I spoke with +80 mentors in 7 days. Here’s how to make a great impression on them

I spoke with +80 mentors in 7 days via Techstars about my AI startup. Here’s what I learned to make a great impression on mentors

1- Do your homework 🔍

Mentors are giving up their time to help you, so show respect by being prepared. Read their profiles, know their expertise, and be clear about what you need. Respect their time by showing you’ve done the work.

2- Drop the ego 🙈

If you act like you’ve got it all figured out, the mentor won’t know how they can help. Be honest about your challenges - real growth starts with vulnerability. I usually open up with, "We’re struggling with ABC, and I’d love your insights."

3- Be human 😃

Simple but powerful: Smile, listen, follow up, and say thank you. At the end of the day, just be a decent & genuine person, it goes a long way in building lasting relationships.

4- Get a warm intro 🤝

Honestly, without Techstars, it would’ve been much harder for me to connect with mentors. Warm intros open doors, but it’s up to you to walk through them. Once you’re in, follow the steps above to make the connection count.

Before this, I didn’t fully grasp the value of having a mentor. Now I do. They can help you avoid mistakes and guide you from their experience.