Venture Coach

Job Title:

Venture Coach

Roles and Responsibilities:

● Coach ventures assigned and fulfil all requirements for completing the pre-incubation and incubation program.

● Actively scout and evaluate startups and innovations across the campus(es) for the preincubation, incubation and other initiatives.

● Drive successful graduation of startups in pre-incubation and incubation programs by ensuring compliance with program milestones, deliverables, and evaluation criteria.

● Lead and support early-stage startup teams, guiding them through ideation, prototype development, business-model validation and go-to-market readiness, while collaborating closely with mentors, industry partners and the internal VDC team.

● Scout and onboard high-potential startups and innovators beyond GITAM for incubation at the Venture Development Centre.

● Identify and establish partnerships with industry, corporates, and ecosystem enablers for collaborations, sponsor ships, and strategic programs.

● Develop and manage relationships with mentors, investors, and government or private stakeholders to strengthen the VDC ecosystem.

● Conduct relevant outreach activities, workshops, master classes, etc., to attract Faculty/Alumni/Students to be part of the RSG program.

● Actively utilize the venture mentor network, makerspace and other elements for the benefit of venture teams.

Interpersonal Skills

● Dynamic and confident person who shows significant leadership skills.

● Committed to actively coaching student/faculty/alumni teams.

● Experienced in entrepreneurship skill development and should have a broad understanding of the ecosystem.

● Proactive individual with excellent communication skills and potential to be a leader.

● Should be able to work well in a team and demonstrate the ability to actively cooperate with the rest of the coaching fraternity.

Education & Experience

● Applicants must possess either
(i) a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, or
(ii) a Master’s degree/MBA with a minimum of 2 year of relevant experience, in entrepreneurship ecosystem development, incubation, corporate innovation, partnerships, or related roles, preferably within an educational or research organization.

● Strong understanding of the startup and innovation ecosystem, including exposure to early-stage ventures and accelerator programs.