In the pilot programmes, ASAP conducted an internal matching process, where the accelerator team matched the mentors and mentees. However, from the ASAP alumni survey data and mentor interviews, the team found that the synergy between the mentor and the mentee substantially improves if a self-choice mechanism gets added to the process.
Outlined below are some of the key mechanisms through which mentors and mentees can be matched:
Speed-Dating Process
Internal Matching
Automated Matches
Algorithm-based software, such as Mentorloop, can be utilised to facilitate the matching process for mentoring schemes. This can involve the mentees and mentors completing surveys and uploading their information on preferences onto the software. Next, automated compatibility scores are generated by the algorithms, which subsequently help to create data-driven matches. Another option is mobile app with the whole community such as that used by LSE Generate.
In addition, much of the personal interaction can be reduced during the matching process, meaning that the mentees and mentors do not have the option of selecting their own match. The advantage of using technology is that the administrative burden is greatly reduced for the coordinators of the mentorship programme. Nevertheless, this is substituted with the addition of the financial burdens on the administrators- software is often expensive.
