> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.saalse.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.saalse.com/startup-mentor.md).

# Startup Mentor

### Topics

* **Business Model**: Idea validation and projecting profitable unit economics.
* **Product Strategy**: From lean MVP to state-of-the-art AI tech.
* **Traction & GTM**: Growth hacking from the first sale to $1M+ ARR.
* **Fundraising**: Mastering the pitch, data room, and strategy for closing rounds.

### Background

I have 25 years in tech, with 3 exits and 10 failures.

In 2010, I founded [dvhb](https://dvhb.com), a startup R\&D studio where I engaged with more than 1000 entrepreneurs and executives across Europe, the US, and Asia. This made me global and industry-agnostic.

Over the last two years, I trained at [VC Lab](https://govclab.com/venture-institute/) with distinction, got hands-on at [Func Ventures](https://www.func.vc/), made angel bets, and published a [MondayVC](https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7183307817238294528/) for 1,200+ readers.

I know how founders think, how investors assess, and how to bridge the two.

<figure><img src="/files/uiLzCMlI5q9n2AiNKqWS" alt=""><figcaption><p>Office Hours, 500 Global</p></figcaption></figure>

### Why I mentor?

* **Giving back:** I believe in collective good. Many have supported me in ways I can't directly repay, so I pay it forward.
* **Learn:** I guide founders across industries and geo. It feeds my curiosity and widens my lens.
* **Mental Fitness:** Solving real business puzzles keeps me sharp. Trained in conceptual math, I find paths around obstacles.
* **Improving:** Guiding others helps me retrieve and refine my own knowledge. Each mentoring session is mutual growth.

### **Ready to Collaborate**

👉 If you're seeking mentorship for your program or startup, [let's connect](/contacts.md).

<figure><img src="/files/8qdokmGLUUQAwv1A0pOL" alt=""><figcaption><p>Funding Session, Founder Institute Hong Kong</p></figcaption></figure>

