Entrepreneurship & Innovation Manager

Koç University; Sarıyer; Vor Ort; TRY 900.000 - 1.300.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Koç University is seeking a high-performing Entrepreneurship & Innovation Executive to lead venture creation, commercialize deep tech, and drive strategic initiatives from our Rumelifeneri campus. You will transform early ideas into scalable ventures, partner with researchers and students, manage IP and licensing, and build networks with regional and global investors.

Travel as needed and contribute to lectures, workshops, and grant proposals to accelerate funding and ecosystem development.

Qualifikationen

• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative/technical discipline from a top-tier university.
• 10+ years of professional experience in startups, venture capital, technology consulting, or innovation-driven environments.
• Native or fluent in English (written and spoken).
• PhD strongly preferred; deep expertise in deep tech ventures, IP management, patent landscapes, venture capital, and startup ecosystem dynamics.

Aufgaben

• Lead end-to-end venture building lifecycle from idea validation to scaling.
• Refine business models, go-to-market strategies, and product positioning with researchers and teams.
• Design and manage structured performance processes; track milestones and key metrics.
• Perform rigorous market analysis, customer discovery, and competitive benchmarking.
• Prepare professional investor materials and define strategic positioning for fundraising.
• Oversee IP management, licensing, legal structuring, and early-stage partnerships.
• Leverage digital tools and AI platforms to enhance venture evaluation and execution speed.
• Coordinate multiple projects with prioritization and urgency.
• Cultivate strategic relationships with researchers, industry partners, advisors, and global investors.
• Deliver lectures and entrepreneurship workshops as needed.
• Assist researchers in preparing grant proposals to secure non-dilutive funding.
• Represent Koç University across regional hubs and industry events.

Kenntnisse

English proficiency

Venture building

IP management

Strategic partnerships

Deep tech commercialization

Ausbildung

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering / Industrial / Electrical Engineering

PhD strongly preferred

Jobbeschreibung

We are seeking a high-performing Entrepreneurship & Innovation Executive to join Koç University Entrepreneurship & Innovation Group Management, to lead high-impact venture creation, commercialize deep tech innovations, and execute strategic innovation initiatives. The ideal candidate brings a digital-first, growth-oriented mindset, ready to drive core programs and build expanding networks across local and global ecosystems.

Job Description

This is an agile, hands-on venture builder role. The successful candidate will transform early-stage ideas and complex deep tech research into scalable, market-ready ventures through structured execution, rapid iteration, instructional leadership, and end-to-end ownership.

This position is based at our Rumelifeneri campus and requires readiness for domestic and international travel as needed.

Key responsibilities include:

• Drive and assist the end-to-end venture building lifecycle, from initial idea validation to scaling and early growth.
• Partner directly with founders, researchers, students, and project teams to refine business models, go-to-market strategies, and product positioning.
• Design and manage structured performance processes, tracking venture progress, milestones, and key metrics.
• Execute rigorous market analysis, customer discovery, and competitive benchmarking.
• Ensure fundraising readiness by preparing professional investor materials and defining strategic positioning.
• Manage commercialization activities, demonstrating strong expertise in IP management, patent strategy, licensing, legal structuring, and early-stage partnership agreements.
• Leverage a digital-first and growth mindset, applying modern software tools, data analytics, and AI platforms to streamline workflows, venture evaluation, and execution speed.
• Oversee multiple simultaneous projects with strong prioritization and a sense of urgency.
• Drive ecosystem development by proactively cultivating and sustaining strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including academic researchers, industry partners, advisors, and global venture investors.
• Deliver lectures, conduct specialized workshops, and instruct entrepreneurship courses or academic modules as needed.
• Assist researchers and founders in preparing high-quality grant proposals to secure non-dilutive research and commercialization funding.
• Represent the organization across regional innovation hubs, partner sites, and industry event venues through flexible, multi-location engagement.

General Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related quantitative/technical discipline from a top-tier university.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience within startups, venture capital, technology consulting, or innovation-driven environments.
• Native or fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Deep expertise in deep tech ventures, intellectual property management, patent landscapes, venture capital, legal and contracts and startup ecosystem dynamics.
• Demonstrated track record of executing with urgency, strong ownership, and high performance in fast-paced environments.
• A Ph.D. is strongly preferred.

Koç University is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. All candidates are evaluated without discrimination based on race, gender, national or social origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status.