Singapore is home to various tech startups, many of which have become highly successful. A Statista study shows that out of the 4,000 registered startups in the country, 20 achieved unicorn status — six of which operate within the communication and technology sector.

These statistics indicate that Singapore is enabling a robust environment for new business and is nurturing a startup culture. Nonetheless, enterprises will inevitably face significant challenges in their early stages. This is where the provision of mentoring can have an immensely positive impact.

Taking advantage of mentoring opportunities

Based on my personal experience working with The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), it is clear that taking advantage of mentoring opportunities enables startups to stay competitive and gain crucial industry and local knowledge that allows them to inspire true and lasting social change.

A capable and seasoned mentor can offer entrepreneurs crucial advice, support, and expertise, acting as a sounding board based on their own experiences. Such intimate and insightful conversations will enable entrepreneurs to sharpen their ideas, improve their decisions and streamline their operations, maximising the likelihood of success. Recognising these benefits, many successful companies are utilising mentorship to achieve the best possible results.

Furthermore, from a government perspective, providing mentoring programs and promoting participation in them can significantly boost a country’s business environment leading to improved levels of innovation and decreased unemployment.

Startups in the technology industry are motivated by the desire to solve issues in novel ways. Such technologies can fundamentally transform how businesses and perhaps entire nations approach problems and find long-term solutions. Because I can see the benefits it brings to both parties, I am passionate about fostering government partnerships with entrepreneurs through mentoring programs.

Local and federal governments now realise the importance of collaborating with startups early on and supporting them in several ways. This includes the provision of mentorship programs. By working together with mentors, governments and startups can both benefit — the startups succeed by providing solutions to societal challenges that governments are looking to tackle.

Furthermore, improving the access and users of mentorship will help to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurial talent, resulting in a better entrepreneurial culture both globally and within Singapore. The World Economic Forum, for instance, found that government initiatives promoting networking and cooperation through incubator programs encourage more entrepreneurship.

Mentorship initiatives have aided startups

My experience in Abu Dhabi has shown that numerous government organisations have and still offer mentorship opportunities to the tech sector in various fields. We take this action because we understand the importance of the solutions that these businesses are creating and how using these technologies will help the government to be better informed and equipped to address social problems.

Programs can be created that enable entrepreneurs to develop the skills necessary to not only learn from business leaders and build a supportive community but to excel in their endeavours. Startups can benefit immensely from these mentorship possibilities.

According to my personal experience, mentorship initiatives have aided startups in their efforts to comprehend the local culture in which they operate and the larger ecosystem of which they are a part. Additionally, coaching is offered by experienced individuals on various crucial issues, such as locating product markets, developing marketing plans and managing finances.

To create meaningful social change, we need such programs to help innovative startups grow and develop more swiftly and successfully. Through successful partnerships in the form of mentorship, governments and startups can join efforts to influence social change and address some of the most obvious problems confronting society.

Within the early childhood development sector, for example, the growing amount of time young children are spending in front of screens is a significant and pervasive topic of concern for parents, educators and medical professionals.

In conjunction with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), the ECA analysed how COVID-19 was affecting children and families throughout the pandemic. This study clearly shows that children between the ages of zero and three have been using screens significantly more often. Many parents worldwide are worried about the impact of screens on their children.

A 2023 National University of Singapore report highlighted that 80 per cent of respondents were concerned about their child’s screen addiction, poor sleep and access to inappropriate content. While 70 per cent were worried about the lack of interaction with their child, 60 per cent were concerned about eyesight and a lack of physical activity. This is one area where collaboration between governmental agencies and tech entrepreneurs can result in advancement.

Governments have the chance to mentor entrepreneurs to assist them in creating technologies that can alleviate such concerns, as there is a lot of potentials to use technology to promote a child’s growth and well-being.

Progress can be made much more quickly and successfully by collaborating with well-known business figures, medical experts, and specialists in early childhood development and by giving them roles within startups developing the technology needed to address these problems. The driving force behind this entire relationship is effective mentoring.

AI-powered tutoring and mentoring

The rise of AI-powered Large Language Model (LLM) tools like ChatGPT also presents new mentorship possibilities. Mentorees can ask questions, request advice and receive feedback clearly, instantaneously, and at no cost.

ChatGPT is revolutionising the way AI-powered tutoring and mentoring are done by using natural language processing and machine learning to provide a more personalised and interactive experience for mentees and mentors.

ChatGPT is designed to help them connect and engage in a more meaningful way as it uses a conversational interface to facilitate real-time conversations between the two parties. This helps to create a more natural and interactive experience, allowing for a more effective exchange of information. Additionally, governments are using AI-based matchmaking platforms to connect startups with the right mentors to seek advice and support for scaling their businesses, of course with precaution.

A supportive ecosystem that develops and grows companies enabling them to attain their full potential, can be created by effective mentorship that offers industry expertise and integrates extensive personal experience.

Although the journey won’t be without its challenges, entrepreneurs can get through them if they have an experienced shoulder to depend on. The value of direction and advice from a company’s start onwards will motivate success.

Today’s rising entrepreneurs will soon transform into the successful mentors of tomorrow, thanks to the cyclical nature of this accomplishment.