The Best Mentorship is Free, Insights from David Cohen
In this monologue, David Cohen recounts how he established an initial mentor network in Boulder in 2007, holding about 100 meetings. When confronted with a question about personal benefit, he responded that the only compensation was a free lunch, emphasizing that his mentorship was not driven by financial gain. He explains that mentors, like himself, seek non‑financial rewards: engagement with other high‑quality individuals, mutual learning, and intellectual stimulation. Cohen also highlights that mentorship serves as a filter, helping him and his peers sift through a flood of requests to identify promising entrepreneurs and companies worth investing time in. The overall message is that free mentorship thrives on reciprocal learning, community building, and strategic filtering rather than direct monetary incentives.
