Our Journey

At Business Mentors NZ, our mission has always been to empower small businesses with the right guidance at the right time. In 2025, with the support of MBIE, we explored how AI could help us streamline processes, improve Mentor and Mentee support, and free up more time for what matters most: human connection.


From automating Meeting Summaries of Mentor meetings to creating better access to resources for business owners, AI is already helping us deliver more impact with a lot less admin.

Shaped through significant Mentor input, extensive testing, and many hours of real-world use, these tools have been designed to ensure they are practical, safe, and truly game changing. The result is a set of fit-for-purpose, custom-built tools, designed specifically for BMNZ Mentors and the business owners they support - not off-the-shelf technology, but tools shaped through real mentoring experience.

 How We’ve Embedded AI into our BAU


AI is embedded in our day-to-day work. Our Mentoring Assistant and Digital Mentor allowing more of a focus on the mentoring relationship and less on paperwork, while maintaining impact and consistency across our small business support. 

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Mentoring Assistant

Mentoring Assistant 

The Mentoring Assistant supports the mentoring session so the Mentor and business owner can focus on the conversation, not the notetaking.

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Digital Mentor

Digital Mentor

The Digital Mentor is a behind-the-scenes tool designed to support BMNZ Mentors – which means that business owners benefit from better prepared, better informed mentoring sessions.

 

Sarah Trotman, ONZM

CEO, Business Mentors NZ

This work reflects what’s possible when you combine experience, innovation, and a clear sense of purpose. We’re excited to share what we’ve learned and continue working alongside our partners to support small businesses across New Zealand. 

Meeting Summary

Mentor and business owner meetings are recorded, transcribed and a comprehensive Meeting Summary, including key actions, is produced. 

The recording and transcription are deleted within 24 hours. The Meeting Summary is sent to the Mentor for review. The Mentor then send the Meeting Summary to the business owner.

"The Meeting Summary is very comprehensive and I’m printing it to place on my wall! I look forward to our next meeting." - Phillippa, Mentee

"That is wicked! Saved me from having to write notes. For me, the Key Takeaways and Agreed Actions are most valuable. Bang on." - Ashton, Mentee

Digital Mentor

For over three decades, BMNZ's 1500+ Business Mentors have been a constant and authoritative source of support for 85,000+ business owners.

Once granted permission, Mentors and business owners have access to anonymised Business Insights for support, regardless of the business lifestage, challenge or sector.

Want to Know More?

Want to access the Digital Mentor, or just want to know more?
Share your details with us and we will be in touch.

Our Partners Who Made This Possible

BMNZ AI Integration Partner Logos April 2026 New

 

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