Startup Referral Partner - Chicago

Acquisition Network LLC; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Acquisition Network LLC is seeking a Startup Referral Partner in Chicago. This remote, independent contractor role focuses on qualified founder referrals and professional partner follow-through, building trusted relationships with founders, operators, investors, accelerators, and startup advisors.

You will identify founders whose objectives fit the qualification criteria, obtain permission before introductions, and maintain timely records.

Qualifications

• Established relationships in the Chicago startup ecosystem.
• Experience as a founder, operator, investor, advisor, accelerator leader, consultant, attorney, accountant, recruiter, or partnership professional.
• Strong judgment about founder fit, timing, confidentiality, and consent.
• Clear written and verbal communication with senior professionals.
• Reliable follow-through and comfort managing a relationship pipeline independently.
• Ability to disclose conflicts and protect sensitive founder and company information.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with founders, operators, investors, accelerators, and startup advisors in Chicago.
• Identify founders whose companies and objectives fit the current qualification criteria.
• Hold an initial professional conversation to understand the company, stage, goals, and immediate needs.
• Obtain permission before making an introduction or sharing contact information.
• Provide concise, accurate context so the internal team can prepare for each founder conversation.
• Maintain timely records of outreach, introductions, status, and agreed follow-up.
• Represent the organization accurately without promising funding, customers, or business results.

Job description

Acquisition Network works with founders and growth companies through strategic partnerships, capital, recruiting, and operating support.

The role

Acquisition Network is seeking a Startup Referral Partner focused on qualified founder referrals and professional partner follow-through in Chicago. This is a salaried, remote independent contractor role for an experienced professional who already participates in the startup ecosystem.

The work centers on trusted relationships and qualified introductions. It does not authorize securities activity, legal advice, investment advice, or promises about funding or business outcomes.

What you will do

• Build trusted relationships with founders, operators, investors, accelerators, and startup advisors in Chicago.
• Identify founders whose companies and objectives fit the current qualification criteria.
• Hold an initial professional conversation to understand the company, stage, goals, and immediate needs.
• Obtain permission before making an introduction or sharing contact information.
• Provide concise, accurate context so the internal team can prepare for each founder conversation.
• Maintain timely records of outreach, introductions, status, and agreed follow-up.
• Represent the organization accurately without promising funding, customers, or business results.

What we are looking for

• Established relationships in the Chicago startup ecosystem.
• Experience as a founder, operator, investor, advisor, accelerator leader, consultant, attorney, accountant, recruiter, or partnership professional.
• Strong judgment about founder fit, timing, confidentiality, and consent.
• Clear written and verbal communication with senior professionals.
• Reliable follow-through and comfort managing a relationship pipeline independently.
• Ability to disclose conflicts and protect sensitive founder and company information.

This is a remote independent contractor engagement with flexible scheduling and a primary relationship focus in Chicago. The role offers a fixed annual salary within the approved range for the position. Final salary depends on experience, seniority, and the agreed scope of work.

Professional standards

Do not submit founder names, prospect lists, live deals, financial information, or confidential company material with your application. Introductions must be permission-based, conflicts must be disclosed, and all external communication must accurately describe the role.

Acquisition Network provides equal opportunity without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law.