CALL4EXPERTS
Mentor
Position description
TONDO – Taranto CirTech officially opens its Mentor selection process, open to both professionals and companies, to support local teams, startups, and projects throughout the development and validation of innovative solutions with high environmental and social impact in the Taranto area.
Taranto CirTechis is an acceleration program dedicated to the transition toward a circular and regenerative economy in Southern Italy. Promoted by Tondo with the support of public institutions, businesses, and local stakeholders, the project aims to develop skills, generate sustainable entrepreneurial ideas, and strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Taranto.
Mentor role
The acceleration program includes three key profiles:
Each mentor will strengthen the technological, economic-managerial, or design aspects of the selected proposals, supporting startups in transforming ideas into concrete, scalable, and sustainable solutions. Interventions will be tailored to the needs of each project and delivered through individual or group sessions.
Specific tasks
Business Mentor
Experts in strategic development, finance, economic sustainability, fundraising, and business model validation. They play a key role in guiding solutions to market readiness.
They will be responsible for:
Support on financial strategies and business management
Improvement of scalability and economic sustainability
Facilitation of networking with investors and industrial partners
Preparation for project presentations to potential funders
Design Mentor
With backgrounds in circular design, service design, UX/UI, branding, and communication, they support teams in making ideas clear, effective, and desirable.
They will be responsible for:
Integrating circularity principles into product/service design
Defining the business model and value proposition
Visualizing and communicating the idea to investors and stakeholders
Developing branding and positioning strategies
Technical Mentor
With scientific, engineering, or technological expertise, they help teams build well-founded, prototypable solutions that can be integrated into local contexts.
They will be responsible for:
Scientific and engineering support (deep tech, biotechnology)
Guidance during experimentation and prototyping phases
Facilitating technology transfer from academia to industry
Who we are looking for
Entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, researchers, academics, and specialized companies with at least five years of relevant experience as mentors, advisors, or trainers, who have gained substantial practical experience and developed concrete case studies related to the type of mentorship for which they are applying. A strong background in one or more of the following areas is also preferred:
We are looking for motivated individuals with a strong collaborative spirit and a systemic vision, capable of clearly transferring knowledge and working effectively with interdisciplinary teams.
Contract duration and conditions
Contract:
Individuals: occasional collaboration or VAT-registered consultancy (collaborazione occasionale or prestazione con Partita IVA), depending on the candidate’s profile.
Companies: professional assignment with company VAT number.
Format: hybrid (possible in-person meetings in Taranto + online sessions)
Commitment: each Mentor will be assigned up to a maximum of 2 teams. For each team, up to 4 meetings are planned, each lasting between 1 and 2 hours, for an estimated total of approximately 16 hours of meetings.
In addition, up to 4 hours are allocated for preparation, follow-up, coordination, and drafting of the final report. As this is an external consultancy activity, it must be documented through a report clearly outlining the activities carried out, the objectives addressed, and the results achieved. The indicative total commitment is therefore approximately 20 hours if the Mentor supports two teams. Depending on the needs of the program and the startups, some Mentors may be involved in additional support activities exceeding the indicated number of hours, subject to prior agreement with the organization.
Compensation: € 70 gross per hour (VAT included)
Duration: July to September 2025
Association description
Tondo supports analyses, studies, scientific research, projects, pilot initiatives, and operational activities aimed at safeguarding and improving environmental conditions, as well as promoting the wise and rational use of natural resources, in line with the principles of the Circular Economy.
Tondo aims to accelerate the transition toward a Circular Economy by driving the shift of the economic system toward one that is regenerative and restorative. The association’s main objectives are:
• To foster the further development of entrepreneurial and innovative activities within the circular economy by generating and sharing knowledge;
• To create a broad and diverse ecosystem actively engaged in various areas of the circular economy;
• To experiment with new and innovative solutions through its network of partners by implementing specific projects.
How to apply
Send your CV to info@tondo.tech, specifying in the subject line:
“CALL FOR MENTORS – Taranto CirTech | [Business/Design/Technical] Mentor”
Deadline: 30 June 2025