Jobs UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER

Set in the heart of the University of Colorado’s 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. 

• 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 

This is a part-time, temporary role working 10 hours/week. We anticipate the assignment lasting through June 2026. The role follows a hybrid schedule and onsite requirements will be set based on team needs. 

$4,000/month

• 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 life sciences.
• Entrepreneurial attitude and resourcefulness to spot commercialization paths and create momentum
• Ability to build strong partnerships with faculty, researchers, and external partners
• Collaborative, hard-working perspective 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.

• 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.