Mentor in a video call with international mentee
For Leaders

One mentee. One year. A different perspective.

Cross-mentoring means: you share industry experience and get research, international perspective, and unfiltered outside view in return. Twelve months, one session per month, fully digital.

The Principle

Not a teacher. A counterpart.

Cross-mentoring is not a one-way street. Both sides give, both take — structured over twelve months.

You know the practice of a GreenTech company. Your mentee knows the current research debates in their field, works internationally, and sees industry from the outside. This asymmetry is the value.

In classic mentoring, a senior develops junior staff. Cross-mentoring works differently: both sides bring something, both sides take something. We make this exchange usable in a structured way over twelve months.

Your Time

What we actually need from you.

Three phases. Clearly defined sessions. Around 24 hours total over 12 months.

  1. Kick-off: first tandem meeting at the desk 01 · Kick-off
    01 Phase 1

    Kick-off

    Format
    1 day · on-site or digital
    Time
    ~ 4 h
    Content
    Framework, expectations, tandem agreement
    Start Month 0
  2. Monthly tandem session, digital 02 · Core
    02 Phase 2 · Core

    Monthly session

    Format
    digital · 60–90 minutes
    Time
    ~ 18 h · 12 months
    Content
    Open agenda — you and your mentee set the topics
    Ongoing Month 1 → 12
  3. Closing: reflection at the end of the twelve months 03 · Closing
    03 Phase 3

    Closing

    Format
    digital · 90 minutes
    Time
    1.5 h
    Content
    Reflection, outcomes, personal takeaways
    End Month 12
Σ Total ~24h

Around 24 hours over twelve months. Plus some preparation per session — depending on how deeply you want to engage.

Your Effects

Three things you won't get at any conference.

Concrete impact — for you, your role, your field.

01 Effect

Research, unfiltered

One hour a month, you hear what is currently being discussed in your field at international universities. Directly from someone right in the middle of it. No whitepapers, no conference talks.

1 h / month Direct source
02 · Core
02 Effect

Mentoring competence

Mentoring is its own leadership discipline. You practice it for twelve months in a structured way, with professional support. You take this competence into every future leadership role.

12 months Supported
03 · Reflection
03 Effect

A mirror without filter

PhD researchers think differently about industry than industry thinks about itself. A mentee who questions you respectfully but without preconceptions is a rarer gift than you think.

Outside view Unbiased
Your Counterpart

PhD researchers with industry interest.

We acquire researchers specifically for your company. Here is who they are.

Profile 04 Criteria
  • 01
    Career phase

    PhD researchers in their 2nd to 4th year, at international universities.

  • 02
    Research field

    Aligned with your business — we define this together with you in the kick-off.

  • 03
    Language

    English-speaking, often with basic German skills or actively learning.

  • 04
    Motivation

    Looking for industry perspective, not a job offer.

The Process

Three steps to the first session.

  1. Step 01 You + GTT

    Define the profile

    In the kick-off with your company we clarify: which research field, which university regions, which type of mentee?

  2. Step 02 GTT

    Outreach and matching

    We reach out to researchers directly and conduct in-depth selection interviews. Based on professional and personal fit, we present one mentee to you — the best match.

    Professional fit Personal fit
  3. Step 03 You + Mentee

    Mutual confirmation

    You and your mentee meet once to get to know each other. Both sides must confirm the tandem — otherwise we keep searching.

    No forced match.

Outcome

A tandem that both sides have actively chosen — the foundation for open conversations.

Common Questions

What you typically ask.

Four answers to the most common points. Anything else we clarify in conversation.

01 Do I need to speak fluent English?

Solid business English is enough. Mentees usually have very good English. If both sides speak German, German works too — that is up to the tandem.

02 What if the chemistry doesn't click?

Let us know. We will match you with a different mentee. It rarely happens, but it is always an option.

03 Do I have to travel?

No. Apart from the kick-off (optionally on-site), the entire program is digital.

04 What if I can't make a session?

Reschedule rather than cancel. One session per month is the rhythm, not a fixed calendar entry.

More questions

Write to us — we reply personally, usually within one business day.

For Questions

Direct line to Jörg.

Jörg Bielicke, Program Lead at GreenTech Talents
Jörg Bielicke GreenTech Talents · Program Lead

You have been nominated as a mentor and have questions? Write directly to Jörg Bielicke. Reply usually within 24 hours.

Email j.bielicke@greentechtalents.de
Reply time < 24 hours Language EN / DE Personal No form
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