Problem Statement

London's aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly students, often lack access to practical guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals, hindering their skill development and entrepreneurial pursuits. This contributes to an unequal playing field in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, limiting opportunities for diverse groups. We are developing "Shapers Directory," an intermediary online platform facilitating 1:1 connection between Shapers and students based on specific strengths and knowledge needs. This creates a mentorship marketplace, fostering knowledge exchange and empowering students with future-proof skills.

Target Groups

• Entrepreneurship-focused students in London's universities and colleges seeking mentorship, guidance, and practical knowledge to develop their skills and launch entrepreneurial ventures


• Global Shapers: young leaders with expertise in various fields, willing to share their knowledge and mentor students through 1:1 connections Expected Outputs

Hub Activities

• Platform Development: building and launching the Shapers Directory website with user-friendly features for profile creation, matching algorithms, and booking functionalities


• Recruitment: onboarding 100 students and 30 Shapers onto the platform by Q2 2024 through targeted outreach and engagement campaigns


• Mentorship Facilitation: providing guidelines and support to Shapers and students for effective mentor-mentee interactions and knowledge exchange


• Community Building: organising online and offline events to foster connections and engagement within the platform's community

Short-term Goal

• Facilitate 50 successful 1:1 bookings through the platform by Q2 2024

Long-term Objective

• Establish a sustainable platform serving London's entrepreneurship student societies and develop a scalable model for Shapers to create similar platforms in other areas

Impact Metrics

• Number of registered users, platform usage statistics


• Number of 1:1 connections facilitated


• Skills development in students


• New business ventures facilitated

Collaborators

• London Global Shapers Hubs


• Potential partnerships with entrepreneurship societies and educational institutions are being explored.

Alignment with WEF-GSC Impact Areas

• Re-skill for the Future: equipping students with future-proof skills through 1:1 mentorship and knowledge exchange


• Create Inclusive Communities: enabling equal access to mentorship and fostering diversity and inclusion within the entrepreneurial ecosystem


• Social Impact: empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and fostering inclusive communities


• Hub Collaboration: partnering with Shapers and exploring collaborations with other organisations


• Innovation: developing a creative and scalable solution to bridge the mentorship gap


• Network-building: creating a vibrant community of learners and mentors


• Entrepreneurship: Supporting and nurturing the next generation of business leaders

This project holds immense potential to empower aspiring entrepreneurs, bridge the skills gap, and create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in London. By aligning with the WEF-GSC Impact Area, we strive to shape a brighter future for young leaders and contribute to a thriving entrepreneurial landscape.

For more information: https://www.londonglobalshapersii.com/shaping-entrepreneurship-shapers-directory