XL EagleMentor-Protege (Mentor-Protege Program)
Mentor-Protege stands for Mentor-Protege Program. A mentor-protege program pairs a more experienced company, the mentor, with a small business, the protege. The mentor helps with things like management, financing, bonding and winning contracts.
SBA runs a governmentwide mentor-protege program for all small businesses. A key benefit is that an approved mentor and protege can form a joint venture that can bid on small business set-asides even when the mentor is large. Some agencies, like the Defense Department, run their own programs with different rules.
Why it matters to a small contractor
If you have solid field crews but lack bonding or past performance, a mentor can open doors to bigger work. Pick a mentor whose work fits your trade.
Example
A small fencing company becomes the protege of a large site contractor. Together their JV wins a $4 million set-aside for perimeter security upgrades.
Mentor-Protege: common questions
Does the mentor have to be a large business?
No. Mentors can be large or small, but they must be able to provide real help.
Is approval required?
Yes. SBA must approve the mentor-protege agreement before JV benefits apply.
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