
Founder Insights
How to Become an Advisor: A Beginner's Guide
I often get asked how I got into advising startup founders or how you go about getting your first advisor role so I thought I would share some reflections and a helpful guide.
Founders are hungry for guidance - needing the kind of short-term, impactful advice that will help them unlock and navigate those next critical steps in their startup journey. At the same time, in conversations with my peers, I’m hearing a lot of seasoned leaders stepping back from those much-needed advisory roles or leaving the space altogether. That’s why I believe it’s more important than ever to help usher in the next generation of advisory talent.
Speaking from experience, becoming an advisor is incredibly rewarding. Sharing your wisdom, staying connected, and making a tangible impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem is a powerful way to give back to the system that has given us so much. So if you’ve ever thought about stepping into an advisory role, the time is NOW.
But how do you get your foot in the door? In this guide, we’ll break down the different kinds of advisory roles, help you identify your unique advisory superpower, and share a practical roadmap to getting started - from building your network to defining your niche.
Advisory Roles: One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Advisory roles come in all shapes and sizes—some are paid, others unpaid. You might be an investor offering strategic insight, a coach helping to refine leadership skills, or even a trusted friend to the founders, providing a sounding board for big decisions. These roles are distinct from Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), who carry formal governance responsibilities and typically focus on compliance, oversight, and long-term strategy (don’t worry, Ill cover these in more detail in a future article). Advisors, on the other hand, are all about targeted, real-time guidance tailored to what a business needs at that specific moment.
Your role as an advisor might involve investing your time, money, or both to help a company move the dial. But to be truly impactful, you need to understand what you bring to the table.
So how do you get started?
Find your superpower
To be an effective advisor, you need to offer value that aligns with the challenges and goals of the business or early-stage founder you’ll be working with.
You need to think about the expertise, insights, and experiences that set you apart. Have you scaled a company before? Navigated complex funding rounds? Built a winning go-to-market strategy? Identify your superpower.
Don’t fall into the trap of trying to advise a business simply because you like them or they’re an exciting, cool brand - that’s not enough! Look for challenges that you can help tackle, not ‘sexy businesses’ to work with. If you haven’t been on a similar journey or have lots of value to add, you won’t be able to give them what they really need.
It’s important to move away from a generalist mindset. Be hyper-focused on those areas you can really impact and make sure to match them with the needs of the startup you’ll be advising.
Build your network
Start by reaching out to existing contacts and let them know you’re interested in pursuing advisory roles.
Make a point to attend networking events, both in person and online, and join relevant industry associations to expand your network and meet fellow advisors and founders in need of your expertise. The more people you connect with, the more opportunities you’ll uncover.
Keep going, keep growing
Patience is key when it comes to building your reputation as an advisor. It’s unlikely that you’ll land your first advisory role overnight, so focus on the long game.
Establish yourself as a trusted expert in your field. It’s important to be persistent; keep putting yourself out there, attending events, engaging with your network, and honing your expertise. With consistency and dedication, the right opportunities will start to unfold.
Set clear boundaries
From the outset, be upfront about the specific areas you can advise on and the level of involvement you’re able to commit to. Whether you’re offering strategic insight, mentoring, or operational guidance, make sure both you and the organisation are aligned on expectations.
Regular communication with leadership is key to staying on track and ensuring you’re providing the right kind of support at the right time. Clear boundaries not only protect your time but also guarantee your impact will be both effective and sustainable.
Anyone who knows me knows that I’m passionate about the incredible impact advisors can have, and I’ve been fortunate to experience this firsthand as an advisor to a select number of amazing companies. Becoming an advisor has been life-changing - it’s not only allowed me to give back, but it’s also kept me connected, inspired, and constantly learning.
When you reach a point in your career where you can reflect on your achievements, it's time to think about how you can plant that wisdom in new businesses. Don’t let your knowledge go to waste - it’s time to step into an advisory role and make a lasting impact.