Let’s be honest, start-up life moves fast. You're building, testing, pitching, failing, pivoting, learning... all at once. In the middle of that whirlwind, having someone experienced to talk to can make a huge difference.

That’s where mentorship comes in. At AceON Accelerator, we’ve brought together a community of amazing mentors - from founders who’ve been through it all, to experts in product, marketing, fundraising, legal, and more. They’re here to help you ask better questions, make smarter decisions, and avoid some of the classic start-up traps. But here's the thing: just having access to mentors isn’t enough. The real value comes from knowing how to use that access well.

In this article, we’ll show you how to make the most of your mentoring experience at AceON. You'll find practical tips, common mistakes to avoid, and real insights from mentors who’ve seen hundreds of start-ups in action. Whether you're stuck on strategy or just need a sanity check, this is your guide to getting the most out of every session.

1. Understand the value of mentorship

Mentorship isn’t about someone handing you a magic playbook or fixing your business overnight (sorry, no silver bullets here). It’s about perspective, pattern recognition, and sometimes a well-timed reality check. Great mentors don’t give you all the answers - they help you ask better questions. They’ve seen the movie before. They know where the plot twists usually happen, where most start-ups get stuck, and how to tell the difference between a “hard problem” and a “wrong direction.”

So, what can you actually get out of it?

• Clarity – you’re deep in the weeds; mentors help you zoom out.
• Feedback – honest, no-BS input from someone who isn’t trying to spare your feelings.
• Confidence – sometimes, you are on the right path - you just need to hear it from someone who's been there.
• Connections – if a mentor believes in what you’re building, they might open doors you didn’t even know existed.

The bottom line? Mentorship is one of the most powerful growth hacks in any accelerator, if you treat it as more than a checkbox.

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2. Prepare before every mentor session

Mentorship time is gold. Don’t show up like it’s just another Zoom in your calendar. Think of it like a pitch meeting, except instead of pitching for money, you’re pitching for clarity. If you want real, useful advice, you’ve got to bring the context.

Here’s how to show up like a pro:

• Do your homework – Look up the mentor. What’s their background? What have they built or invested in? What kind of stuff do they care about? This helps you tailor the conversation and ask smarter questions.
• Have a goal – “Come with a goal. Know what you want out of the session. Even better, send a short brief in advance: “Here’s where we are, here’s what we’re struggling with, here’s what we’d love to explore with you.” It shows respect for time and lets us go deeper, faster,” says Pavol Magic, CEO & co-founder at Zoniq.
• Bring materials – A short deck, your latest KPIs, a quick product demo - whatever helps the mentor understand where you are. No need for polish. Just clarity.
• Ask specific questions – Generic questions get generic answers. Instead of “What do you think of our pitch?” try “What’s missing in the story that would make you want to invest?”
• Come in with a clear business focus – “The best sessions usually happen when founders know what they want to unpack - whether it's testing a strategic decision, refining a go-to-market approach, or evaluating trade-offs,” says Martina Hanusova, Chief Sales Officer, Payout.

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3. Be open to feedback and challenge assumptions

Let’s be real: feedback isn’t always easy to hear, especially when you’ve poured your soul into your start-up. But that’s exactly why it’s so valuable. Mentors aren’t here to pat you on the back. They’re here to push you, challenge you, and sometimes make you question everything (in the best way possible).

Here’s how to make feedback your secret weapon:

• Stay coachable – Even if you disagree, listen. Take notes. Let it sit. The best founders don’t react - they reflect. You don’t have to take every piece of advice, but you do have to consider it.
• Test, don’t defend – If a mentor challenges your strategy, don’t go into “explain and defend” mode. Instead, ask: “What would you test first if you were in my shoes?” That mindset opens doors instead of shutting them.
• Look for patterns – One mentor says X? Interesting. Two say X? Pay attention. Three say X? Might be time to rethink.
• It’s not personal – Challenging your idea ≠ challenging you. Good mentors challenge you because they want you to win.

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4. Follow up and build relationships

A great mentoring session doesn’t end when the call drops. The real magic? It’s in the follow-up.

Keep it simple:

• Send a quick thank you email.
• Recap your key takeaways.
• Let them know what you’re doing next.

This takes 5 minutes and builds long-term trust. Plus, mentors love seeing that their input had an impact. Stay in touch. Share progress updates. You never know - today’s mentor could be tomorrow’s advisor, angel investor, or biggest supporter.

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5. Leverage the collective wisdom

Don’t just stick to one mentor. AceON gives you access to a whole squad of experts - use it!

• Different mentors = different angles.
• Product stuck? Talk to a builder.
• Fundraising stress? Ping an investor.
• Hiring chaos? Tap into someone who’s scaled a team.

Pro tip:

Mix 1:1s with group sessions. Ask the same question to 3 mentors. Watch the patterns (or contradictions) emerge. That’s where the real insight lives.

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6. Common pitfalls to avoid

Even the most promising start-ups can miss out on the value of mentoring by slipping into a few easy traps. Here’s what to watch for:

• Lack of preparation - If you don’t bring context or clear questions, mentors can’t offer targeted advice. Be ready.
• Looking for praise instead of perspective - Mentorship isn’t about hearing “you’re doing great”, it’s about finding blind spots and pressure-testing your thinking.
• Ignoring or dismissing feedback - You don’t have to agree with everything, but reflect on it. Feedback is only useful if you engage with it.
• No follow-up - Mentors give their time because they care. A simple update later on builds trust and shows that their input mattered.

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Conclusion

Mentorship isn’t just a perk of the accelerator—it’s a powerful tool for faster, smarter growth. When founders come prepared, stay open, and build real connections, great things happen. Use the network, stay curious, and make every session count.

“A valuable mentorship session is one where there’s clarity of purpose, honesty in feedback, and a real shift in perspective or momentum afterward. I’ve found the most productive sessions start with a clear problem or decision the founder is facing, not a vague “we want general advice.” That way we can dig in, challenge assumptions, and either validate a path or pivot it. Also, the best sessions aren’t monologues. They’re sharp conversations where both sides are engaged and unafraid to ask hard questions,”  adds Pavol Magic.

“For me, a truly valuable mentorship session happens when both sides come in with openness, focus, and a clear intention to move the business forward. It's not just about sharing advice - it's about creating a space for strategic thinking. Often, the most impactful moments come when we’re able to step back from day-to-day execution and zoom out to reflect on the bigger picture: business model dynamics, growth levers, or decision bottlenecks. I find it especially meaningful when the conversation turns into a real exchange - where I also learn something new, whether it’s about the market, a founder’s unique approach, or even challenging my own assumptions. Those moments create lasting value,” concludes Martina Hanusova.

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Want access to top-tier mentors who’ve been there, built that, and are ready to help you grow? Apply now for the AceON Accelerator Autumn Batch and take your start-up to the next level with expert support by your side.‍‍‍

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