Budding entrepreneurs put their ideas to the test

Aspiring entrepreneurs had the opportunity to challenge their start-up ideas with experienced business and industry mentors at the MentorBlaze9 event at The University of Queensland.

MentorBlaze, an initiative of the start-up accelerator ilab UQ, helps founders transition their start-up ideas into investable companies.  

The event, joined by more than 100 participants, coordinated 200 mentoring speed dates all in a one-hour event.

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

Budding entrepreneurs from all walks of life, wanting to test their business ideas, met with mentors from a wide range of backgrounds, from successful entrepreneurs and founders, investors, experienced executives, start-up technologists, expert service providers and recognised academics.

A previous mentee, Founder of StoryboardSocial.com Darren Tonkin, was a mentor at the event.

“I took my startup idea to Mentor Blaze where the mentors challenged my assumptions. The ego took a bit of a beating but it really helped me focus on the important things,” Mr Tonkin said.

“It was a great kick start to my startup journey with StoryboardSocial.com.”

Mentors included UQ Business School’s Dr Anna Jenkins, 3 Round Stones Inc. CEO and UQ PhD student Bernadette Hyland-Wood, Queensland Brain Institute Director of Advancement and Communications Mikaeli Costello, and UniQuest Director of Commercial Engagement and Social Enterprise Anne Bannister.

Ilab’s MentorBlaze is held twice a year.

Media: Bernie Woodcroft, bernie.woodcroft@ilabuq.com.au, 0402 893 117; Samuel Pavin, sam.pavin@ilabuq.com.au, 0438 754 276