Governor's Mentor Protégé Program
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Applications for the 2008-2009 Governor’s Mentor Protégé Program will be accepted starting April 2008 |
2008-2009 Governor’s Mentor Protégé Program Recruitment Overview and Calendar 2008-2009 Governor's Mentor Protégé Application The success of a small business requires careful planning, a strong business sense and great courage. In Georgia, entrepreneurs can get a boost from some of the most successful companies in the country through the Governor’s Mentor Protégé Program.
The first-of-its-kind program teams prospering companies that have proven competencies in business, technology and the development of sophisticated business solutions with smaller, emerging Georgia-based businesses to increase the odds for success. Entrepreneurs gain the tools and techniques to improve their operations, create valuable business alliances and accelerate growth, and established companies find new opportunities, partners and markets.
The program is primarily sponsored by the State of Georgia. Additionally, eight of the state’s most respected and successful companies provide financial and in-kind assistance to support the program, and serve as corporate sponsors: GE Energy, Georgia Power, Hardin Construction Company, Lockheed Martin, The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot, Turner Broadcasting Systems and UPS. These companies and others have helped more than 125 small businesses meet their specific challenges and develop the tools they need to succeed.
The program begins with a competitive application and review process. Protégé companies are evaluated to determine the most critical areas for improvement and then matched with Mentor companies possessing the expertise, resources and leadership to best guide their success. During the program, the Mentor-Protégé team identifies strategies for accelerating growth, securing necessary resources and entering target markets. At the end of the cycle, Protégés exit the program and are empowered to grow and thrive.
In addition to the guidance provided by the Mentors, Protégé companies can take advantage of a network of technical assistance and training providers who focus on building capacity and providing access to capital.
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