Senior Venture Development Specialist

University of North Dakota•Grand Forks, ND

4d•$70,100•Onsite

About The Position

This position is a critical component of the Center for Innovation’s commercialization coaching program staff with a focus on university spin outs, startups and translation of UND Intellectual Properties (University research activity) into tangible, market ready solutions. This position will have a leadership in guiding the development and growth of market ready solutions grounded in university intellectual properties, ensuring they have access to appropriate learning, mentorship, and startup support. A successful candidate for this position has two key responsibilities: First, is to work as a lead project manager for the Innovation Moonshot accelerator experience. As part of this responsibility, this position will need to understand the implementation startup accelerator training and mentorship for faculty and university innovators using recognized best practice principles. This position will also be responsible for building and fostering a network of mentors and coordinate a formalized mentorship strategy to support the Innovation Moonshot Accelerator. Second, is to identify, foster and develop a founders network to support the Innovation Moonshot accelerator experience to enable startup and spin out activities. To ensure a strong pipeline of potential UND Intellectual Properties for the Innovation Moonshot Accelerator, this position will have designated college assignments and will be required to work collaboratively with other CFI staff to identify prospective participants for coaching from their designated college assignments. This position requires occasional evening and weekend work and travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, entrepreneurship, engineering, economics, aerospace, education, medical or life sciences
5 years of direct related work experience
Experience with technology transfer that led to the or commercialization of university research
Experience guiding students in real-world projects, decision-making processes, or professional practice experiences that connect academic learning to practical application
Requires occasional evening and weekend work and travel
Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check
Superior problem-solving skills
Project management skills
Excellent writing, interpersonal and verbal communication skills
Strong leadership skills
Demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills
Ability to cultivate, build and maintain strong working relationships with individuals or organizations with a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds
Strong interpersonal and written communication skills
Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and other basic business software
Demonstrated ability to exercise initiative, flexibility and independent judgement
Demonstrated passion for entrepreneurship, startups, and venture investment
Ability to quickly get ‘up to speed’ on new or unfamiliar business models, industries, etc
Comfort working in ambiguous work environments
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

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in law, business, engineering, aerospace, life sciences, entrepreneurship, economic development, or medical sciences
Experience working in or founding a university spin-out
Experience recruiting, managing and on-boarding mentors or volunteers supporting a project, cause or organization
Experience raising venture capital or working in an equity capital environment
Experience working with local, state and federal government entities

Responsibilities

Lead the development and delivery of commercialization and venture development programs that advance university innovations from discovery to market-ready ventures
Coordinate and manage all logistical and operational aspects of a university-focused venture development accelerator program
Continually assess and maintain the curriculum, tools and resources and demonstrate alignment with current best practice
Recruit, evaluate and advise participants engaged in the venture development program
Guide teams through key commercialization activities, including customer discovery, market assessment, business model development, value proposition refinement, and go to market planning
Identify participants and continually work with CFI colleagues to cultivate a strong pipeline of participants from college specific engagement and outreach activities
Design and administer surveys as well as other metric-capturing tools to capture and analyze accelerator program outcomes
Serve as the primary advisor and institutional liaison for Dakota Venture Group and the CFI Foundation Innovation Fund, providing mentorship, oversight, and experiential learning opportunities that develop student investment professionals while advancing entrepreneurial ventures through investment and portfolio support
Serve as the primary point of contact between Dakota Venture Group, the CFI Foundation, entrepreneurs, investors, alumni, donors, and other stakeholders involved in Innovation Fund activities
Mentor and guide student investment team members through venture capital, angel investing, and fund management frameworks, fostering experiential learning and professional development
Advise students on investment sourcing, screening, due diligence, investment analysis, and recommendation development for potential fund investments
Support students in conducting company evaluations, market analysis, financial assessments, risk analysis, and investment committee presentations consistent with established fund processes
Guide students in monitoring portfolio company performance, maintaining stakeholder relationships, and preparing quarterly and annual portfolio reports
Assist students in developing fundraising strategies and donor engagement activities that support the long-term sustainability and growth of the Innovation Fund
Ensure fund activities, reporting, records management, and investment processes align with Foundation policies and established governance requirements
Track and report student participation, experiential learning outcomes, investment activity, fundraising results, and portfolio performance metrics for continuous program improvement
Identify, foster and Develop and manage mentorship, founder support, and venture development resources that accelerate university innovations from discovery to market-ready solutions
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.
Identify and engage mentors with expertise in priority and emerging industry sectors and coordinate a structured mentorship program for innovators and startups
Recruit, onboard, and support mentors, speakers, founders, and subject matter experts participating in venture development programs
Facilitate communication and collaboration among founders, mentors, industry partners, investors, and accelerator participants
Build and maintain a network of founders, alumni entrepreneurs, mentors, service providers, and ecosystem partners to support venture growth and commercialization outcomes
Develop and curate founder resources, playbooks, tools, and educational programming related to startup formation, commercialization, customer discovery, business planning, and venture growth
Connect founders and venture teams with appropriate technical, legal, regulatory, and business development resources to address commercialization challenges and opportunities
Prepare founders for investment and partnership opportunities through pitch coaching, presentation development, due diligence preparation, and investor readiness assessments
Coordinate pitch events, showcases, investor forums, and networking opportunities that connect founders with potential customers, mentors, partners, and capital providers
Track mentor engagement, founder participation, funding outcomes, and network growth metrics to evaluate program effectiveness and identify opportunities for continuous improvement