6Pre-AdvancedBusinessBusiness

Lenovo and Eva Longoria Launch Global Mentorship Program for Small Businesses

Technology giant Lenovo has partnered with actress and entrepreneur Eva Longoria to launch a groundbreaking initiative called Backing Every Business. The program offers small business owners across four countries mentorship, $10,000 grants, and AI-powered tools to help them scale and thrive in today's competitive digital economy.

2 min readLevel 6April 7, 2026

By Flalingo Editorial Team

Vocabulary

Study these words before reading the article. Click the audio button to hear pronunciation.

initiative

/ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/

noun

A new plan or program designed to solve a particular problem or achieve a specific goal

“The government launched a new initiative to support renewable energy development across the country.”

mentorship

/ˈmentɔːʃɪp/

noun

A relationship in which an experienced person guides and advises someone with less experience

“Through mentorship, young professionals can gain valuable insights from industry leaders.”

collaboration

/kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/

noun

The act of working together with others to achieve a shared goal or complete a project

“The collaboration between the two companies resulted in a groundbreaking new product.”

resilience

/rɪˈzɪliəns/

noun

The ability to recover quickly from difficulties and adapt to challenging situations

“The company showed remarkable resilience after the economic downturn by restructuring its operations.”

accelerate

/əkˈseləreɪt/

verb

To make something happen faster or to increase the speed of a process

“The new investment will accelerate the company's expansion into international markets.”

isolation

/ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃn/

noun

The state of being alone or separated from others, often leading to a lack of support

“Many startup founders experience isolation because they have no peers who understand their challenges.”

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Article

Click on any underlined word to see its definition. Highlighted words are from the vocabulary section.

Technology company Lenovo has launched a global initiative designed to close the support gap facing small businesses. The program, called Backing Every Business, was announced in partnership with actress and entrepreneur Eva Longoria. According to the World Economic Forum, small businesses represent roughly 90% of all companies worldwide. They also account for 70% of employment and 50% of global GDP. Despite this enormous impact, many founders still struggle to access capital and strategic guidance.

At the heart of the initiative is a cross-border mentorship program called Twinning. The program pairs small business owners across different industries and geographies for collaboration. Rather than traditional top-down coaching, Twinning matches entrepreneurs who face similar challenges. This innovative approach transforms entrepreneurial isolation into shared momentum and practical problem-solving. For a select group of participants, their business twin will be Eva Longoria herself.

Selected participants will receive a $10,000 grant and AI-enabled Lenovo technology to accelerate their growth. Beyond funding, the program helps founders use artificial intelligence in practical ways. These include saving time on paperwork, sharpening marketing tactics, and making smarter business decisions. Applications are currently open to eligible small business owners in Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Selected participants will be notified in May 2026.

Lenovo's Chief Marketing Officer, Emily Ketchen, emphasized that small businesses gain more than just technology through this initiative. She stated that Lenovo is committed to building resilience, productivity, and a stronger global community. The initiative also includes a local-level program called The Growth Lab for collaborative coaching sessions. Had many small businesses adopted such collaborative strategies earlier, they could have overcome critical challenges sooner. This program signals a broader industry trend toward sustained, community-driven support for entrepreneurs.

Comprehension Quiz

Test your understanding of the article with these multiple-choice questions.

1
What is the name of the mentorship program at the heart of Lenovo's initiative?
2
How much grant funding will selected participants receive?
3
According to the World Economic Forum, what percentage of global businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises?
4
In which countries can small business owners currently apply for the program?
5
What role does Eva Longoria play in the Twinning program?

Discussion

Answer these comprehension questions about the article.

1
What is the main goal of Lenovo's Backing Every Business initiative?
2
How does the Twinning mentorship program differ from traditional top-down business coaching?
3
Why did Lenovo choose to partner with Eva Longoria for this program?
4
What specific benefits will selected participants receive through the initiative?
5
Which countries are currently eligible for the Backing Every Business program, and when will participants be notified?

Further Discussion

Share your opinions on these open-ended questions.

1
If you were a small business owner, would you prefer mentorship from a celebrity entrepreneur or a peer facing similar challenges? Why?
2
How do you think AI-powered tools could change the way small businesses operate in your country?
3
What are the potential risks and rewards of a cross-border mentorship model like Twinning for businesses in different markets?
4
If your company were to launch a similar initiative, how would you measure the return on investment of a mentorship program?
5
Do you believe that large technology companies have a responsibility to support small businesses? What strategic advantages might they gain from doing so?