New Ventures Analyst at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, United States

Job description

• The New Ventures Analyst is part of the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC) at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for working closely with and in support of the New Venture Development team and other CTTC employees in their efforts to develop and implement commercialization strategies involving company formation and support for promising technologies. This position reports to the Executive Director of New Ventures.

Responsibilities

• Project Management
• Participate in the planning and initiation of activities in support of the overall mission to promote launch and funding of Vanderbilt startups.
• Track progress of start-up companies and young companies developing Vanderbilt technologies, from pre-formation to scale up.
• Work with startup companies to promote their growth and success by helping them to develop business plans, pitch decks, and financial models, connect with appropriate investors, and establish collaborative relationships with research funders.
• Help maintain and grow database of regional and national capital investment network partners.
• Partner with other Vanderbilt units to leverage alumni networks for support of Vanderbilt new venture activities.
• Support development of commercialization grant applications and SBIR/STTR proposals.
• Evaluation of Business Concepts
• Perform market assessments of new technologies to determine potential size of commercial impact, competing products, business models, types and names of potential licensees, suitability for a startup company, strategic partners and investors, and contacts within such partners in preparation for active marketing and development of the technology.
• Perform due diligence on promising technologies and business concepts.
• Prepare summaries and marketing materials for each new technology and start-up opportunity, as appropriate; develop pitch decks and financial models; post marketing materials to CTTC website; update and maintain such marketing materials.
• Assist Vanderbilt-affiliated start-up and early-stage companies in seeking and securing capital investment.
• Assist in negotiations with equity-related documents related to Vanderbilt equity ownership in licensees and other Vanderbilt-affiliated companies (including stock agreements, warrant agreements, convertible notes, SAFEs, investor term sheets, and liquidation agreements).
• Education and Outreach/Inreach
• Assist with inreach to Vanderbilt faculty, staff, and students to raise awareness of CTTC’s functions and services, particularly as related to entrepreneurship and new venture support. Support innovation and entrepreneurship on campus and in the local community.
• Assist with outreach to technology transfer office colleagues, investors, and the general public to raise awareness of CTTC’s accomplishments, practices, and portfolio companies.
• Participate in educational activities on campus, including departmental talks; provide guidance and education to inventors, sponsored research administration, and leadership; host talks by external subject matter experts; educate Vanderbilt constituents on issues related to intellectual property, innovation management, and entrepreneurship.
• Participate in various university, regional, and national groups promoting economic and community development, new venture creation, and investor engagement.
• Assist in preparation of reports for Vanderbilt leadership and for regional and state economic development stakeholders summarizing Vanderbilt efforts in support for entrepreneurship and new venture activities.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
• An MBA from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent work experience is preferred.
• At least two years of experience working (i) with a new or early-stage company and/or (ii) in a new venture development support position in a university, a national lab, or in industry, whether through internship, training program, or otherwise is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to review and discern scientific literature and be conversant with research programs and research efforts of faculty is necessary.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication, project management, conceptual, and analytical skills are necessary.
• An ability to work effectively and productively as a member of a team and with senior management is necessary.
• Ability to promote a positive culture of support and compliance with internal and external regulatory requirements is necessary.
• Ability to prioritize and multi-task in a collaborative, fast-paced environment is necessary.
• Familiarity with US Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Commission and their entrepreneurship grant programs is preferred.
• Experience with various capital investment vehicles used with academic-related start-up companies is preferred.
• Significant experience working with not-for-profit postsecondary institutions is preferred.
• Business Development - VU
• Commercialization - VU
• Competitive Analysis - VU
• Consulting - VU
• Customer Relationship Management - VU
• Due Diligence - VU
• Go-to-Market Strategy - VU
• Lead Generation - VU
• Market Research - VU
• Project Management - VU
• Regulatory Compliance - VU

Skills

Required

• Business Development
• Commercialization
• Competitive Analysis
• Consulting
• Customer Relationship Management
• Due Diligence
• Go-to-Market Strategy
• Lead Generation
• Market Research
• Project Management
• Regulatory Compliance