As an entrepreneur with a background in multiple areas of the tech ecosystem, San Diego, California-based Alex Hern brings more than a quarter century of experience to his leadership of Tsunami XR, Inc., the immersive software-solutions corporation he founded five years ago. Additionally the CEO of the intelligent-messaging platform company Tags, Alex Hern also devotes his energies toward mentoring the next generation of tech entrepreneurs through participation on numerous advisory boards.
Experts point out that the ideal tech mentor will possess a depth of insider industry knowledge and be able to communicate with a mentee by offering not only specific problem-solving strategies, but also general support and guidance. The best mentors, according to a range of thought leaders, are individuals who themselves started out as new entrepreneurs and learned how to scale up their own businesses.
Ideally, these are people with ongoing roles in the tech community who are enthusiastic about sharing their networks and connections in order to help those they coach. They are also willing to share their authentic insights, failures, and successes freely and provide direct and sometimes tough constructive criticism.
A mentor in the tech world often gains as much from the relationship as the mentees. The mentor receives the satisfaction of not only boosting the career of a promising new entrepreneur, but also playing a role in helping to shape the future of technology and society in positive ways.
