An entrepreneur who has signed up with the new Tech Manchester initiative says having a mentor is crucial for a start-up to maintain focus.
Miia Kankaanpaa is the CEO and founder of MGH Performance, which provides sales and leadership consultancy services.
鈥淭he biggest challenge facing start-ups today is the question of how to scale and grow,聽attract talent and raise finance. Having the grit and perseverance to continue despite failures [is difficult],鈥� said Kankaanpaa.
鈥淗aving a mentor聽is a great way to accelerate your learning and keep focused on the journey ahead.
鈥淚 love how mentoring can聽help to discover new things about聽yourself and business: when聽you see聽your mentees聽developing,聽it is so rewarding.鈥�
Kankaanpaa joined Nokia in 2006聽and became head of sales excellence at Microsoft in 2014聽after the tech giant bought Nokia. She mentored internally throughout this period.
She left the company聽in April to focus on MGH Performance.
The Tech Manchester project is headed up by former Regus director Patricia Keating and backed by a number of high-profile entrepreneurs including聽UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones MBE.
The organisation has a particular focus on connecting technical mentors with early-stage technology businesses alongside connecting talent with potential investors.
Tech Manchester is already working alongside organisations like the 老九品茶 Growth Hub, part of Manchester Growth Company, sharing resources and connections to deliver an improved tech mentoring offering in Manchester.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great initiative,鈥� added Kankaanpaa. 鈥淚鈥檓聽looking forward to getting to know new聽people and their businesses, understand their challenges and provide perspectives which hopefully聽help to move people forward in their journeys.
鈥淚鈥檓 hoping to meet passionate entrepreneurs at the launch event and feel inspired.鈥