Mentoring Program for Experience Exchange between Life Science Start-ups and Established Companies

In the business world, innovation and experience are equally crucial for long-term success. Our 1:1 mentoring program pairs startups from the Life Science Factory with experienced mentors from IHK-affiliated industrial companies to create win-win situations and provide tailored mentoring and reverse mentoring. We prioritize quality over quantity, thus, we follow a “matching as a service” approach, carefully selecting the right contacts for each other to ensure each partnership delivers the maximum benefit.

for Start-ups:

Young companies benefit from the expertise and network of experienced mentors, helping them overcome challenges, make strategic decisions, and grow faster. Access to valuable knowledge and resources enables startups to maximize their innovation potential and improve their market opportunities.

for industry partner:

Experienced mentors from the industry gain fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that can be integrated into their own business strategies. Additionally, mentoring provides an opportunity to identify potential business partners or investment opportunities early on and to expand their industry knowledge.

Our pilot program not only promotes the individual success of participants but also strengthens the entire Life Science ecosystem through the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and networks. Together, we aim to create a platform for sustainable growth and innovation.

Goals & Process

Trustful selection of “matches”

We place great importance on building trust between participants and careful selection of mentors and startups to ensure that both sides benefit optimally.

Structured framework for goal-oriented conversations

Our program offers a structured framework (Mentoring Canvas as a tool) that facilitates goal-oriented conversations and effective collaboration.

Breaking down barriers

We help to break down potential barriers and “hesitations” to foster open and productive communication between mentors and mentees.

Feedback and success measurement

Regular feedback is an integral part of our program to ensure continuous improvements and the success of the matching relationship.

Criteria for Participation

For Startups:

• Member of the Life Science Factory Community
• Willingness to participate actively and openness to feedback
• Clear goals and expectations for the mentoring

For Mentors:

• Member of the IHK Hannover
• Extensive experience in the industry with a focus on relevant business areas (HR, finance, production, scaling, etc.)
• Willingness to invest time and knowledge

about IHK

The IHK Hannover serves and represents the interests of over 180,000 member companies in the counties Diepholz, Nienburg, Schaumburg, Hameln-Pyrmont, Hildesheim, Holzminden, Göttingen, Northeim, and the Hannover region. We are headquartered in Hannover, with six offices in the region. As a public-law corporation, we also perform numerous sovereign tasks, especially in vocational training.

The Göttingen office of the IHK Hannover is a regional contact for economy, politics, administration, and media in the counties of Göttingen and Northeim. It represents the interests of member companies locally and offers various services.

about the Life Science Factory

Initiated by the life science corporation Sartorius, the Life Science Factory promotes scientific advancement and company foundations in the life science area. The goal is to strengthen research and development of innovative technologies with a clear application focus and provide scientists space to take their first steps outside academic institutions.

Since 2022, the Life Science Factory in the Göttingen Sartorius Quarter offers state-of-the-art and fully equipped laboratory spaces, coworking spaces, multi-use event areas, and a prototyping workshop. Regular event, consultation, and workshop offers are an essential part of the Life Science Factory’s services. From the end of 2024, there will be an additional location in Munich in cooperation with Helmholtz Munich.