Local Enterprise Office – Mentor Clinic. Any good?

Dave!

Hey guys,

So I'm a 26 year old software developer, and am currently unemployed after my employer shut their office in Dublin. I have a big interest in entrepreneurship, and would love to build my own product some day that could turn into a viable business.

I actually have several ideas for applications that I would like to build, and also have prototypes/proof of concepts built for a couple at least. I'm not hugely experienced as a developer, but have enough to at least be able to put together a pretty good web application (not a native app; I'm working on learning about Phonegap and the like).

Anyway, I'm kind of hoping to use this opportunity (free time) to maybe build something that I can get some income from, but I'm probably a bit naive and lacking knowledge in that area. I've got a handful of things built, and I don't want to invest too much money or more time in them unless it's likely that they could become businesses.

I regularly get emails from the Local enterprise office, and they mention free mentor clinics:
https://www.localenterprise.ie/SouthDublin/Training-Events/Mentoring/

I'm wondering if anyone has used these before, are they any good, and would they be appropriate for someone like me?

Thanks for any thoughts

Kendlebell

Dave,

In my experience they can be good and if nothing else another opinion can be helpful. It costs little or nothing so worth having an exploratory meeting to see if it is of value to you.

jetsonx

Your mentor would most probably be some semi-retired businessman who got a cushy job for himself as a "mentor" on the merits that he plays golf with some of members of the local entreprise board.

BTW, the same gentleman still secretly thinks the interweb is really a bit of a "gimmick".

Not exactly Y-Combinator, but this is Ireland.

You might have better luck with something like NDRC.

Duckett

NDRC and other similar incubators are worth exploring. Your LEO is always worth running with as will lead to introductions to useful contacts.

Buttercake

yea i agree with jetsonx

Im involved in a web application thats close to finished and the mentor i got didnt have a bog about what i was working on/on about.

All i wanted was for someone to give guidance and advice on bringing the product to market, i just kept getting sent Microsoft word templates.

the mentors must be good for some businesses but I dont think tech is not their strong point (they may claim otherwise)

terryhobdell

I suppose one of the problems of finding mentors for new technology projects is that those who mentor tend to be those who have reached a point of there careers where they want and can afford to give something back and not many people in the IT sector have yet reached that point. Clearly finding a suitable mentor for specialised business is probably sourced from an industry or focussed body rather than the LEO.
However Jetsonx comment ;
"Your mentor would most probably be some semi-retired businessman who got a cushy job for himself as a "mentor" on the merits that he plays golf with some of members of the local entreprise board.

BTW, the same gentleman still secretly thinks the interweb is really a bit of a "gimmick".

Not exactly Y-Combinator, but this is Ireland. "

Seems to be gratuitously insulting to a group who have given huge support and advice to start ups in the traditional business sectors as far as I am aware without having to play golf!

terryhobdell

By the way the very best to Dave the o p hope you get the project up and running.