Startup Incubator Job – Program Lead – Artpark, IISC Bangalore

Location: Bangalore

Type: Full-time

About the Role

Leads the startup investments/grants and incubation program from end to end, overseeing both the investments/grants pipeline and the incubation journey. Responsible for process, execution, outcomes and reporting of programs. Deep-tech focus areas: robotics, connected autonomous systems, and AI.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design and execute the full startup program lifecycle – from outreach and investment to post-investment incubation and scale-up.

2. Define and manage a robust process for identifying promising technologies and teams, conducting due diligence, executing investment/grants transaction process including all legal/compliance documentation, and funding disbursement. Ensure smooth coordination with internal and external finance and legal teams.

3. Create and execute a high-touch incubation program specifically for very early-stage teams/startups developing technologies and products based on deep-tech research and may not yet have a full founding team. Define and monitor KPIs for startup progress and program success. Identify and engage appropriate mentors/advisors for technology, product, business development and fundraising.

4. Ensure consistent, high-quality quantitative and qualitative reporting on technologies, products, patents, and other relevant outcomes to stakeholders.

5. Collaborate with internal and external teams on marketing, communications, outreach and events.

6. Continuously improve program design based on needs, feedback, and evolving ecosystem.

Experience & Skills:

1. 7+ years of experience in startup ecosystems, accelerators, venture capital, or innovation programs.

2. Proven leadership and program management skills, demonstrating the ability to create structure and predictability in fast-paced environments with uncertainty and ambiguity.

3. Experience with the process of executing investments and grants, including regulatory / compliance / legal/financial formalities.

4. Strong understanding of the lifecycle of very early-stage deep-tech products and startups.

5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

6. Experience in building and managing external partnerships and stakeholders.

7. Comfortable with data-driven decision-making and reporting.

8. Ability and discipline to get things done coordinating with many internal and external collaborators and stakeholders, including government agencies whose requirements change frequently.

9. Useful backgrounds

   -First-hand experience as a startup founder or early team member

   -Familiarity with technologies relevant to robotics, autonomous systems and AI.

ARTPARK @ IISc :  Innovation factory for next-gen robotics & AI
ARTPARK is India’s leading deep-tech venture builder and incubator focused on robotics, connected autonomous systems, and AI. Leveraging our unique facilities and ecosystems, we strive to provide meaningful support to very early-stage startups building deep-tech products based in research. We are a nonprofit organization created by Indian Institute of Science (IISc, Bengaluru) with support from the Department of Science & Technology (Government of India) and the Government of Karnataka.

Join our community of Incubators/Accelerators here – https://nas.io/tsw-ecosystem-community