Entrepreneurs set for speed dates with mentors

Budding entrepreneurs all over Queensland will have a chance to workshop their start-up ideas with mentors as part of the MentorBlaze7 event on Wednesday 5 October.

MentorBlaze is an initiative of The University of Queensland’s ilab, a start-up accelerator that helps founders transition their start-up ideas in to investable companies.

The event coordinates 600 mentor sessions, all in one two­­­-hour event held simultaneously across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Mackay, Ipswich, Rockhampton, Townsville and Toowoomba.

A UQ spokesperson said the University was delighted to support an event that inspired entrepreneurs.

“Regional start-up communities do a great job of inspiring local entrepreneurs, and this event is helping Queenslanders create change by turning ideas into successful businesses.”

The MentorBlaze format allows founders to engage with multiple mentors in fast-paced 20-minute sessions.

ilab Director Bernie Woodcroft said mentoring was a critical part of a start-up founder’s journey.

“The mentors are successful entrepreneurs and founders, investors, experienced executives, start-up technologists and expert service providers,” he said.

“Attendees come from all walks of life – essentially anyone with an idea who is looking to road test their business proposal.”

“MentorBlaze is really unique. Nowhere else can people access multiple high-powered mentor sessions in one place and at one time.

The Brisbane component of the event will be held at The University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus.

Go to www.mentorblaze.com to register for any of the eight locations across Queensland.

Media: ilab Director Bernie Woodcroft, bernie.woodcroft@ilab.com.au, 3346 0728 or 0402 893 117.