Wennovate Venture Labs is an innovative venture studio focused on launching and scaling AI and IoT startups in partnership with leading academic institutions in British Columbia. Our mission is to transform groundbreaking research into successful commercial ventures, with a target of launching 20 startups over the next four years. We work directly with professors and doctoral/postdoctoral researchers from UBC Okanagan, Thompson Rivers University, and Simon Fraser University to commercialize cutting-edge technologies across multiple sectors including agriculture, healthcare, wellness, supply chain, logistics, transportation, education, financial services, and hospitality.

Position Overview

We are seeking an exceptional Chief Operating Officer to work closely with the CEO in building and scaling our venture studio operations. The COO will be responsible for developing and implementing the operational infrastructure needed to successfully launch and support multiple startups simultaneously while maintaining strong relationships with our academic partners and ecosystem stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Working in collaboration with the CEO, the COO will:

Venture Development and Support

Participate in customer discovery initiatives, including conducting customer interviews, market validation meetings, and stakeholder engagement sessions
Perform comprehensive market analysis and competitive landscape assessments for potential ventures
Participate in the development and writing of detailed business cases and investment memorandums for new ventures
Conduct regular office hours with portfolio startups to provide operational guidance and support
Participate in pitch refinement sessions with founding teams to improve their presentation and fundraising capabilities
Participate in the organization and moderation of bi-weekly virtual pitch events for portfolio companies
Provide administrative and operational support to portfolio companies, including HR, finance, and legal guidance

Operational Leadership

Participate in the design and implementation of the operational framework for identifying, evaluating, and launching new ventures in partnership with academic researchers
Develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders across partner universities, including technology transfer offices, faculty members, and research departments
Create and oversee standardized processes for startup formation, including legal structure, IP transfer, equity distribution, and governance
Build and lead the operational team necessary to support multiple ventures simultaneously
Establish KPIs and monitoring systems to track the progress and performance of portfolio companies

Investor Relations and Reporting

Prepare for and attend Limited Partner meetings, presenting portfolio performance and operational updates
Develop and maintain relationships with external service providers, including legal, accounting, HR, and technical partners
Create and maintain best practices documentation and playbooks for venture launch and scaling
Oversee budget allocation and financial planning for both the venture studio and portfolio companies

Required Qualifications

10+ years of senior leadership experience, with at least 5 years in operations management roles
Proven track record of building and scaling operations in fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments
Experience working with early-stage technology companies and understanding of startup operations
Strong background in customer discovery and market validation methodologies
Experience in preparing and presenting investment memorandums
Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach startup founders
Strong understanding of the academic research commercialization process and technology transfer
Experience in developing and implementing operational systems and processes
Strong financial acumen and experience with budget management
Advanced degree in business, engineering, or related field preferred
Previous experience in venture capital, accelerators, or startup studios is highly valued

Required Skills

Exceptional leadership and team-building abilities
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
Outstanding presentation and public speaking abilities
Excellent project management and organizational capabilities
Superior written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment
Strong understanding of AI, IoT, and emerging technologies
Experience with academic institutions and research commercialization

What We Offer

Opportunity to shape the future of technology commercialization in British Columbia
Competitive compensation package including equity
Comprehensive health and benefits package
Professional development opportunities
Chance to work with cutting-edge technologies and brilliant minds
Impact-driven work environment
Flexible work arrangements

Location

Primary location: British Columbia (specific city flexible within proximity to partner universities)
Regular travel required between UBC Okanagan (Kelowna), Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops), and Simon Fraser University (Vancouver/Burnaby)

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and a brief statement outlining your vision for successfully launching 20 technology startups from academic research over the next four years to toadesina@wennovateconsulting.ca.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization and encourage applications from all qualified candidates. Wennovate Venture Labs is an equal opportunity employer.

Wennovate Venture Labs

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