Project Ascent Mentorship Program
A Leadership Commitment
The C9 Gives Foundation Project Ascent Mentorship Program is a structured experience designed to connect established business leaders with ascending entrepreneurs and leaders who are actively building and growing their companies.
The program is built around one clear objective:
Create meaningful progress for entrepreneurs + leaders through focused guidance, accountability, and real-world perspective.
This is not an informal arrangement or a casual coffee connection. It is a defined leadership commitment that balances structure with flexibility, ensuring that both mentor and mentee benefit from the relationship without it becoming burdensome.
The program is run and supported by the C9 Gives Foundation, the philanthropic and community-building arm of Coalition9 dedicated to strengthening entrepreneurs and the broader business ecosystem.
Why This Program Exists
Entrepreneurs and leaders today have access to more information than ever. What they often lack is clarity in decision-making, prioritization, and consistent accountability. Many operate in isolation, navigating complex challenges without access to experienced perspectives.
Project Ascent exists to close that gap.
By pairing seasoned operators, executives, and founders with entrepreneurs and leaders who are in the trenches, the program accelerates learning, sharpens judgment, and reduces preventable mistakes. It provides Project Ascent mentees with a trusted sounding board while reinforcing a culture of leadership within the C9 Community.
What Mentors Gain
Mentorship is not a one-directional experience. This program is designed to make participation clear, focused, and valuable. Leaders who participate gain:
Continued relevance by staying close to emerging businesses and shifting market realities
Access to a network of other respected C9 mentors and community leaders
Visibility and credibility within the broader ecosystem
The opportunity to pass on hard-earned lessons in a structured, meaningful way
A defined and manageable leadership commitment that respects their time
Program Structure
Each mentorship cycle runs for a minimum of 6 months and follows a simple, repeatable framework designed for consistency and impact.
Time Commitment
Over multiple 90-day cycles, the expected monthly time commitment is approximately two hours. This includes:
One 90-minute kickoff session
Bi-weekly 30-minute check-ins
A structured cadence that keeps momentum without overwhelming either party
The limited and clearly defined time requirement removes uncertainty and makes it realistic for busy executives to participate.
The Mentorship Experience
The kickoff session establishes alignment. During that first meeting, the mentor and mentee clarify the founder’s current stage of business, identify pressing challenges, and define a primary focus for the initial 90-day period. The goal is not to solve everything at once, but to create disciplined progress around a specific priority.
Subsequent sessions follow a simple Rose / Bud / Thorn structure:
ROSE
What is working well
BUD
What shows potential
THORN
What is blocking progress
ONE THING
Strategic + Tactical Accountability
This format keeps conversations focused and productive. The mentor’s role is not to operate the business or provide constant direction, but to help the mentee think clearly, make better decisions, and stay accountable to their stated goals.
The Role of the C9 Gives Foundation
Project Ascent is run and supported by the C9 Gives Foundation. The foundation provides:
Program structure and guidelines
Mentor and mentee matching
Onboarding materials
Communication templates
Light coordination throughout each 90-day cycle
The foundation ensures that the mentorship relationship is structured and supported rather than left to chance. This infrastructure allows mentors to focus on leadership and impact, rather than logistics.
Why It Matters
Project Ascent strengthens more than individual businesses. It reinforces a culture of leadership within the Twin Cities business community and creates stronger connections across generations.
When experienced leaders invest in ascending entrepreneurs + leaders, the entire ecosystem becomes more resilient and wildly capable.
If you are willing to commit approximately two hours per month to guide a mentee with intention and discipline, we happily welcome you to participate.
