What does it mean?
A mentor is someone who has been through similar situations, founding a company, running a team or working in a particular sector, and shares that experience with a less experienced founder. This kind of support is called mentoring or mentorship.
How does it work?
A mentor meets the founder regularly, for example every two weeks or once a month. They do not run the business or make decisions for it. They ask hard questions, point out common mistakes and introduce people who might help. Many mentors volunteer, or work within incubator and accelerator programmes.
How is it different from a consultant or a trainer?
A consultant is usually paid to solve a defined problem in a set time, such as drafting a contract or a marketing plan. A trainer teaches a skill to a group in a workshop. A mentor's relationship is longer and more personal, and cares about the founder's growth as well as the business. It works best when both sides agree at the start on its aim, how long it will last and how often they will meet.
In the Syrian context
At the launch evening of the EntreStations programme (September 2026), participants said the real problem is that founders cannot easily reach the advisers and mentors who could help them, and that projects need follow-up after training and mentors who stay with them.
AoSEn's network brings together entrepreneurs, companies, mentors and investors, and it refers founders to practitioners in marketing, sales and management from a network of about 25 trainers and speakers, according to its programmes and referral pages.
Example
The founder of an online perfume shop in Damascus meets monthly with a mentor who ran a distribution company for ten years. In one session she asks what shipping costs him per order, and he finds he loses money on small orders, so he sets a minimum order value.
Common questions
What is the difference between a mentor and a consultant?
A consultant usually works for a fee on a specific task. A mentor supports the founder over a longer period, focuses on helping them think and decide, and is often unpaid.
How do I find a mentor for my startup?
Through incubators and support organisations, at events and networking sessions, or by asking someone whose experience you respect. A clear request, such as a monthly meeting for three months on one topic, makes a yes more likely.
Does a mentor take equity?
Usually not. If the role grows into a large, ongoing commitment, the founder may offer a formal adviser role with a small stake, which should be set out in a clear written agreement.