Durham Venture Mentors

Durham Venture Mentors connects Durham University students and graduates with an elite and diverse network of mentors, supporting innovators and entrepreneurs to realise their potential and create positive impact in the world.

Delivered by Durham Venture Lab, the programme supports those exploring and pursuing pathways in innovation and enterprise. Mentorship is embedded across our three key stages of support: innovation, startup, and growth.

By taking part, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Access tailored 1‑to‑1 mentorship to support your idea, startup, or growing business.
• Gain insight and guidance from experienced founders, leaders, and sector specialists.
• Develop your ideas through structured support, from early exploration to scaling.
• Build confidence, capability, and resilience as an entrepreneur.
• Become part of a supportive entrepreneurial community within and beyond Durham University.

We engage with participants in a variety of ways, from early-stage idea support and group innovation challenges to intensive, full-time accelerator programmes. As ventures reach the growth stage, Durham Venture Mentors plays a critical role by providing access to ongoing support through our wider networks.

Effective mentorship is a key driver of startup success. Durham Venture Lab takes a considered and individual approach to mentorship, shaped by clear values, principles, and processes to ensure meaningful and impactful relationships.

If you are interested in Durham Venture Mentors, please contact Chris Gilman for more information.