Project Description
Bridge for Billions, founded in 2015, empowers entrepreneurs by bridging gaps in resources and networks to foster inclusive economic growth. Headquartered in New York, with offices in Spain and Guatemala, it partners globally to support early-stage ventures, creating jobs and transforming communities worldwide. In this project, I worked with Pablo Santaeufemia, CEO of Bridge for Billions and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, to develop a service connecting entrepreneurs and mentors.
Our key challenge was to recruit skilled mentors through HR and CSR departments, reimagining traditional corporate volunteering from a charity-focused model to productive, impactful mentorship.
Design Thinking Methodology
We worked on this project using the design thinking methodology, which is a human-centered problem-solving approach that prioritizes understanding users and their needs. It involves defining challenges, ideating solutions, prototyping, and testing to create innovative outcomes that resonate with users.
Role
Service Designer
Responsabilities
Service Designer
Outcomes
In our project, we applied design thinking to conceptualize a mentorship connection service. By researching the needs of entrepreneurs, mentors, and organizations involved in corporate social responsibility (CSR), we identified key challenges and developed a solution that fosters meaningful mentorship connections, driving social impact and supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Introduction to the Challenge
We aimed to create a service that effectively connects entrepreneurs with mentors, focusing on the specific needs of three key groups:
· Companies with CSR Initiatives: Eager to engage in social impact but lacking knowledge and resources for effective volunteer programs.
· Volunteers: Professionals wanting to contribute to social projects but limited by time commitments.
· Social Entrepreneurs: Individuals committed to making a positive societal impact through their startups, seeking guidance and support.
We also faced several constraints:
· Budget Limitations: Restricted financial resources for the initiative.
· Sustaining Mentorship Contributions: Uncertainties about maintaining consistent participation from mentors.
· Legal Restrictions: Compliance with relevant regulations.
· Closed Platform Format: The existing structure of the Bridge for Billions platform required tailored solutions.Recognizing these challenges enabled us to develop a meaningful and effective mentorship connection service.
Research and Discovery
ing the design thinking methodology, we conducted thorough desk research and interviews to validate our initial assumptions. This revealed three main actors in the mentorship ecosystem:
CSR-Driven Companies: Seeking guidance on effective volunteerism.
Volunteers: Interested in social impact but with limited time.
Social Entrepreneurs: Founders of startups needing meaningful support to drive societal change.With a clear understanding of these actors, we developed user personas and mapped their journeys, identifying points of friction and potential engagement.
Ideation and Concept Developmen
Our ideation process involved several creative techniques, including:
Idea Cards: Team members used cards to brainstorm and prioritize various concepts, allowing for quick visual representation and organization of thoughts.
Idea Relations: We explored relationships between different ideas to uncover synergies and enhance our proposed solutions.We evaluated our ideas based on cost, time, and feasibility, ensuring that our solution was both practical and aligned with project constraints. Inspired by the concept of speed dating, we devised a "Speed Mentoring" format, where entrepreneurs sit at designated round tables while mentors rotate for short, structured sessions. This model offers a straightforward, efficient, and cost-effective way for mentors and mentees to connect.
Prototyping and Iteration
To bring our Speed Mentoring concept to life, we created a prototype that simulated the mentoring sessions. Feedback from stakeholders and potential users was gathered during testing, leading to iterative improvements. We refined the format based on insights related to timing, engagement, and overall experience.To enhance the Speed Mentoring sessions, we designed a game-like tool for Bridge for Billions that helps entrepreneurs clearly articulate their challenges to mentors. This engaging approach aligns with the closed platform format and enables mentors to effectively support entrepreneurs’ goals. The tool represents how mentors assist entrepreneurs in achieving their objectives.
Outcome and Client Satisfaction
Our solution received positive feedback from the client, who appreciated the practical and easy-to-implement approach. The Speed Mentoring model, combined with the interactive challenge tool, aligns well with their needs, making it a viable solution for fostering meaningful mentorship connections. As a result, our client was pleased with the idea due to the fast and efficient way to implement this service to meet their needs
