Temporary Entrepreneur-in-Residence (Physical Sciences)

University of Colorado Boulder•Boulder, CO

37d•Hybrid

About The Position

Venture Partners at CU Boulder encourages applications for the Temporary Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) role! This role will support the third cohort of our Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator program. The Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator by Venture Partners at CU Boulder matches motivated entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations developed at CU Boulder. Through a competitive selection process, the program selects up to 15 startup founders to join the third Embark Startup Founder cohort. The EIR will support the leadership team in delivering the program and will mentor the Embark Startup Founders cohort through the 6-month program running from January 2026 to June 2026. This part-time 6-month temporary position will report to the Director of Venture Development for Venture Partners at CU Boulder. The EIR serving in this role will have exceptional experience founding and leading "deep tech" startups in physical science industries and be able to mentor and coach startup founders who themselves have startup experience. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Who We Are Set in the heart of the University of Colorado's bold, innovative community of scholars and learners, Venture Partners brings the university's premier researchers together with the business, startup and entrepreneurial communities to translate groundbreaking solutions into economic and social impact. As a catalyst for innovation, our work is exciting, fast-paced, and multidisciplinary, bringing together the domains of business, science, and law. As one of 40 U.S. public research institutions belonging to the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), our goal at CU Boulder is to directly benefit the world through collaborative research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Our faculty, staff and students work with the broader community to establish unique connections that have lasting outcomes-both across Colorado and around the world. CU Boulder aspires to be the top university for innovation. CU Boulder is situated in one of the most innovative communities in the country. Boulder has been ranked by Forbes as the best city in America in which to start a business, and as the top city in America by Bloomberg's Brain Concentration Index.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business, science, engineering, or bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any field with experience relevant to entrepreneurship and commercialization.
5+ years of relevant professional experience ideally with a focus on innovation, professional training, entrepreneurship, startups, and/or technology transfer.
Genuine aim to help founders build and launch new companies in the physical sciences.
Entrepreneurial mindset and resourcefulness to spot commercialization paths and create momentum
Ability to build strong partnerships with faculty, researchers, and external partners
Collaborative, goal-oriented demeanor with a bias toward action
Clear, approachable communication skills suited for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Respect for and ability to work across different cultural, racial, political, and disciplinary backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

5 - 10 years of relevant experience
Experience as a startup founder and executive, ideally in a company with strong emphasis on science or engineering.
Track record of leading successful startup ventures, including raising capital, securing partnerships, product launch/sales, or company exit.
Experience mentoring and coaching other startup founders.

Responsibilities

Establish links with physical science related Embark Startup Founders and their teams
Mentor Embark Startup Founders in critical early-stage achievements, including validating product-market fit, team building, goal setting, resource identification, and funding strategy
Help founders to identify gaps and needs, and where necessary make pivots to alternative strategies
Connect startups to startup ecosystem partners Hold biweekly sessions with each startup founder
Participate in Embark cohort workshops, meetings and events
Provide regular reports to Venture Partners leadership on startup progress and achievements
Collaborate with senior Venture Partners personnel to continue to evolve the Embark program