Startup Ecosystem Director

Rolling Oaks Hospitality, Inc.; Madison (WI); Remote; USD 72,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization in Wisconsin seeks a Startup Ecosystem Director to enhance the state's innovation economy. The role involves managing programs for high-growth startups, cultivating partnerships, and driving strategic initiatives to make Wisconsin a hub for entrepreneurial success.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in entrepreneurship or related fields.
• Proven success in managing ecosystem programs.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage entrepreneurship-focused programs.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with venture capital firms and universities.
• Oversee grantmaking and program performance tracking.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Team management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Economics or related field

Job description

• Location 2352 S. Park Street, Suite 303,Madison, WI, 53713,United States
• Base Pay $72200.00 - $90300.00 / Year
• Employee Type Exempt

Contact information

• Phone [phone]

Description

Wi sconsin Economic Development Corporation

Position Description

Position Title: Startup Ecosystem Director

Reports to: Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Innovation

FLSA Status: Exempt

*WEDC is a Wisconsin-based organization, with a remote-work first environment. Remote work is intended to be performed in the State of Wisconsin.

Position Summary

The Startup Ecosystem Director is responsible for developing, refining and implementing programs and policies that increase high-growth startups and expand and mature the innovation ecosystem in the State of Wisconsin.

The position plays a critical leadership role in shaping and strengthening Wisconsin’s innovation economy and is responsible for designing and delivering programs, partnerships, and strategic initiatives that accelerate the development of high-growth startups, build ecosystem density, and position Wisconsin as a premier destination for entrepreneurial growth.

Working at the intersection of government, private sector, higher education, and community partners, the Director leads efforts to increase the number of scalable startups, enhance connectedness across regions and sectors, and cultivate an inclusive, resilient startup ecosystem that reflects the full potential of Wisconsin’s people, places, and industries.

This position participates in program and project development, public outreach, disseminates program information and is an active leader in project-related work groups and committees in the organization.

The position will have additional responsibilities of supervising the activities of the Entrepreneurship & Ecosystem Programs Manager including application process, CRM account accuracy, customer communications, annual reporting and verifications, sponsorship activities and overall performance monitoring.

Responsibilities

The Startup Ecosystem Director will spend a majority of their time in these activities:

Program Leadership and Management

· Design, launch, and manage entrepreneurship-focused programs that support high-growth startups and emerging founders across Wisconsin.

· Lead initiatives aimed at ecosystem development, including accelerator support, founder pipelines, investor engagement, and talent connectivity.

· Oversee grantmaking, technical assistance, and performance tracking for ecosystem-building partners and programs.

· Work closely with internal teams to align program investments with broader economic development goals and statewide strategies.

· Lead analysis of venture program data, trends and outcomes; prepare and disseminate reports on program outcomes for a broad audience including WEDC board, State legislature, and industry professionals

Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships

· Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with venture capital firms, universities, corporations, national accelerators, and entrepreneurial support organizations.

· Identify and advance opportunities to attract and retain high-growth startups through targeted campaigns, partnerships, or regional collaborations.

· Collaborate with other state agencies and local development organizations to integrate innovation and entrepreneurship into statewide economic development plans.

· Represent Wisconsin in national and global networks and thought leadership platforms related to innovation, startups, and entrepreneurial ecosystem building.

Startup Attraction

· Develop and lead domestic and global startup attraction strategies to bring new, high-potential ventures to Wisconsin.

· Build and manage partnerships with accelerators, regional and global investment associations, and technology-based economic development organizations to identify and recruit diverse startup teams.

· Launch targeted initiatives to increase the density and diversity of Wisconsin’s startup ecosystem—geographically, demographically, and by sector.

· Collaborate with regional and national partners to create partnerships, initiatives and incentive pathways that support the relocation or expansion of promising startups to Wisconsin.

· Track and report outcomes related to startup attraction and coordinate storytelling strategies

Ecosystem Development and Thought Leadership

· Map, track, and assess the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to identify gaps, strengths, and emerging opportunities.

· Develop and share insights on trends affecting startup growth, innovation policy, venture capital, and ecosystem performance.

