Growing small businesses need access to mentors in Ireland [Video]

A new has identified increased access to mentorship as the top ask from growing small businesses in Ireland.

More than half (52%) of the entrepreneurs surveyed acknowledged the benefits of mentorship despite just one in five (20%) currently having a business mentor, according to the research carried out by VISA.

Half of the women business owners also stated that they don’t know how to go about securing a mentor.

Findings from the survey of over 300 small business owners highlighted both the challenges faced and the disparity that still exists between female and male small business owners across the country.

According to Visa’s study, women entrepreneurs continue to come up against several challenges and barriers:

• Access to funding and venture capital – a vital lever for 42% of small business owners. Men are twice as likely as women to have sourced and secured investment for their business (36% men versus 18% women).
• Family support gap – 42% of women pinpointed the …