NEXT Venture Mentoring Service (NEXT VMS)
Since 2006, NEXT has attracted and grown high-impact, innovation-based companies in the Greenville, S.C. area by developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and connecting entrepreneurs to it.
NEXT participated in the MIT VMS Immersion Program in 2014, followed by onsite Mentor Training programs delivered by MIT VMS instructors in 2015 and 2016. It has since effectively connected experienced business leaders to high-impact entrepreneurs via the team-based mentor program. To date, 34 mentors have mentored 44 ventures, which has strengthened the entrepreneurial talent and improved venture performance in the Upstate of South Carolina.
“I have been involved in NEXT since 2006 and am involved in their team-based mentor program. I continue to be amazed by two things with my mentors: first, how quickly they can jump into a conversation and immediately have ideas and provide valuable information very relative to the conversation or question at hand; second, how ‘invested’ I feel they are in my business. With absolutely no financial gain, I truly believe I have mentors who want to help me succeed and have a true interest in me and what I am doing. I would recommend VMS to anybody in need of guidance, no matter where they are in their business.”
- Mark Essex, CEO of Netalytics