Discuss: Why founders need mentors

Mentorship is a term familiarly heard in the industry. As entrepreneurship is a tough and rocky journey, nothing beats having the guiding hands of a mentor who delivers golden advice whenever necessary.

Managing Partner of Tri5 Ventures, Christopher Quek says in this article, “An advisor has an economic relationship with the entrepreneur, but the mentor is one who gives before he gets, and has no clear outcome goals or economic rewards.”

Although that clears up the differences between an advisor/consultant and a mentor, albeit rare, we still hear of the odd times where a mentor charges a founder for advice and service.

Some founders find it important to have that mentor, their guiding light in the dark, treacherous routes of the entrepreneurship journey, with some even have more than one.

But some founders find it better to navigate the waters alone. There is no right or wrong answer, just what helps you as a founder in a time of need. Sometimes, a little advice can go a long way.

Or so I think.

Let’s discuss

• Do founders need mentors?
• Why or why not?
• As a founder, what are your experiences with mentors?
• How does a founder go about looking for a mentor?
• How do you tell a good mentor from a bad one?

Note from Daniel, TIA’s community manager:
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