PhD Synopsis - An Analytical Study of the Role of Mentorship in Startups

Abstract

Startups are increasingly being seen as drivers of innovation, technological advancements, and employment creation. In recent times, India has seen a significant surge in entrepreneurship with various initiatives by the government under the “Startup India” initiative, greater availability of venture capital, and the creation of startup incubators and accelerators. While this is a significant achievement, startup failure rates remain extremely high, especially in the early stages of venture creation. Of all the various factors that impact startup creation, mentorship has increasingly been seen as a significant influence on startup creation as entrepreneurs seek mentorship through various stages of uncertainty. Mentors are seen as providing practical advice that comes with experience, professional networks, and encouragement through difficult phases of venture creation. The study seeks to understand how mentorship impacts startup creation through a study of the Pune startup ecosystem through a qualitative interpretive study involving in-depth interviews with twenty startup founders and ten mentors. The study seeks not just to understand whether mentorship is available but also how startup founders perceive mentorship support. The findings point to mentorship as a contributor to better strategic thinking, leadership skills, and access to networks. Nevertheless, it is also found that mentorship is heavily dependent on the timing of mentorship intervention, trust levels between mentor and mentee, as well as mentor expertise matching startup needs. The study suggests a lifecycle perspective on mentorship that points to stage-based mentorship as a significant contributor to improving startup resilience and growth.

Keywords: Startups, Mentorship, Entrepreneurship, Startup Ecosystem, Venture Growth

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