Mentor Young Colombian Entrepreneurs

Activity/project background

MacondoLab supports the University’s Opción de Grado by helping students develop business projects and strengthen existing ventures through training, mentoring, fieldwork, sustainability planning, and pitch preparation. The program is designed for undergraduate students who have completed the required entrepreneurship coursework and are advancing business ideas or early-stage ventures as part of their graduation pathway.

The engagement addresses a development and technical need related to the strengthening of student-led business ideas with greater financial rigor and stronger alignment with international market conditions. Many participating students require additional guidance to translate early business concepts into structured, financially viable, and scalable models that can compete in dynamic markets. Priority needs include support in financial analysis, business model refinement, sustainability planning, growth strategy, market readiness, and presentation of business ideas to expert audiences. The engagement is expected to benefit undergraduate participants in the Opción de Grado pathway, typically organized around project-based mentoring, training activities, and milestone-based reviews throughout the acceleration process.

The university is requesting two Virtual Service Pilot Participants (VSPPs) to provide specialized virtual support that strengthens the technical quality of this graduation-track entrepreneurship process. The VSPPs will contribute through structured virtual mentoring sessions, practical workshops, and feedback activities focused on financial planning, evaluation of business opportunities, international market orientation, and improvement of student presentations and project documentation. Expected support may include one to two virtual sessions per week during the engagement period, group training for participating students, and individualized feedback for selected projects at key stages of development

The organization has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPPs will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:

• Review program materials and co-develop a virtual support plan during the first two weeks of the engagement, including learning objectives, session topics, and expected outputs for student support in business idea development under the “Opción de Grado” program
• Facilitate one 60–90-minute virtual group training session per week during the engagement period, focused on topics such as business model strengthening, basic financial planning, international market orientation, and presentation of business ideas, for participating undergraduate students
• Provide one 60-minute virtual mentoring or feedback session per week with MacondoLab staff and/or designated student groups, to strengthen institutional capacity in guiding students on financial analysis, venture structuring, and market-readiness milestones
• Review and provide written feedback on student business idea outputs twice per month, such as financial projections, value propositions, pitch materials, or market analysis summaries, using practical recommendations that can be applied by both students and MacondoLab facilitators
• Conduct one final virtual wrap-up and knowledge-sharing session during the last two weeks of the engagement, summarizing key lessons, useful tools, and recommendations that MacondoLab can continue using in future “Opción de Grado” cohorts

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be six hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Colombia time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The host country counterpart will have access to Microsoft Teams for regular communication and collaboration.

Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0–18), two adults must be present.

Optional additional activities

The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.

Essential qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, economics, entrepreneurship, international business, education, or a related field.

Language: Advanced Spanish

Experience:
• 1 year of academic, professional, or volunteer experience in entrepreneurship, business development, finance, or student mentoring
• Facilitating virtual or in-person training, workshops, mentoring sessions, or instructional activities with youth or adult learners
• Providing practical guidance in at least one of the following areas: business model development, basic financial planning, market analysis, or presentation/pitch development
• Basic proficiency in using virtual collaboration tools such as Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or similar platforms for online sessions and feedback

Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually

Desired qualifications

Experience:
• Working with university students, early-stage entrepreneurs, or youth entrepreneurship programs
• Supporting business idea development in areas such as financial modeling, market validation, business planning, or pitch preparation
• Familiarity with international markets, export readiness, or global entrepreneurship concepts
• Designing practical learning materials, tools, or workshops for entrepreneurship or business development training
• Working in multicultural, international, or virtual service environments

Terms and conditions of engagement

VSPPs will be engaging with the host country partner, in coordination with Peace Corps post staff, remotely from the US. They should have access to a computer, internet, and telephone in order to enable direct engagement with the Peace Corps overseas office and the Host Country Counterpart assigned by the host country partner.

Orientation with the host country partner will be provided, within the designated virtual service hours, during the first week of virtual service via an online presentation and discussion. The host country partner will provide an overview of its organization, the local context, and how they envision collaborating with the VSPP.

The VSPP will have regular check-ins with their counterpart and bi-weekly check-ins with Peace Corps staff. Spending unstructured time with counterparts can be critical to relationship-building and is encouraged through activities such as coffee chats and informal calls within the weekly 5-15 hours.

Engagement safety and security

The VSPP will receive an orientation on Peace Corps’ Child Protection Policy and how it relates to online engagement along with IT security best practices. The VSPP will be expected to follow safety and security guidelines for online engagement to ensure their safety and that of the Host Country Partner and their counterpart, and any beneficiaries of the engagement.

Supervision requirements

The VSPP will report to a designated Peace Corps staff member. The VSPP will be expected to abide by the Virtual Service Pilot Participant and Donation Agreement and Participant Principles of Engagement. The VSPP will also be expected to check in with the designated host country counterpart as assigned by the host county partner.