How to find mentors and advisors for your startup

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Behind almost every successful founder is a great mentor or advisor. The truth is, building a startup in Nigeria or anywhere in Africa can be lonely. You make big decisions daily with limited resources and little guidance. A mentor helps shorten your learning curve, avoid costly mistakes, and connect you with people who can open doors. Yet, many founders don’t know where to start. How do you find someone credible and experienced? How do you ask for mentorship without sounding desperate?

This guide breaks down where and how to find mentors and advisors for your startup, how to build genuine relationships with them, and what to avoid along the way.

Why mentorship and advisory support matter

A good mentor isn’t just someone who gives advice; it’s someone who helps you grow. Mentors share hard-earned lessons from their own journey so you can make smarter choices. Advisors bring strategic and technical expertise, whether that’s fundraising, product, or operations. Both can accelerate your progress in ways no course or YouTube video can.

In Nigeria, mentorship is even more valuable because many founders face unique challenges, limited access to funding, tough regulations, and smaller networks. A mentor who has already built or scaled a business locally can help you navigate those hurdles faster.

“Mentorship turns ambition into direction; it’s the difference between growing fast and growing right.”

Related article: Wentors mentorship program launches to shake up the tech industry.

Where to find mentors and advisors

Finding mentors isn’t about luck; it’s about being intentional. Below are the most reliable places to meet and connect with potential mentors and advisors in Nigeria’s growing startup ecosystem.

1. Startup and Founder Communities

Startup communities are among the best places to meet experienced founders willing to share what they’ve learned.

Where to look:

• Tech hubs and co-working spaces, such as CcHub, Impact Hub, Leadspace, and The Zone Tech Park, regularly host networking events and mentorship sessions.
  
• Startup events and demo days: attend Lagos Startup Week, Techpoint Build, or local pitch nights to meet investors and mentors.
  
• Online founder spaces: join WhatsApp groups, Slack channels, or LinkedIn communities for Nigerian and African founders.

Tip: Don’t ask for mentorship right away. Build connections by first commenting on posts, sharing progress updates, and asking thoughtful questions. Relationships grow through trust, not requests.

2. Accelerator and Incubator Programs

Accelerators are structured programs that connect startups with mentors, funding, and investors. Even if you don’t get accepted into one, you can still learn from their communities.

Examples:

• Y Combinator, Techstars, and Google for Startups Africa offer strong mentor networks.
  
• Nigerian programs like ARM Labs Techstars, Co-Creation Hub, Ventures Platform, and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) provide local mentorship and training.
  

How to access:
Apply to relevant cohorts or attend their open-day workshops. Many have free office hours or alumni groups where mentors engage with emerging founders.

Why it works: These programs pair you with people who’ve scaled startups before, so their advice is practical, not theoretical.

3. Industry Networks and Professional Associations

Sometimes the best mentors aren’t startup founders, they’re industry professionals who understand your market deeply.

Examples:

• Fintech Association of Nigeria, Startup Nigeria Network, and Women in Tech Africa regularly run mentorship initiatives.
  
• Alumni associations from universities like UNILAG or Covenant University often have entrepreneurship circles where senior members advise younger founders.

Tip: Start by finding common ground, such as a shared alma mater, profession, or sector. It makes introductions natural and increases your chances of getting a response.

Read also: How a UNILAG prodigy helped build a fintech empire. His next bet? Decentralised Intelligence

4. Direct Outreach to Potential Mentors

If you admire a founder, investor, or operator, you can reach out directly. Many experienced people are open to mentoring if approached respectfully.

How to do it:

1. Research potential mentors who are looking for someone whose background matches your stage or industry.
   
2. Reach out via LinkedIn or email with a short, clear message.
   
3. Ask one specific question, not “Can you be my mentor?”
   

Example:

“Hi [Name], I’m building a logistics startup for SMEs and loved your article on scaling delivery teams. Could I get 15 minutes of your advice on building early operations?”

Tip: Always come prepared. Respect their time, show progress, and share updates after you act on their advice.

How to Choose the Right Mentor or Advisor

Not every expert is the right fit. The best mentor depends on your needs, stage, and personality.

Look for:

• Someone who has experience two to three steps ahead of you.
  
• A person who communicates clearly and constructively.
  
• Shared values: honesty, humility, and accountability.
  
• Availability, they should have time to engage regularly.
  

Tip: A mentor’s job isn’t to give you all the answers, it’s to help you ask better questions.”

How to Build and Maintain Mentor Relationships

Once you find a mentor, focus on building trust. The relationship only works when it’s consistent and respectful.

Here’s how to sustain it:

• Communicate regularly: send short updates monthly or quarterly.
  
• Be coachable: apply feedback and share results.
  
• Respect their time: have clear agendas for meetings.
  
• Give back: acknowledge their support publicly or share useful introductions in return.
  

A good relationship can evolve; today’s mentor might become tomorrow’s advisor or even investor.

How to Formalise Advisor Relationships

As your startup grows, you may need advisors who specialise in finance, product, or marketing.

Steps:

1. Identify 2-4 domain experts you already have rapport with.
   
2. Define expectations, e.g., 1–2 hours a month or quarterly strategy calls.
   
3. Offer small equity (0.25–1%) or symbolic compensation.
   
4. Put it in writing through an advisor agreement.

This not only keeps things professional but also adds credibility when pitching to investors.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Asking for mentorship too early or too often. Build credibility first.
  
• Expecting free consulting or daily access.
  
• Ignoring advice or disappearing after getting help.
  
• Chasing famous names instead of relevant expertise.

“Good mentorship is built on respect and reciprocity, not convenience.”

Finding mentors and advisors takes effort, but it’s one of the most rewarding parts of building a startup. Start where you are, join local communities, attend ecosystem events, and reach out thoughtfully to people you admire. The right mentor will help you stay focused, make better decisions, and grow faster than you could on your own. Every great founder once had a mentor who believed in them. Now it’s your turn to find yours.

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