AddressClassification: Full-time / Exempt; Grant Funded Position
Reporting Structure: Reports to Director of Entrepreneurship
20Fathoms - We’re an inclusive community of startups and techies
20Fathoms is a non-profit technology hub and startup incubator in Northern Michigan. Our mission is to be the region’s home for technology and entrepreneurship by cultivating a thriving and connected ecosystem for early-stage companies.
With emphasis on a team-first, energetic culture, we provide a space conducive for creativity and innovation, where high-potential entrepreneurs and innovation experts convene, learn, create, launch, and grow. 20Fathoms is here to support and accelerate the success of hard-working founders, taking their “fathom” from concept, to market, to scale and beyond. Not to be mistaken for a simple “coworking space”, we provide advanced educational programming, invaluable networking opportunities, access to Startup Capital, and helpful business coaches and mentors to continually boost startup companies through their next stages of growth.
Emphasis on executing the right work with meaningful results:
As Senior Manager of Startup Capital for 20Fathoms, you are the subject matter expert and in-house specialist for everything related to Startup Capital for our community of startups. Often cited as the most challenging barrier to launching and scaling a new business, access to Startup Capital is absolutely crucial to the startup journey – and entrepreneurs come to you for know-how, connections, and assistance to obtain funding.
Critical top-level objectives are:
- Manager of Business Accelerator Fund program: 20Fathoms is the NW Michigan administration center for this critical state-wide program – you will run this program, providing support and funding opportunities to region-wide startups looking for acceleration capital
- Manager of Gateway program in support of MEDC funding opportunities: You will be the local expert knowledgeable about all MEDC startup funding opportunities and how to pursue them – startups will come to you as the primary resource with knowledge of all MEDC funding programs. Communication and promotion / outreach of these programs is critical to multiplying their potential impact
- Manager of online Access to Capital resource guide as well as in-person concierge services: You will create, maintain, promote our online resource guide – focused on all forms of capital opportunities in the region, statewide, and beyond. These sources of funding span all stages in the startup journey, from very early pre-seed through venture capital and beyond. Your connections (both existing and constantly growing) are key to match-making across startups & funders and they seek you out
- Creator, Developer, Manager of early-stage Investment Fund: Together with internal team members and outside financial consultant support, you will develop and launch this new investment fund aimed at providing early-stage capital to technology-based startups
- Whatever it takes – Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage all aspects of Michigan SBDC Business Accelerator Fund Program – including, but not limited to: promoting, pre-screening, pre and post application support with local tech startups, periodic review of statewide applications from other BAF administrators, compliance / conformance with SBDC Tech Team program leadership
- Manage and promote all aspects of MEDC Gateway program, including (but not limited to) role as primary conduit connecting startups at various stages of growth with all MEDC funding opportunities; periodic compliance, tracking, and reporting of results
- Also includes tracking clients of the MEDC Gateway program; working within the team to leverage relationships to ensure response to outreach about business performance
- Establish, develop, maintain Access to Capital online resource guide – and promote its value across the ecosystem. While particularly focused on NW Michigan funding opportunities, this guide will build awareness and advocacy for funding opportunities around the state and Midwest. Will ensure relevance of the guide as a reliable source of regularly updated information
- Serve as Subject Matter Expert for 20Fathoms and the ecosystem – meet in-person with tech startups wishing to understand and pursue funding opportunities at all stages. Advise, counsel, and connect them with appropriate funders. Become a trusted partner across key ecosystem partners (e.g., local angel investors, VC’s, pre-seed and seed investment funds from around the state, grantors, SBIR / STTR programs, family investment foundations, etc) – in support of funnel development efforts. Share expertise via presentations to both 20Fathoms and partner hosted workshops and programming events
- In partnership with other assigned internal resources and external financial & legal consultants – lead the development and launch of 20Fathoms’ first ever early stage investment fund. Once launched, manage the fund
- Assist with and attend relevant events (both in the co-working space and out in the community) – some evenings expected
- Communications and Reporting:
- Prepare and present clear and concise briefing materials and presentations for internal updates and for external audiences (charts, graphs, slide decks, etc.)
- Provide insight and recommendations based upon data, trend analysis, and feedback
- Grant compliance reporting support, tracking activities, and measuring effectiveness of efforts to connect founders to funding, as required
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across programming and together on shared goals both with inter-personal skills and via utilization of organizational communication and tracking tools
- Reporting Structure: reports directly to Director of Entrepreneurship
- Other related work as required.
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, entrepreneurship or related field
- Knowledge of tech and/or startup sector – including funding terminology, financials, and the unique challenges founders face in seeking capital investment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to explain complex concepts in plain terms or using industry terminology - based upon the audience
- Confidentiality - Proven ability to build trust and maintain complete confidentiality at all times, particularly related to non-public client and funder information – to include written and verbal discretion and hard and / or electronic document controls
- Multi-tasking, planning and prioritizing to simultaneously meet multiple project goals and deadlines
- Detail-oriented – keen to validate, yet open to spotting anomalies and asking for clarification
- Solution Mindset – ability to proactively identify and address friction points to problem solve and seek resolutions
- Willing to put others first – attitude of ensuring others’ success and make the founder the focus
- Lifelong learner – willing to take on new challenges and never stop learning
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) and able to effectively use other common workplace technology tools
- Teamwork - We’re all owners here at 20Fathoms, which necessitates a willingness to “wipe the counter and pick up the trash”
Preferred
- MBA or equivalent combination of education & relevant work experience
- Existing knowledge of MEDC funding programs
- Project management experience
- Knowledge of and experience with nonprofit organizations and grant compliance
Working Conditions
- Predominant work location will be at the 20Fathoms main office location HQ – however, some flexibility for remote / hybrid work is ok
- Evening event attendance at main site and with community partners as appropriate
- Some limited travel may be required from time to time
20Fathoms is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all background and experiences to apply.
Join our team and help us make a meaningful impact on the startup community by spearheading this grant program to support innovative and passionate entrepreneurs.
