Often it can take years or even decades to build a thriving business and that is a metric that every startup strives for. Christchurch has some spectacular success stories of startups that have become major players in their respective industries. Some of them started before the phrase “startup” was even coined, back then it was just “starting a business” and boy have some of them become global success stories.
These businesses are the result of hard work, determination, and innovative ideas, and they serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs in the city. However, as these companies continue to grow, they also have an opportunity to give back to the community that has helped them succeed.
One way to do this is by participating in a mentorship program, where established companies dedicate time and resources to help build the next generation of success stories. Mentoring a startup can take many forms, such as providing guidance and support on business strategy, offering advice on fundraising, and providing introductions to key stakeholders in the community.
Mentoring can be a valuable experience for both the mentor and the mentee. For the mentor, it provides an opportunity to give back to the community and to share their experiences and insights with a new generation of entrepreneurs. Tuck an ambitious founder under your wing and drop some value bombs.
For the mentee, it offers the chance to receive guidance, feedback, and support from a unique perspective that you can’t find in a textbook or an online video. Tips and advice from a successful person who has been through the ups and downs of building a successful business.
If people are forced to learn the hard way by trial and error for too long their odds of giving up rise significantly. I think it’s good for startups to have a few small failures behind them to battle harden them for the tough reality of running a business but they need to avoid catastrophic land mines. It’s a battlefield out there and the more ammunition a founder can gather the better the survival rate.
Additionally, mentoring can also benefit the mentor’s own company by fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. As the mentor works with the mentee, they are exposed to new ideas and perspectives, which can spark new innovations and improve their own business practices. It also helps to cultivate a sense of community among companies in the city and encourages them to work together to support the growth of the startup ecosystem.
Startups need different things at different times and rather than just having 1 mentor why not allow them access to a successful organisation, we are probably talking about 3–6 hours a month with some of your key leaders or stakeholders.
If the startup is looking to market something let them hang out with the marketing manager for half a day. If they are building a product let them talk to your product lead. If they are about to hire their first staff member let them go to the HR manager. If they are looking to raise capital it might be the finance team or the CEO. You can set the rules
Established companies in Christchurch have a unique opportunity to give back to the community by participating in a mentorship program. By dedicating time and resources to help build the next generation of success stories, they can not only support the growth of the startup ecosystem but also improve their own businesses in the process. The impact of mentorship can be significant, and it is a simple yet effective way for companies to show their commitment to the growth and development of the city.
So how about it, would you open your doors to the founder of the next billion-dollar idea?
