SME Mentoring 1on1- Mentoring program and community for founders of startups and SMEs
SME Mentoring 1on1
A one-to-one mentoring programme for founders and small & medium business owners
SME Mentoring 1on1 is a long-standing one-to-one mentoring programme for founders and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners in Vietnam. Originating from the business community in Ho Chi Minh City, it has grown into one of the most structured, resilient, and in-depth mentoring networks within Vietnam’s startup and business ecosystem.
The programme connects experienced entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals (mentors) with founders, business owners, and SMEs (mentees) in a voluntary, long-term, and commitment-based mentoring relationship—typically lasting 12 months. The goal is to support business development while fostering the personal growth and maturity of business leaders.
In Hanoi, SME Mentoring 1on1 Hanoi is officially operated by KisStartup as a chapter of the nationwide SME Mentoring & Networking network.
Mentoring – not consulting, not training
At KisStartup, mentoring is understood as a human development relationship, not merely a way to solve technical business problems.
Mentoring:
- Is a voluntary relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and two-way sharing
- Is not hierarchical and not short-term coaching or consulting with ready-made answers
- Aims to help mentees see their challenges more clearly, make their own decisions, and take responsibility for those decisions
A mentor is not a “problem-solver” who gives advice, but rather:
- Someone who listens deeply
- Someone who asks the right questions
- Someone who shares real experiences—both successes and failures
- Someone who helps the mentee reflect on themselves in their role as a business leader
In a true mentoring relationship, mentors also grow—strengthening their leadership mindset, positive influence, and contribution to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The SME Mentoring 1on1 model – disciplined companionship
SME Mentoring 1on1 follows a one mentor – one mentee model with clear operating principles:
- Mentor and mentee meet at least once per month, usually face-to-face
- Mentoring sessions focus on real issues faced by the business and the leader: strategy, cash flow, people management, markets, the founder’s role, and work–life balance
- Mentees are responsible for preparing session content, writing reflections after each meeting, and committing to concrete actions
- The programme maintains a commitment or deposit mechanism to ensure mentoring is treated as a serious learning journey, not “free consulting”
Alongside 1–1 mentoring, participants also take part in:
- Train the Mentors / Orientation sessions
- Workshops, dialogues, and community gatherings
- End-of-season gala events connecting mentors, mentees, and alumni
SME Mentoring 1on1 Hanoi – operated by KisStartup
In Hanoi, KisStartup is the official operator of SME Mentoring 1on1 and is responsible for:
- Building and nurturing the mentor–mentee community in Northern Vietnam
- Selecting mentors and mentees based on clear criteria around motivation, commitment, and values
- Matching pairs according to real needs, business stage, industry, and personal fit
- Organising orientation, training activities, and monitoring mentoring relationships throughout the programme
The programme is opened on a seasonal basis, typically once per year, followed by continuous mentoring over a 12-month period. SME Mentoring 1on1 Hanoi is now recognised as a distinctive activity within KisStartup’s startup and SME support ecosystem, where many mentoring relationships continue well beyond the formal programme.
Who should join the programme?
You are suited to be a mentor if:
- You are a founder, business owner, or manager with substantial real-world experience
- You want to contribute to the next generation of entrepreneurs—not through theory, but through lived experience
- You are willing to listen, ask questions, and walk alongside mentees rather than impose advice
You are suited to be a mentee if:
- You are a founder or SME owner in a growth stage, facing pressure and important questions
- You have a genuine desire to learn and are willing to be open about challenges
- You can commit time, take action, and view mentoring as a journey of personal growth
- For organisations seeking to develop mentoring programmes
In addition to operating SME Mentoring 1on1, KisStartup also partners with organisations, businesses, and universities to:
- Design mentoring programmes tailored to specific contexts (corporate internal mentoring, startup communities, student–faculty mentoring, local enterprises, etc.)
- Develop mentoring philosophies and processes for selection, matching, and follow-up
- Train mentors, manage programmes, and evaluate impact
We believe mentoring is sustainable only when it starts from real community needs, is guided by a clear philosophy, involves the right people, and is supported by sufficient discipline.
SME Mentoring 1on1 does not promise quick fixes.
Instead, it offers a safe space to think more deeply, make better decisions, and grow more sustainably—for both mentors and mentees.
If you are a founder or business owner, or
If you are an organisation seeking to cultivate a mentoring culture,
KisStartup is ready to walk this journey with you.