JOB POSTING: Business Advisor, Startup Services (1-Year Contract)

WEtech Alliance is a Regional Innovation Center (RIC) in the Province of Ontario that helps tech entrepreneurs and companies Create, Innovate and Accelerate. By supporting, connecting, developing and promoting our community of creative innovators, WEtech helps propel the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions forward and strengthen its position on the world’s technology map for its innovations, entrepreneurs and tech talent. Whether it’s a fintech startup or a automobility narwhal, we support companies at all stages of growth and development across all sectors of technology.

Position Summary: Business Advisor, Startup Services (1-year contract)

The Business Advisor Startup Services is a dynamic and highly adaptable business professional who has previous experience in business development, creative problem solving, and managing new business or innovation programs in a technology / entrepreneurship sector. The ideal candidate has knowledge about commercialization of technology or new business ideas, including at least one of these areas: company creation, sales and marketing, finance and investment, value proposition and business models, product innovation, strategies for business early-stage startups.  

This role will support the business growth of technology and innovation based entrepreneurs and companies in Windsor-Essex and Chatham Kent, in the “Boost” stage of development, as defined by WEtech Alliance as: 

• Having early (but verifiable) customer interaction and validation – or more 
• Having intellectual property strategies or aspirations 
• Having challenges that require expert insights for pain point relief 
• Are looking for new ways to adopt technology to help their business grow 
• Are at a point where they want to hire employees 

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director of Venture Services, the Business Advisor Startup Services will have the key responsibility of managing, and delivering a suite of business acceleration programs, all of which provide commercialization and entrepreneurship development support for Startups ready to enter the market with a new product or service.  

The specific responsibilities may include (but are not limited to): 

• Perform new “Boost” client intakes and thoroughly access and document the business needs and opportunities of each application according to established procedures
• Triage “Boost” clients into business acceleration programs and services
• Perform ongoing business advisory services with “Boost” clients.
• Manage tracking of business acceleration program metrics through WEtech Alliance’s CRM system. 
• Deliver high level client updates on a weekly / quarterly basis during team and client portfolio meetings 
• Develop, market and present information about business acceleration programs at our team meetings, and regularly engage with WEtech Alliance’s community of tech startups
• Provide deeper monthly insights into opportunities for client storytelling, portfolio trends, and top clients needs during portfolio meetings 
• Works with partners such as local economic development agencies, Small Business Centre, EPICentre, and Genesis Centres to make the best referrals for client companies. 
• Contribute a regular collection of metrics suitable for inclusion in government and funder reporting. 
• Possess a knowledge of various programs designed for clients though all our collaborative stakeholders and programs.  
• Ensures project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately 
• Assist Director of Venture Services with selected strategic or community projects and program development. 
• Help prepare “Boost” level clients and encourage application into the WEtech Alliance’s annual ScaleUP Tech Accelerator Program  
• Manage and populate the WEtech Alliance online client peer group through SLACK 
• Possess a knowledge of various programs designed for clients though all our collaborative stakeholders and programs.
• Represents WEtech Alliance positively within Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent and with outside agencies
• Other duties as may be required

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years of experience – Commerce/Finance, Business Administration or Marketing, Engineering; knowledge of STEM / Economic Development areas is preferable.
• Past experience working within a technology startup and/or incubator/accelerator is preferable.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks under tight deadlines, and deliver quality work in a timely manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability and confidence to interact with various levels of the organization/community.
• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal)
• Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision, and accept guidance from various members of WEtech Alliance’s team.

Working Conditions:

• Full-time contract position from February 1st, 2021 – February 1st, 2022
• Work from home until main office reopens
• Resides in Windsor-Essex or Chatham-Kent
• Possible evening or weekend work to attend community outreach events and/or programs. After-hours work time will be balanced with regular work hours.
• Must have a valid Ontario driver’s license and access to their own vehicle transportation.

Location: Joyce Entrepreneurship Centre, 2455 Wyandotte Street West, Located inside EPICentre, 2^nd Floor, Windsor, ON N9B 0C1

To Apply: If you are interested in this opportunity please email your resume and cover letter to ypilon@wetech-alliance.com no later than January 15th, 2021 at 5PM. Please include Business Advisor, Startup Services in the subject line.

We thank all applicants in advance. Please note that only individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. All applications will be kept confidential.

Apply in Confidence:
Yvonne Pilon
President & CEO
WEtech Alliance
ypilon@wetech-alliance.com