A study on motivational factors among entrepreneurship mentors

The purpose of this study is to explore volunteer-based entrepreneurship mentor network and particularly examine the motives of people being part of the network. The framework of this study is a business plan competition called Venture Cup Finland, aiming to contribute to creating new start-up companies. The study aims to create new understanding of non-profit organization in the field of entrepreneurship as well as to study the volunteers taking part in the professional mentor network and their motives. The study comprises a theory review on volunteerism, the motives of volunteers and business plan competitions contribution to growth entrepreneurship. The empirical data of this study consists of a qualitative case study. The results indicate that this kind of network is not successfully managed with the traditional hierarchic non-profit way by using extrinsic motives. In addition, intrinsic motives and possibility to influence within the network are key elements in attracting relevant people to the mentor network.

Autorentext

Ville Simola has obtained his M.Sc. degree in organizations and management from Aalto School of Economics. Since that he has been working to re-create the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Aalto University and Finland. He has successfully co-founded initiatives such as co-working space Aalto Venture Garage and Startup Sauna startup accelerator program.