Entrepreneur Coach

Salary/Position Classification

• $63,000+ Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus

Purpose of Position

This position is a critical component of the Center for Innovation’s entrepreneurial coaching program staff with a focus on startup growth and fundraising. This position will take leadership for guiding growth ready startups to market, ensuring they have access to appropriate learning, mentorship, and helping startups and the Center with fostering strong funding pathways.
A successful candidate for this position has two key responsibilities: First, is to oversee and manage the execution of accelerator and incubation programs at the Center for Innovation. As part of this responsibility, this position will develop and oversee startup accelerator programs for students, faculty and staff using recognized best practice principles, identify mentors and coordinate a formalized mentorship strategy and program, to name a few key tasks. Second, is to identify, foster and connect founders to startup fundraising opportunities (eg. Venture capital, angel investors, competitions, etc.). This work will involve activities such as assessing, fostering and managing a portfolio of startup capitalization opportunities on a local, state and national level. In addition, this position will assist with grant writing, donor outreach, fostering relationships with key organizational and community stakeholders to ensure technology translation and support of acceleration programs as a sustainability goal for the department.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the execution of entrepreneurial programming focused on startup growth and acceleration to the market.
  • Develop, facilitate and ensure all logistical needs are arranged for the implementation of a startup accelerator curriculum;
  • Revise and maintain a flexible startup accelerator curriculum and demonstrate alignment with current best practice;
  • Recruit and advise start-ups engaged in the accelerator curriculum facilitated by the Center for Innovation;
  • Identify mentors for critical and emerging industry sectors in North Dakota and coordinate a formalized mentorship strategy and program for selected accelerator companies;
  • Assist in the onboarding of mentors, speakers and startup companies engaged with the accelerator program;
  • Facilitate communication between mentors, partners, accelerator participants, etc.
  • Design and administer surveys as well as other metric-capturing tools to capture and analyze accelerator program outcomes.
  • Build foundational expertise in technology transfer and commercialization, helping translate research and innovation into startup opportunities, licensing pathways, and real-world market applications. Support innovators through the commercialization journey by assisting with opportunity validation, market exploration, and connecting technologies to potential partners, investors, and venture pathways. 
• Identify, foster and assist in fundraising activity to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Center’s entrepreneurial programs.
  • Assess, develop, and manage a working portfolio of current start-up startup capitalization opportunities in North Dakota, regionally and nationally with a focus on critical and emerging ND industry sectors, and where gaps exist work to develop and foster new relationships to build high-level opportunities.
  • Work with the CFI team to research, draft, and submit proposals such as grants, foundation applications, awards, etc. to state and federal opportunities.
  • Assist in the submission of reports, as appropriate, to comply with funding requirements of any organization and/or stakeholder supporting the Center’s entrepreneurial programs.
  • Build and maintain high-level relationships with key funding agencies, foundations, donors, and stakeholders.
  • Assist CFI staff in the development of presentation decks and outreach material highlighting Center for Innovation entrepreneurial programs, success stories, etc.
  • Maintain a record of and foster relationships with startup fundraising networks on a local, regional and national level to ensure founders have access and introductions to a diverse network of fundraising avenues for their innovations.
  • Represent the Center for Innovation by attending events and activities and being active in the entrepreneurial community. 

Required Competencies

• Superior problem-solving skills
• Project management skills
• Excellent writing, interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Strong leadership skills
• Demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, flexibility and independent judgement
• Ability to cultivate, build and maintain strong working relationships with individuals or organizations with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
• Motivated work ethic in a culture of independent, professional activity in fast-paced, deadline driven climate.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team based environment.
• Ability to quickly get ‘up to speed’ on new or unfamiliar business models, industries, etc.
• Comfort working in ambiguous work environments.
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Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 year’s related work experience.
• Experience or familiarity with entrepreneurship, business, or commercialization of research.
• Demonstrated passion for entrepreneurship, startups, fundraising or innovation.
• Proven familiarity with entrepreneurial activity either through launch of their own start-up, working at or with a start-up, or through business expansion in larger corporations.
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and other basic business software.
• Position requires occasional evening and weekend work and travel.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in law, business, engineering, aerospace, life sciences, entrepreneurship, economic development, or medical sciences.
• Background in entrepreneurial coaching, curriculum development, or program design for entrepreneurs or businesses.
• Experience recruiting, managing and on-boarding mentors or volunteers supporting a project, cause or organization.
• Fundraising experience through grant writing, business development, startup capitalization, etc.
• Experience working with local, state and federal government entities.

To Apply

Submit a resume/CV and cover letter detailing how you meet each qualification. Include 3-5 professional references with contact information.