Venture Engagement Manager

Employment Type:

Full Time

Location:

Winnipeg (Hybrid)

SVG Ventures | THRIVE is the leading global agrifood innovation and investment platform, advancing the future of food and agriculture through innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration. Our mission is to drive innovation and sustainability in the agrifood value chain, bridging global ecosystems and catalyzing impact where it matters most.

We are looking for a highly organized, results-driven Venture Engagement Manager to support the delivery of our Canada programs through direct founder engagement — working closely with high-potential companies to accelerate their growth and connecting them to the right partners, capital, and opportunities at the right time. The role will also support venture sourcing, pipeline development, and investment opportunities aligned with SVG Ventures | THRIVE’s Manitoba sub-fund, helping identify and cultivate high-potential companies for potential investment while strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem.

This is a role for someone who is energized by working directly with founders, builds trust quickly, and brings the presence and communication skills to represent THRIVE credibly across the startup and innovation ecosystem.

• Manage a portfolio of ventures through consistent 1:1 consultative engagement, in-depth growth assessments, milestone roadmaps, and targeted connections to corporates, investors, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for founders throughout their engagement with THRIVE, building trusted relationships that drive meaningful outcomes.
• Monitor venture progress, engagement levels, and outcomes against program milestones, proactively identifying and addressing barriers to growth.
• Coordinate mentor matching and support founder success through tailored introductions and relationship facilitation.
• Act as a connector between ventures and the corporate and investment teams, to drive high-value engagements and measurable outcomes.
• Support venture sourcing and pipeline development by identifying high-potential Manitoba companies, maintaining awareness of emerging investment opportunities, and collaborating with the investment team on opportunities aligned with the Manitoba sub-fund’s investment strategy.

• Identify, recruit, and onboard high-potential ventures into THRIVE’s programs, while proactively building relationships across Manitoba’s startup ecosystem to strengthen the pipeline of companies for both program participation and potential investment opportunities.
• Lead application review and selection processes, assessing ventures against program criteria and THRIVE’s thesis.
• Support a smooth onboarding experience for new program participants, ensuring they are set up for success from day one.

• Support active program cohorts as needed, contributing to session delivery, workshop facilitation, and participant experience.
• Identify opportunities to improve participant experience, capturing insights and feedback to help refine future programs.
• Collaborate closely with the broader THRIVE team, sharing insights and coordinating to deliver a seamless, high-quality experience across all programs.

• Track and document venture progress against program KPIs and impact metrics, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
• Support compliance and reporting requirements for government and other funding partners.
• Support investment pipeline tracking and reporting by maintaining accurate records of venture engagement, sourcing activities, and investment opportunities within internal reporting systems.

• Maintain relationships with…