How to Find a Mentor in the Space Industry
TL;DR: To find a mentor in the space industry, get specific about what you need, then look where experienced people already help others: incubators, small business advisory programs, communities, conferences and your own network. Ask for one focused conversation, not a lifelong commitment, come prepared, follow up with results and let the relationship grow from there.
Key takeaways
- Decide what kind of help you need before you ask anyone.
- Many structured programs, such as incubators and small business advisors, include mentoring.
- A small, specific ask works better than "will you be my mentor?"
- Keep mentors updated on what you did with their advice.
Why does a mentor matter in the space industry?
The space industry has long sales cycles, technical risk, regulation and a small, connected community. A mentor who has been through it can help you:
- Avoid expensive mistakes in product, funding and sales.
- Understand buyers, from agencies to operators.
- Get introductions to customers, partners and investors.
- Make decisions with an outside perspective.
If you are just starting, our guide to starting a space business without an aerospace degree pairs well with this one.
What kind of mentor do you need?
Different stages call for different help:
| Need | Look for |
|---|---|
| Technical direction | Senior engineers or scientists in your field |
| Selling to government | People who have won or managed government contracts |
| Commercial sales | Leaders who have sold to operators or primes |
| Fundraising | Founders who have raised for space companies, investors |
| Company building | Experienced founders and operators |
You may need more than one mentor. That is normal.
Where can you find a space industry mentor?
- Incubators and accelerators. ESA Business Incubation Centres list support from experts, business coaching and access to networks among their offers for early European space startups. Our guide to accelerators and incubators shows how to pick the right program.
- Small business advisory programs. In the U.S., the SBA's resource partners offer counseling, training and mentoring, including Small Business Development Centers and SCORE business mentors. They may not be space specialists, but they can help with business fundamentals.
- Communities. Online and local founder communities connect you with people a few steps ahead. See our list of the best communities for space entrepreneurs. If you are choosing a community platform, our guide to Skool vs Discord compares two common options.
- Conferences and events. Talks, panels and side events are good places to meet experienced people.
- Your extended network. Former colleagues, professors, alumni and investors often know someone. Our guide to space industry networking shows how to grow it.
- Content. People who write and speak publicly about space business are often open to thoughtful questions. Our best space industry newsletters list is a good start.
How do you ask someone to be your mentor?
Do not lead with "will you be my mentor?" It asks for an undefined commitment. Instead:
- Do your homework on their work and background.
- Ask a specific question they are well placed to answer.
- Request a short conversation, such as 20 minutes.
- Make it easy: offer times and keep the message short.
Example:
Hi Sam, I read your talk on selling to satellite operators. We're a two-person team building a ground software tool and we're stuck on how to run our first pilot. Would you be open to a 20-minute call in the next few weeks? I'd value your view on structuring it.
How do you keep a mentor relationship useful?
- Come prepared with context and specific questions.
- Act on advice and report back on what happened.
- Respect their time and keep meetings focused.
- Offer value back, such as introductions, insights or help with something they care about.
- Let it grow naturally. Many strong mentorships start as a few helpful conversations.
What mistakes should you avoid?
- Asking too broadly or too soon.
- Treating a mentor as free consulting without giving anything back.
- Ignoring advice without explaining why.
- Relying on one person for every question.
- Confusing mentors with cofounders. If you need a partner, see our guide to finding a cofounder for a space startup.
Looking for founders and operators to learn from? Join Space Entrepreneurs, our free Skool community. For the bigger picture, see how to become a space entrepreneur and the space marketing guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find a mentor in the space industry?
Decide what help you need, then look in incubators, small business advisory programs, founder communities, conferences and your network. Ask for one focused conversation to start.
How do you ask someone to be your mentor?
Do not ask for an open-ended commitment. Ask a specific question, request a short call, make scheduling easy and follow up with what you did with their advice.
Are there free mentoring programs for space startups?
Some programs offer mentoring at no cost, such as SBA resource partners in the U.S., though they may not be space specialists. Incubators such as ESA Business Incubation Centres include expert support for accepted startups.
How many mentors should a space founder have?
There is no set number. Many founders have a few mentors, each helping with a different area, such as technology, sales or fundraising.
What is the difference between a mentor and an advisor?
A mentor usually gives informal guidance. An advisor often has a more formal role, sometimes with an agreement and compensation, and may be listed publicly with your company.
Want to work through this with other space founders?
Join Space Entrepreneurs, free. Space Entrepreneurs is the free Skool community I host for founders who are starting, marketing and growing space companies. Bring your questions, share what you are working on and learn from people building in the same industry.
