Our mentors work with the founders and executives of start-up and early-stage IT businesses.

Notwithstanding your seniority in your profession, if at some point in your career you haven't been in such a position yourself, you may find it difficult to understand the issues that start-up and early-stage businesses face, and you may wish to reflect on whether this type of mentoring is right for you.

You may also wish to look at our advice to entrepreneurs about the mentoring style that we favour.

In addition to your experience with the type of companies that you are likely to encounter, you should have should have a genuine enthusiasm for start-up and early-stage businesses.

The following qualities are also indicative of a good mentor:

• Having invested your own money in a business venture
• Having international commercial experience
• Having been a non-executive director
• Having your own business interests
• Having prior experience of mentoring or coaching