Entrepreneurs and representatives from start-ups gained advice from some of the island’s business leaders at a ’speed mentoring’ session organised by Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce.

It was held at the organisation’s headquarters at Barclays Eagle Lab in Douglas, and was part of the ’Knowledge Connex’ initiative.

All of the 35 entrepreneurs and business start-ups who attended had 15 minutes with each topic mentor and to ask questions to the mentor panel. The event also provided networking opportunities.

The mentors were:

Carol Glover from Carol Glover Coaching;

Andy McLarney, senior manager, Pinnacle Book-Keeping;

Luke Adebiyi, client engagement lead, Capital International Group;

Alison Teare, owner and founder of Simply Marketing;

Gary Lamb, chief executive, Manx Telecom;

Gail Yeowell, owner of Smart HR;

Dave Andrews, chief executive, SteriFibre;

Eddy Kewin, managing director, Manx Professional & Educational Services Ltd;

Stuart Colligon, director of Auxesia and chairman of Panacea;

Gary Shilling, business development manager, IT Works.

Rebecca George, chief executive, Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce, thanked all of the attendees and mentors who supported the event.

She said: ’Knowledge Connex is an Isle of Man Chamber initiative which we launched earlier this year.

’It is an initiative based around mentoring and knowledge that allows entrepreneurs to benefit from the extensive knowledge, experience, and expertise among our members from established businesses.

’This provides a valuable resource not only regarding business in the Isle of Man, but also in terms of practical, real world, experiences about the many pitfalls and challenges one can face when starting out in business. The speed mentoring session was organised in response to feedback from Isle of Man entrepreneurs and start-ups and it was a very valuable and insightful event.

’Through Knowledge Connex we aim to build on this success to develop more events in the coming months.’

The Chamber of Commerce is also supporting new businesses by offering free membership for start-ups.

The scheme has proven to be popular with more than 85 new businesses joining in just over two months since it was launched.

At the speed mentoring event organised by Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce are, left to right, Simone Manley and Geraldine Sowrey, both from Blank Canvas, Alison Teare, Simply Marketing) and John Keggin, Island Escapes