### Mentoring & Talks Logbook

* **Jul'25–Present — NUS Enterprise BLOCK71 Singapore (hybrid)**\
  Program Mentor (1:1s) — Strategy and founder support
* **Jul'24–Present — 500 Global (remote)**\
  Mentor (1:1s) — Founder support
* **Sep–Nov'25 — Founder Institute Vietnam Autumn 2025 (remote)**\
  Global Mentor (Office Hours, 1:1s) — Founder support
* **Sep–Nov'25 — Founder Institute South Asia 2025 (remote)**\
  Global Mentor (Office Hours, 1:1s) — Founder support in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan
* **Sep–Oct'25 — Founder Institute Australia Spring 2025 (remote)**\
  Global Mentor (Pitch Sessions, 1:1s) — Idea pitch review
* **Jul–Sep'25 — NUS Enterprise BLOCK71 Vietnam (in-person)**\
  Mentor-in-residence — Ecosystem networking and 1:1 founder support
* **Jul'25** **— Founder Institute Hong Kong 2025 (remote)**\
  Global Mentor (Pitch Session) — Investor Progress Review
* **May'25 — ACE.SG Saudi Founder Program, Singapore (remote)**\
  Guest Mentor (1:1s) — Market expansion, Fundraising, Founder support
* **April-May'25 — Founder Institute Australia & New Zealand Summer 2025 (remote)**\
  Global Mentor (Pitch Sessions, 1:1s) — Idea & Investor pitch review, Founder support
* **Feb'25 — Founder Institute Vietnam Spring 2025 (remote)**\
  Global Mentor (Pitch Session) — Investor pitch review
* **Jan'25 — Founder Institute Pakistan @ National Incubation Centre, Islamabad (remote)**\
  Featured Mentor (Pitch Session) — Investor pitch review
* **Dec'24 — 500 Global in Eurasia (remote)**\
  Mentor (Workshop, 1:1s) — Networking strategy
* **Sep–Nov'24 — Huawei Spark Incubator Cohort 3, Singapore (in-person & remote)**\
  Resident Mentor (Workshops, 1:1s) — Fundraising strategy, Founder support
* **Sep–Nov'24 — Founder Institute Vietnam 2024 (remote)**\
  Global Mentor (Talks & Pitch Session, 1:1s) — Investor pitch review, Funding
* **Nov'24 — Data-Driven Fundraising Workshop (remote)**\
  Workshop Host — Early-stage funding strategy, Investor targeting, Raise planning
* **Jun–Sep'24 — Founder Institute Hong Kong 2024 (remote)**\
  Global Mentor (Talks & Pitch Session, 1:1s) — Growth, Funding, Investor pitch review
* **Sep'24 — Apple Developer Academy Indonesia, Bali (in-person)**\
  Guest Speaker (Talk) — Funding MVP development at idea stage
* **Sep'24 — Founder Institute Australia & New Zealand Spring 2024 (remote)**\
  Global Mentor (Pitch Session, 1:1s) — Investor pitch review, Founder support
* **Sep'24 — MonJa Accelerator, Mongolia (remote)**\
  External Mentor (Talk & Pitch Session) — Fundraising strategy, Investor pitch review
* **Jul–Aug'24 — Founder Institute Bali, Indonesia (remote)**\
  Resident Mentor (Pitch Sessions) — Idea review, Product development, Investor pitch review
* **Jun'24 — 500 Global in Eurasia Batch 6, Georgia (in-person)**\
  Visiting Mentor (Workshops, 1:1s, Demo Day) — Fundraising, Pitch review, Founder Support
* **Feb–May'24 — Founder Institute Australia & New Zealand Summer 2024 (remote)** Mentor Global Mentor (Pitch Session, 1:1s) — Idea & Investor pitch review, Founder support
* **Nov'23–Feb'24 — Founder Institute Malaysia 2023, Kuala Lumpur (in-person & remote)**\
  Global Mentor (Talks & Sessions, 1:1s) — GTM, Investor pitch review, Founder support
* **Dec'23 — Founder Institute Singapore (remote)**\
  Guest Mentor (Pitch Session, 1:1s) — Investor pitch review, Founder support
* **Oct–Nov'23 — ICP Disruptives Accelerator Indonesia, Bali (in-person & remote)**\
  Resident Mentor (Talks & Pitch Session) — Market research, Sales strategy, Pitch review
* **Sep'23 — Founder Institute Bali, Indonesia (remote)**\
  Guest Mentor (Pitch Session) — Investor pitch review
* **Jul'20 — SkillFactory Online School, Russia (remote)**\
  Guest Lecturer (Webinar & Video) — Remote collaboration and distributed team management
* **Feb'16 — Atlassian User Group Meetup at Yandex, Moscow, Russia (in-person)**\
  Guest Speaker (Talk) — Managing outsourced dev teams with JIRA: automation, sales & HR
* **May'16 — Higher School of Economics (HSE), Moscow, Russia (in-person)**\
  Guest Lecturer (Talk) — Project & team management
* **Jan'16 — IKRA School of Innovation, Moscow, Russia (in-person)**\
  Workshop Facilitator — Project & team management
* **2015–2016 — Territory of Meanings Youth Forum, Vladimir, Russia (in-person)**\
  IT Jury Expert & Guest Speaker (Talk) — Dream team building, Startup evaluations
* **2010 — InSales eCommerce Workshop Series, Moscow & St. Petersburg, Russia (in-person)**\
  Guest Speaker (Talks) — Assortment strategy, Pricing, Online store operations
* **Sep'10 — SalesJump Masterclass @ HSE Business Incubator, Moscow, Russia (in-person)**\
  Panelist & Mentor (Roundtable & Workshop) — eCommerce case reviews, Online store strategy
* **Mar'10 — Internet Liga Business Conference, Kyiv, Ukraine (in-person)**\
  Guest Speaker (Conference Talk) — Assortment strategy & pricing in eCommerce
* **Feb'10 — Online Retail Russia 2010 Forum, Moscow (in-person)**\
  Panelist & Speaker (Plenary & Breakout Sessions) — eCommerce logistics, Assortment strategy, Pricing, Multichannel retail trends
* **Aug'09 — Electronic Commerce 2009 Conference, Moscow, Russia (in-person)**\
  Speaker (Conference & Expert Council) — Outsourced logistics in eCommerce

<figure><img src="/files/UI5Qz6Y7uoNCa4osDQb7" alt=""><figcaption><p>Fundraising Workshop, Huawei Spark Singapore</p></figcaption></figure>

## Startup Mentor in Accelerators

If you're a founder from any of the accelerators listed below — including alumni — you're welcome to book a free online session with me.

If you're *considering* joining one of these programs, I’m happy to walk you through the pros and cons based on your specific stage, market, or team.

👉 [Reach out here](https://www.saalse.com/contacts)

### **500 Global Mentor**

<div align="left"><figure><picture><source srcset="/files/gR3SVwSw7tNpxvRV5erb" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/V1I2XZxzcJaXnY6racxh" alt="" width="149"></picture><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

500 Global is a top early-stage venture capital firm and seed accelerator with over $2.3B in AUM. It has invested in over 2,600 companies across 80 countries, including 25 unicorns like Canva, Grab, Udemy, Intercom, and Gitlab.

### **Founder Institute Mentor**

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/vQebm0ZqTaAMUlAeJ96r" alt="" width="247"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

The [Founder Institute](https://fi.co) is an Silicon Valley idea and early-stage startup accelerator with chapters across 100 countries. Since 2009, it has helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1.75 billion in funding and operates in 200+ cities globally.&#x20;