CEO - Life Science Startup

Pioneer Connect (hybrid/remote)

Job Description

Activation Capital launched Pioneer Connect, a program designed to unite entrepreneurs, innovators, and a pipeline of commercializable technologies to increase the portfolio of durable startup life science companies in the Richmond region. This initiative seeks to (i) accelerate startup formation and (ii) create opportunities for startups to form in Richmond, whereas they otherwise might not. Pioneer Connect is designed to achieve two outcomes:

· Optimize the commercialization of regional intellectual property (IP)

· Increase the portfolio of regional life science startups to enhance the realization of key metrics, such as job creation and capital attracted.

Pioneer Connect includes a support package for startup leaders willing to locate or start companies in the Richmond area.

This incentive is implemented as an individual/employment contract service to Activation Capital – in essence, we will engage life science leaders to start a company in the region and provide deliverables and status reports as requirements to submit invoices. This is not a grant or investment.

The contract can be terminated if the leader fails to perform.

The following represent scenarios for which we think Pioneer Connect will be implemented:

· An experienced local entrepreneur is contemplating a startup life science company, and Pioneer Connect provides resources that lower barriers to company formation

· An experienced remote entrepreneur is incentivized by Pioneer Connect to start a company in Richmond

· An academic researcher interested in starting a company needs an experienced entrepreneur or operational expert,t and Pioneer Connect facilitates this relationship

· An experienced entrepreneur wants to license university IP, and Pioneer Connect enables this to occur in Richmond

Responsibilities

The Pioneer is to serve as a key operations lead on a new startup and/or technology.

Under this agreement, the Contractor will be responsible for the following:

· A reasonable dedication of time and energy to understanding the key technology and its development

· A willingness to listen to and follow guidance from Activation Capital and its associated professionals

· Providing weekly communications on progress, including monthly reports

· A commitment to pursue grants and investment funding to sustain and advance the technology

· Participating in Activation Capital sponsored acceleration programming

During the Pioneer Connect six-month support period, the Pioneer will aim to attain the following milestones:

· Negotiate a licensing agreement for technology of interest from a federal or university lab

· Register the company in Virginia, with operations based in Richmond

· Develop a commercialization plan and go-to-market strategy

· Identify non-dilutive funding opportunities and submit at least one application

· Establish connections with potential investors to secure institutional investment for future funding rounds

Additionally, the Pioneer will assume the following responsibilities:

· Define and document milestones during the support period

· Provide monthly reports on technical and administrative progress

· Pursue grants and investment funding to sustain and advance the technology

· Provide leadership as it pertains to the development of technology, staff, and company

· Maintain presence in the Richmond region for the duration of the support period

· Work diligently to retain the company in the region long term

Required Qualifications

· Ten years of experience with business operations related to a scientific enterprise

· Profit and Loss management in a corporate environment or management consulting

· Success with dilutive/non-dilutive capital attraction

· Startup or small company experience

Preferred Qualifications

· Advanced degree in science, business, or legal

· Successful exit of a startup/small business

· Network of investor contacts