2025 Resolution: Find an Experienced Mentor to Make Your Startup Fundable

As a startup mentor, I always think about how I can make the most impact.

These days, everyone claims to be a startup mentor. Whether they have ever done a startup or raised money, they are ready to give advice on how to raise money.

Most of the advice you get this way is blind leading the blind.

What constitutes good startup mentoring?

Good startup mentoring goes beyond surface-level platitudes. It is about providing authentic, actionable insights that could accelerate a startup’s fundability.

Good startup mentoring ALSO is about providing honest feedback IF a startup is NOT fundable. The key is WHY NOT.

Delivering negative feedback without triggering defensive anger is an art.

Case-Study Based Teaching is the most effective way to impart wisdom. Practical, real-world examples always prove more valuable than theoretical advice. Entrepreneurs can make informed decisions by learning from the experiences of those who came before.

A good mentor needs to cut through media hype, especially regarding funding obsession, and provide a realistic perspective on the road ahead. Not parrot the hype.

Intellectual honesty matters.

Intellectual honesty takes courage and the willingness to be unpopular.

In the early stage startups, the skill that is of the greatest value is Positioning.

What do you think is the most critical factor hindering the fundability of YOUR startup?

Let’s discuss. I am here for you.

Ask me Anything below.

If you think you need help, consider a free online mentoring session with me. I will diagnose your roadblocks and recommend a path forward.

You can also jump into a full-year Acceleration by joining the 1Mby1M Premium program with me. Weekly mentoring is included.

This segment is a part in the series : 2025 Resolution