DECISION GUIDE
Choosing Mentor Matching Criteria
Executive Summary
Effective matching criteria balance must-haves (sector, stage, functional gap) with preferences (personality, timezone, language) and hard conflicts (competitors, capacity). Limit active criteria to five to eight weighted fields—more creates noise. Document criteria with leadership before software configuration so coordinators and algorithms enforce the same rules.
Key Takeaways & Benchmarks
- Must-have: sector experience and startup stage fit
- Must-have: functional gap the founder requested
- Hard filter: availability and session capacity
- Hard filter: conflict and portfolio overlap rules
- Soft weight: mentor preference, timezone, communication style
Frequently Asked Questions
Should founders choose criteria weights?
Founders express needs; program leadership sets weights to protect roster constraints and fairness.
How often should criteria change?
Review after each cohort retrospective—major changes annually, minor tuning each cycle.
Can criteria differ by program track?
Yes. B2B SaaS and deep tech tracks often need different must-have fields within one roster.
Next Step for Your Mentor Program
Explore matching quality, roster coverage, and intake workflows on your cohort.
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