Create a Safe, Trusted Space – Confidentiality and psychological safety are the foundation.
Two co-founders schedule a private weekly Zoom where they agree nothing leaves the room, allowing honest talk about team conflicts and personal stress.
Celebrate and Encourage – Small wins matter. Recognition sustains momentum.
A peer mentoring group kicks off each session with a "what went well" round to build positive energy.
Practice Empathy and Active Listening– Understand before being understood.
When one founder vents about investor pressure, their peer listens fully before offering feedback or solutions, then mirrors back what they heard.
Give First and Pay It Forward – Generosity builds trust and strengthens bonds.
A founder shares their pitch deck and connections without being asked, simply to help another startup in their cohort succeed.
Be Action-Oriented – Focus on outcomes. Define questions and next steps.
End each session with 2–3 concrete to-dos, such as "Let's both interview 5 customers using the script we developed together. (Customized as necessary) by next week".
Hold Each Other Accountable – Recap commitments and check in regularly.
A founder reminds their partner about their goal to follow up with a potential customer, or investor or hire, and asks what happened when they meet again.
