Mentor-Protégé Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization |
| Top Organization | N/A |
| Creation Legislation | N/A |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | To enhance the capabilities of eligible small businesses by pairing them with experienced mentors, fostering business development, and improving their ability to compete for and perform on federal contracts. It aims to increase small business participation in federal procurement.[1] |
| Program Start | 1998 |
| Initial Funding | |
| Duration | Indefinite |
| Historic | Yes |
Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) is designed to enhance the capabilities of eligible small businesses by pairing them with experienced mentors, fostering business development, and improving their ability to compete for and perform on federal contracts. It aims to increase small business participation in federal procurement, providing a platform for growth and capability enhancement through mentorship.[2]
Goals
- Improve the business development and capabilities of protégé firms.[3]
- Facilitate the transfer of technical and managerial knowledge from mentors to protégés.
- Increase small business participation in federal contracts through joint ventures and subcontracting opportunities.
Organization
The Mentor-Protégé Program is managed by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The program is overseen by the Director of OSDBU.
Partners
- No specific partnerships listed, as the program involves direct relationships between mentors and protégés.
History
The Mentor-Protégé Program began in 1998, initially focusing on businesses in the 8(a) Business Development program. Over the years, it has expanded to include all small businesses through the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program, which was established in 2016. This expansion was to broaden access to mentorship for all types of small businesses, not just those in specific set-aside programs. The program has evolved to offer more flexible mentorship arrangements, including the ability for small businesses to serve as mentors in certain cases.
Funding
The Mentor-Protégé Program does not receive direct funding but is supported through the SBA's budget for small business assistance programs. Mentors may offer financial assistance in forms like equity investments or loans, but this is not funded by the program itself. The benefits include non-financial aspects like joint venture opportunities and exemptions from certain affiliation rules, which indirectly support protégés' financial growth.
Implementation
Implementation involves:
- Application and approval of mentor-protégé agreements by the SBA.
- Mentors providing assistance in areas like management, technical capabilities, and business strategy.
- Annual evaluations to assess progress and benefits to the protégé.
- No specific end date; agreements can last up to six years, with the possibility of extension.
Related
External links
- https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/mentor-protege-program
- wikipedia:Mentor-Protégé Program
Social media
- No specific social media accounts for the Mentor-Protégé Program; follow the SBA for updates.
References
- ↑ "Mentor-Protégé Program". https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/mentor-protege-program. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ↑ "Mentor-Protégé Program". https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/mentor-protege-program. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ↑ "Mentor-Protégé Program". https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/mentor-protege-program. Retrieved January 30, 2025.