· Support the development of storytelling and data tools that demonstrate Wisconsin’s strengths as a launchpad for high-growth ventures.

· Facilitate convenings, working groups, and cross-sector collaborations that strengthen the entrepreneurial landscape statewide.

Requirements

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Economics, Human Ecology, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline — or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, venture capital, commercialization and technology transfer, startup programs, or related field.
• Proven success in program management and ecosystem building, with a strong track record of supporting high-growth startups.
• Familiarity with federal and peer-state programs focused on ecosystem development and support, entrepreneurial ecosystems, startup life cycles, and innovation funding models (e.g., angel, venture, federal SBIR/STTR).
• Experience working with high technology companies, especially in the biotechnology, software, medical device, advanced manufacturing, material science, green/clean tech, and communications fields. Leading to Strong understanding of organizational strategies and development timeline for high tech and emerging growth companies.

Skills and Talents:

• Ability to conduct investment due diligence.
• Ability to manage and lead a productive and engaged team
• Deep understanding of financing mechanisms including equity investments, private placements, convertible notes and securities regulations.
• Quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership, partnership development, and cross-sector collaboration skills.
• Ability to source and execute business deals.
• High energy, enthusiastic, quick to response to requests and opportunities.
• PC applications and systems including word processing, spreadsheet, database management and Windows software.
• Demonstrated ability to partner and influence at all levels in the business and to be viewed as a credible, valuable source of information and integral part of management team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to deal effectively with senior executives as well as diverse groups of people internal and external to the organization.

Other Requirements:

• National and state-wide travel will occur on an occasional basis, less than 20% of the time . Travel is anticipated to include day and overnight travel.
• This position is eligible for reimbursement according to the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program.
• Based on the responsibilities of this position, this position may need to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Summary

WEDC DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING STATEMENT

WEDC must be a diverse and inclusive organization reflective of the businesses, communities, and people in Wisconsin and beyond. We believe that diversity drives innovation and commit to create an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace where our differences are celebrated as drivers of our organization’s performance.

TO SUPPORT A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE AT WEDC, WE WILL WORK TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING GOALS:

• Increase WEDC’s racial diversity, specifically with Black/African American, Native American and Latinx populations;
• Increase LGBTQ representation across WEDC; and
• Increase the diversity of WEDC’s leadership.

TO MEET OUR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION GOALS, WEDC WILL TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:

• Create an intentional approach to recruit minority candidates by using targeted media channels to promote open positions;
• Ensure formal offers are made only after a diverse pool of candidates have been considered at each hiring stage;
• Identify and develop a variety of employee resource groups, including groups for African Americans, Hispanics and Latinos, LGBTQ+ and more;
• Post signage to highlight WEDC’s commitment to diversity and inclusion; and
• Revisit EEO disclosures in our application process to highlight statements regarding WEDC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution and EEO/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications, and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation.

Applicants for employment are invited to participate in affirmative action program by reporting their status as a protected veteran or other minority. In extending this invitation, we advise you that: (a) workers (applicants) are under no obligation to respond but may do so in the future if they choose; (b) responses will remain confidential within the human resource department; and (c) responses will be used only for the necessary information. Refusal to provide this information will have no bearing on your application and will not subject you to any adverse treatment.
** PROTECTED VETERAN DEFINITION

Protected veteranmeans a veteran who may be classified as an active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran, disabled veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran or recently separated veteran.

Active duty wartime or campaign badge veteranmeans a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

Armed Forces service medal veteranmeans any veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985 (61 FR 1209, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 159).

Disabled veteranmeans (1) a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,or(2) a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

Recently separated veteranmeans a veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service.

* EEOC RACE/ETHNIC IDENTIFICATION CATEGORIES

Hispanic or Latino -A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.

White(not Hispanic or Latino)-A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.

Black or African American(not Hispanic or Latino)-A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander(not Hispanic or Latino)-A person having origins in any of the peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.

Asian(not Hispanic or Latino)-A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian Subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand and Vietnam.

American Indian or Alaska Native(not Hispanic or Latino)-A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintain tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Two or more races(not Hispanic or Latino)-All persons who identify with more than one of the above races.