, please contact us at:
innovation_mentoring@slu.edu