Role Summary
As the Innovation Advisor you are a highly motivated, dynamic and self-starter individual with experience in supporting client’s needs leading them to succeed. The Innovation Advisor is responsible for working with Innovation Factory’s Venture Growth team and working closely with our internal teams, Venture Growth’s Expert Advisors as well as The Forge incubator to enable timely and effective delivery of service to our client companies. The Innovation Advisor will work collaboratively to manage each client to ensure that all clients receive resources, guidance, workshops and network access, to help them build scaling companies. Finally, the successful candidate will be proactive and onboard potential clients by being active in the innovation community and building a strategic network.
This is a full-time, 12-month contract position that reports to the Manager, Venture Growth Team and works collaboratively with all departments and teams within Innovation Factory.
Core Responsibilities
Client Support & Coaching
- Provide guidance to our clients with respect to developing business plans and their constituent components, such as value propositions, market analysis, competitive advantage, customer acquisition, business processes and operations, marketing, sales, finances, etc.
- Work closely with members of the Venture Growth team to ensure that all clients continuously receive the appropriate level of service and ongoing support
- Primary contact and resource for early-stage Forge cohort companies
- Meet with economic development teams from Hamilton and Halton Region municipalities and support joint client needs.
Data Management & Reporting
- Responsibility to capture KPIs and client-specific reporting requirements in our CRM system to ensure files are properly organized and data is accurate.
- Analyze the CRM data with monthly analytics and infographic reports, and assist with preparation of quarterly and annual metric reports.
- Perform research with a view to compile and summarize information for the creation of intelligence reports on different technology sectors.
- Develop detailed reports on client initiatives, client intake trends and demographics, advisor activity and economic impact.
- Coordinate regular meetings that advance clients’ interests with internal and external parties
- Active involvement in client company satisfaction processes and activities
- Supports the timely submission of required data and reports related to Innovation Factory clients and performance to stakeholders
Business Development
- Assist with the recruitment of new clients by attending events and workshops in a business development capacity (may be outside of standard business hours)
- Liaise with internal and external members of the Hamilton and Halton innovation ecosystem and other Regional Innovation Centres (RICs) network to foster working relationships enabling venture referrals and collaboration with Innovation Factory
- Contributes to new/existing clients’ referrals to other internal programs as well as programs external to Innovation Factory
- Identify opportunities to improve programming and events based on client feedback and share with other teams
Ongoing Client Management – Opportunities & Funding
- Assist client companies in identifying and accessing sources of funding including non- dilutive and/or dilutive opportunities
- Connect client companies with opportunities to pitch to potential funders
- Maintain daily best practices of Innovation Factory’s client database, ensure client information and resources are up-to-date
- Diligently monitor strategic and funding opportunities in the innovation ecosystem that would be of benefit to clients.
- Share new opportunities that include grants, programs, challenges, conferences or any other applicable resources with targeted clients.
Event and Program Support
- Support the Venture Growth team to align workshops and programs that will help elevate our client companies to becoming revenue generating and sustainable
- Actively promote and recruit for entrepreneurial events within the ecosystem to our clients (may be outside of standard business hours)
- Support the Venture Growth team involvement in the planning and execution of large events delivered by the Marketing team
Essential Skills and Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree or diploma in business administration, commerce, or technology
- 3-5 years of prior business experience including some experience in supporting innovation or commercialization and/or in an accelerator/incubator setting
- Experience in a not-for-profit environment, market research or technology innovation/startup accelerator organization is a plus.
- Proven ability to assess business opportunities quickly and efficiently
- Knowledge and experience with client relationship management (CRM) systems
- Ability to analyze data, create reports and present findings (requires proficient use and experience with Microsoft Office software – Excel, Powerpoint, Word)
- Strong communication skills, both oral and written
- Empathy, authenticity, and ability to engender trust by delivering value
- A good working knowledge of software programs and applications
- Strong organizational and analytical skills
- Ability to provide guidance and direction
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks under tight deadlines and deliver quality work in a timely manner.
- Energy, enthusiasm, and confidence in one’s abilities
- Willing to work outside the typical 9-5 business hours (when required)
Assets
- Previous experience as an entrepreneur, or in an entrepreneurial environment
- Previous working experience in a smart mobility or smart city startup or SME
- Knowledge and experience with patents, technology transfer and regulatory (FDA, Health Canada)
- Previous experience in the technology sector
Working Conditions
- 5 days per week; 37.5 hours per week, regular daytime business hours are between 9am EST to 5 pm EST.
- Opportunity for hybrid work model, allowing some remote work
- Some localized travel and access to a vehicle are required.
Location
Innovation Factory
- B21-175 Longwood Rd S, Hamilton ON
- 801-5500 North Service Rd, Burlington, ON
About Innovation Factory
Innovation Factory (iF) is a not-for-profit business accelerator, providing entrepreneurs with business services, training, mentorship and strategic connections to help bring disruptive technologies to market, increase revenues, attract investment and create jobs.
Our mission is to be the primary catalyst for technology innovation in the greater Hamilton and Halton areas with a vision to make the region Canada’s fastest-growing innovation community and the first port of call for innovators. We will do this via direct 1-1 support for companies; creating partnerships, and building community. We will create an environment and culture that draws people into the region as a place to invest, live, learn, work and start businesses.
The Innovation Factory is committed to a fair and inclusive work environment. We are an equal opportunity employer that hires and attracts talent regardless of age, race, creed, colour, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, status as a protected veteran or any other legally protected grounds and will not discriminate on these bases. Accommodation will be provided throughout the hiring process, as required. Applicants must make their needs known in advance.
For more information please visit www.innovationfactory.ca
