Innovation and Technology Scout

University of Minnesota; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 113,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages and time off

Tuition benefit programs

Health, dental and pharmacy plans

Retirement plans with employer

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Employee wellbeing program

Job summary

The University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities seeks a Business Development Specialist 1 to join the MIN-Corps team. This role focuses on growing awareness of technology commercialization and entrepreneurship education across campus and the state, guiding innovators from students to faculty toward launch opportunities.

You will design seminars, co-teach I-Corps cohorts, connect innovators with resources, and help measure program impact.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in business with STEM undergrad or equivalent STEM experience.
• Familiarity with Lean Launchpad and customer discovery methodologies.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and raise awareness for offerings.
• Experience presenting in seminars, classes or sales environments.
• Exposure to grant writing and federal grant landscape.
• Excellent written, oral communication and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Self-starter with prioritization based on program goals.
• Proficiency in project planning/management.
• Fluency with Microsoft Office and/or Google apps.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute outreach to build innovator awareness in targeted UMN colleges.
• Design and deliver informational seminars on market discovery and entrepreneurship.
• Develop collaborative relationships with associate deans, chairs, directors and offices to educate innovators.
• Lead Tech Scout for Minnesota in Great Lakes I-Corps Hub.
• Develop a pipeline of teams advancing through Technology Commercialization Office support.
• Collaborate with NSF Regional I-Corps to support Tech Scout activities regionally.
• Connect innovators with mentoring and resources from university and ecosystem.
• Support I-Corps programming for faculty and students.
• Assist with collection, analysis and reporting of MIN-Corps metrics.

Skills

Master's in business

STEM background

Lean Launchpad

Grant writing

Communication skills

Project management

MS Office / Google

Education

Master's degree with STEM background

Tools

Salesforce

Zoho

Job description

Job ID: 376617

Location: Twin Cities

Job Family: Business Development

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Job Code: 9761BG

Employee Class: Acad Prof and Admin

About the Job

Position Description
External Position Title: Innovation and Technology Scout
Internal Job Title: Business Development Specialist 1

The Tech Scout will be a member of the MIN-Corps team, which designs and delivers technology commercialization/entrepreneurship education and coaching to innovators at all levels (student, postdoc, research scientist, faculty) across the University of Minnesota and the state.

This role is pivotal in broadening the awareness and participation of students and faculty in innovation efforts, advancing research-based startups, and driving economic and societal impact by accelerating technology commercialization. This role is a key member of our vibrant campus innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem and will work closely with key partners across campus to drive participation in our programming.

The individual in this position will build innovator awareness of relevant educational opportunities, lead introductory seminars on technology commercialization and entrepreneurship, co-teach regional I-Corps cohorts, and connect innovators to appropriate resources from the University, federal grants, and business ecosystem.

• Outreach and Awareness:
  • Design and execute a plan to build innovator awareness of technology commercialization and entrepreneurship education opportunities in targeted UMN colleges through direct outreach, digital marketing, the MIN-Corps website and social media (15%)
  • Design and deliver the informational seminars on market/customer discovery, technology commercialization and entrepreneurship tailored to specific audiences and disciplines (15%)
• Develop collaborative relationships with associate deans of research, department chairs, directors of graduate studies, Technology Commercialization Office, research center directors, STEM student groups, industry associations, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to educate innovators on technology commercialization and entrepreneurship (15%)
• Serve as Tech Scout lead for Minnesota in Great Lakes I-Corps Hub
  • Develop and support a pipeline of research teams advancing through commercialization, preparing them for support through the Technology Commercialization Office (20%)
  • Work collaboratively with counterparts at the NSF Regional I-Corps Great Lakes Hub to support Tech Scout activities across the region (10%)
  • Connect innovators to appropriate mentoring, University, and business ecosystem resources (5%)
• Support the design and delivery of I-Corps educational programming for faculty and a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, PhD and PostDoc students in targeted UMN colleges (15%)
• Assist with the development, collection, and analysis and reporting of local MIN-Corps and regional I-Corps program metrics (5%)

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Either a master's degree in business with undergraduate training in a STEM field, or a master's degree in a STEM field, or equivalent experience in STEM-related companies
• Familiarity with Lean Launchpad and customer discovery methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to create trusted relationships and awareness for service offerings
• Experience presenting in seminars, classes or sales environments
• Exposure to grant writing and navigating the federal grant landscape
• Exceptional written, oral communication and presentation skills
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated attention to detail
• Self-starter with ability to set priorities based on program goals
• Proficiency in project planning/management
• Fluency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and/or Google (Sheets/Docs/Slides)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in technology entrepreneurship and/or bringing an innovation to market
• Experience working with research faculty in STEM field
• Experience as a participant in an NSF I-Corps program at the local, regional or national level
• Experience teaching, consulting or mentoring STEM startup teams
• Curious learner energized by the potential impact from research innovations
• Marketing and/or sales experience in either an educational or business setting
• Experience with Customer Relationship Management software such as Sales Force, Zoho, etc.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $113,000 - $126,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position does NOT qualify for a H1-B Visa sponsorship.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.