Founder Engagement Lead

EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 18,500 people, including over 14,000 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries

• Help build the next generation of science- and technology-driven startups at EPFL
• The EPFL Startup Launchpad supports researchers and students in transforming breakthrough ideas into scalable startups. As Founder Engagement Lead, you will own the early-stage startup qualification, building awareness across EPFL, identifying promising founders and ventures, assessing their potential, and ensuring they receive the right support
• This is a highly visible role at the intersection of world-class science and venture creation. You will work directly with founders and play a critical role in shaping the pipeline of startups entering the Startup Launchpad
• Build awareness of the Startup Launchpad across EPFL schools, laboratories, research centres, courses, and student communities
• Proactively identify high-potential founders and startup opportunities through labs, PhD cohorts, hackathons, courses, referrals, and the wider innovation ecosystem
• Act as the first point of contact for researchers and students exploring startup creation
• Assess projects and recommend the most appropriate incubation pathway
• Use pipeline insights and founder feedback to continuously improve sourcing strategies and qualification criteria
• Required Skills & Competencies
• 3–5 years of experience in startups, venture building, accelerators, technology transfer, or innovation programmes
• Strong understanding of academia-to-market pathways with the ability to assess early-stage venture potential
• Familiarity with the Swiss startup and innovation ecosystem. An EPFL network or academic background is a plus, but not required
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to navigate academic environments
• Excellent interpersonal skills, an engaging personality, and strong presentation skills
• Fluency in both English and French is required

We particularly encourage applications from early-career professionals looking to develop expertise in startup sourcing, founder engagement, and venture assessment