Mentoring competition launched for tech start-ups

Digital entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors as part of XMediaLab: Global Media Ideas, a three-day event being held in Sydney next month.

XMediaLab: Global Media Ideas is a two-part event featuring a conference day on June 10 and a mentoring lab from June 11-12, during which digital and internet-oriented businesses work one-on-one with mentors.

XMediaLab is looking for applicants to participate in the mentoring lab, featuring a host of international mentors including venture capitalist Tim Chang and Christopher Tanner, creator of the patented technology now known as Google Earth.

“Applications are now open for digital media, internet, mobile, computer games, commercial media or creative industries entrepreneurs to submit their game-changing idea or project to commercialise or launch into domestic and global markets,” XMediaLab says.

“Applicants should nominate a team of two to six people with the ability to talk about the creative, technical and commercial aspects of their project or idea.”

“If chosen, the team will be one of 16 that will be able to program one-on-one consultations with the world-leading mentors.”

XMediaLab director Megan Elliott says the event will enable digital entrepreneurs to create international networks and gain a better understanding of how to access new growth markets.

However, StartupSmart mentor and online entrepreneur Fred Schebesta argues that entrepreneurs have a better chance of success if mentorship is ongoing, which isn’t provided by the event.

“The Australian digital space needs more help, so this is a positive for the industry, but I’m confused as to what [lab participants] will get out of it,” he says.