Job Description – Executive/Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR), Oregon
Employer: Oregon BEST, an independent non-profit corporation focused on economic development and
job creation in the clean technology sector and an equal opportunity employer
Job Title: Executive/Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR)
Location: Portland, Corvallis or Eugene, Oregon
Hours: Part-time (up to 50%, some flexibility required on schedule)
Start date: Immediate
Term: Various terms depending on candidate situation
Compensation: This is a compensated position paid on an hourly basis. Specific compensation to be
discussed with hiring manager.
Benefits: None
Overview:
Oregon BEST, a non-profit economic development organization focused on clean technology, is hiring
an Executive/Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR). This is a paid part-time position in Portland, Corvallis
or Eugene. The EIR will work within the Commercialization Program to find, mentor and evaluate
startup companies that could benefit from Oregon BEST’s programs. The ideal candidate will have
extensive expertise and experience in entrepreneurial management with an emphasis on R&D,
product development, fund raising, marketing or general management.
General Responsibilities:
Support the growth of companies and jobs in the cleantech industry in Oregon. Perform outreach
and networking to drive awareness of Oregon BEST programs. Identify early stage cleantech
companies in Oregon with high potential by building and managing a pipeline of companies. Facilitate
connection of startup companies to support resources and university faculty. Play lead role in vetting
and evaluation of companies seeking funding from Oregon BEST. Assist early stage companies in
developing business strategies. Mentor inexperienced entrepreneurs in key start up activities related
to team formation, strategic marketing, business development, strategic partnering, manufacturing
strategy and fund raising.
Duties:
1.
Perform targeted outreach within the cleantech, economic development and startup
ecosystems to enhance awareness of Oregon BEST and its funding and support programs
focused on commercialization assistance.
2. Collaborate with incubators, accelerators and other entrepreneurial support organizations to
drive awareness of Oregon BEST programs and stimulate startup activity in the clean technology
space.
3. Find, meet, track, rank and monitor a pipeline of prospective companies that could be good
candidates for support from Oregon BEST.
4. Make presentations to prospective companies on the range of support programs available from
Oregon BEST (e.g. commercialization project funding, SBIR/STTR grant writing assistance,
entrepreneurial mentoring, showcasing).
5. With other Oregon BEST staff members, work with prospective companies to identify
intersections between the companies’ R&D needs/plans and potential collaborators from
among Oregon BEST’s member faculty and potential capabilities in Oregon BEST’s labs that
could be helpful in commercializing the companies’ technology.
6. Provide feedback to teams (consisting of startup companies and university researchers) that are
developing funding proposals to Oregon BEST to assist them in “putting their best foot forward”.
7. Lead the staff evaluation and vetting of funding proposals by the Commercialization Advisory
Board including assessment of business strategies, value proposition, customer traction,
technology viability, market size and competitive positioning.
8. Monitor BEST funded projects to assure successful and timely accomplishment of milestones.
9. Assist and advise BEST funded companies on their most important startup issues such as
executive team formation, customer development, channel strategy, manufacturing strategy,
fund raising and strategic partnering.
Required Qualifications:
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Demonstrated experience as an entrepreneur in one or more startup companies or senior
executive in one or more high growth corporations
Demonstrated knowledge of early stage development and funding of technology companies
Extensive relevant work experience that can be drawn upon in advising and mentoring early
stage companies
Demonstrated ability to ramp up quickly in understanding the key attributes of technologies,
products, markets and teams that lead to successful startup companies
College degree in a relevant discipline
MBA or experience in entrepreneurial management roles or senior roles in growth companies
Existing network of contacts in the business, technology, and/or sustainability community in
Oregon
Oregon resident
Desired Qualifications (some combination of the following):
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Startup company CEO or Senior Management experience
Experienced in raising private capital
Startup company CEO or Senior Management experience in one or more companies that
successfully took an early stage company through product development to commercial sales
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Startup company CEO or Senior Management experience in a company that has delivered a
successful exit to investors (IPO or M&A)
5 plus years of experience in cleantech or a related industry including business development
responsibility
Experience as a licensor or licensee of university technology