Insight certainty 3/5 debate potential 2/5

Seek mentors through inner circles, not cold LinkedIn outreach

Kent Godfrey · 20 VC 005: Be The Best CEO with Kent Godfrey · Jan 19, 2015 · at 5:53

Kent Godfrey, partner at Pond Ventures, responds to host Harry Stebbings regarding the best methods for founders to obtain mentorship.

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“I would more use the inner circle, more, more you know, people that you have just by happenstance met along the way.”

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