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Is it important to seek out mentors? How can a startup find the right mentor in London?
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Simon A R Baker
And how can mentors offer the benefits of their wisdom :-)
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David Patterson
Mentors really helped us. We looked for someone who had experience of working with small enterprises rather than our more corporate background.
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Simon A R Baker
There is much to learn from both sides
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Guy Clapperton
Where do you find mentors - and do they expect payment? Cue the "piece of string" answers...
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Disrupts
There are a few ways of going about it... you could find an individual, but why not go into a incubator such as @techstars @RockStar_Group to name a few?
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George Johnston
Don't have too many mentors. Opposing opinions cause unnecessary pivots & confusion.
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Alessia Sannazzaro
Mentors can really help, especially if your startup is composed by a young team.
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David Patterson
We also were introduced to great mentors by the @Entiq team that ran the #cognicity challenge
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Angela Bates
there is no shortage of advice for startups from well-meaning mentors - it can create alot of noise that needs sifting
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Guy Clapperton
Valid point @GeorgeDJohnston - also stuff changes, and older experience may no longer be valid.
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Darren Rebeiro
a fundraise partner can give the start up access to mentors http://bit.ly/1LZv1y...
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Angela Bates
I'm very keen on Accelerator-filtered mentor programme that are well-targetted & designed to introduce genuine clients to startups
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Guy Clapperton
Interesting @ale_sannazzaro - I find when training young journalists and PR people I end up learning a lot myself!
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Joe Mitton
Tech mentors not essential - source advice from many.
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Skylads
another question about the mentors :) What do you think are the main steps a startup needs to do in the beginning?
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Guy Clapperton
That's important @EJoeMitton - do people use business mentors or mentors specific to their field?
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Alessia Sannazzaro
I guess it goes both ways and both sides end up learning a lot from each other.
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Angela Bates
the best mentors are from potential clients - so startups are building their business based on customer needs - @ColliderGB is a good example
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David Patterson
We found it beneficial to work with Universities. They can provide technical advice as well as business advice.
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Simon A R Baker
@ale_sannazzaro Agreed. Some of those are the best sessions
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Guy Clapperton
@ale_sannazzaro That's the best way. I certainly wouldn't suggest everything I learned from 1989 is still current!
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Joe Mitton
business mentors more important I think. Get the basics right.
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Alessia Sannazzaro
@skylads If you are talking about the very beginning market research and idea validation are key.
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Darren Rebeiro
@skylads a great 40 second video from @vfounders marketing director on a recent competition we ran for start ups http://bit.ly/1L15Wg...
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Simon A R Baker
understanding value of wordls such as Systems of Record in the new world of Systems of Engagement ....?
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Alessia Sannazzaro
@David_Patto Agreed. A lot of them offer financial support as well.
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George Johnston
I've found the best mentors and funders are CEOs and founders who have had exits.
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Guy Clapperton
Absolutely @GeorgeDJohnston - first thing I'd want to know is "what have you done?"
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Simon A R Baker
@skylads Tactical steps or Strategic steps to getting started ?
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Skylads
@SimonARBaker focus on strategy first! without good product-market fit. no tactics can save you ;)