How do I find a technical mentor?
Quick Answer
Join communities where builders hang out, be helpful to others, and build in public. Mentorship often develops organically from relationships, not formal arrangements.
Full Explanation
Finding a mentor is one of the best ways to accelerate your learning, but formal 'mentorship programs' are often less effective than organic relationships.
Where to find potential mentors:
Online communities:
- Discord servers for AI tools you use (Lovable, Bolt communities)
- Indie Hackers community
- Twitter/X (follow builders, engage genuinely with their work)
- Reddit communities (r/SideProject, r/startups)
Local communities (Melbourne-specific):
- Melbourne startup meetups
- Silicon Beach Australia
- Local tech co-working spaces
- University startup programs (even if you're not a student, some are accessible)
How to develop mentor relationships:
1. Be visible: Share what you're building, ask thoughtful questions, help others when you can.
2. Be specific: 'Can you help me understand why my database query is slow?' works better than 'Will you be my mentor?'
3. Provide value: Even as a beginner, you can offer perspective, test products, or help with non-technical tasks.
4. Be respectful of time: Experienced people get many requests. Come prepared, be efficient, express gratitude.
5. Let relationships develop naturally: Mentorship often emerges from repeated helpful interactions rather than formal arrangements.
Alternatives to traditional mentorship:
- Paid office hours with experienced developers
- Fractional CTOs who advise multiple startups
- Online communities where experts answer questions
Related Questions
Do I need a technical co-founder?
Not necessarily, especially early on. AI tools let you build and validate without one. But as you scale, having technical expertise on the team becomes increasingly valuable.
What's the Melbourne tech scene like?
Melbourne has a vibrant tech ecosystem with strong fintech and SaaS communities. It's smaller than Sydney but more collaborative, with good access to talent and growing investor interest.
Are there AI coding communities I can join?
Yes, many. Discord servers for specific tools (Lovable, Cursor), Twitter/X builder communities, and local meetups are the most active. Online communities are often more helpful than local ones for technical questions.
Get Hands-On Answers at Buildday Melbourne
Stop reading about building apps and start actually building. Join our one-day workshop and get your questions answered while creating something real.
Related Questions
Do I need a technical co-founder?
Not necessarily, especially early on. AI tools let you build and validate without one. But as you scale, having...
What's the Melbourne tech scene like?
Melbourne has a vibrant tech ecosystem with strong fintech and SaaS communities. It's smaller than Sydney but more...
Are there AI coding communities I can join?
Yes, many. Discord servers for specific tools (Lovable, Cursor), Twitter/X builder communities, and local meetups are...
How do I stay updated on new AI tools?
Follow key builders and newsletters on Twitter/X, join tool-specific Discord servers, and don't chase every new tool....
Is AI-generated code production ready?
It can be, but it requires review and testing. AI code is a starting point, not a finished product-treat it like hiring...
Do VCs fund non-technical founders?
Yes, but it's harder. VCs care most about traction, market insight, and your ability to execute. Having a technical...