Startup Innovation Lead

Job Title: Lead – Innovation Strategy & Ecosystem Partnerships //Startup Innovation lead

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We are looking for a strategic, execution-focused innovation leader to drive enterprise transformation through open innovation, emerging technology adoption, and startup ecosystem engagement. The ideal candidate brings experience at the intersection of startup acceleration, corporate partnerships, and business consulting—paired with strong stakeholder management skills and a deep understanding of innovation trends.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and execution of corporate innovation programs—translating ideas into business cases and scalable capabilities.
• Engage with senior global stakeholders (VPs, Directors, CxOs) across functions to identify innovation needs and define collaborative solutioning strategies.
• Manage the innovation pipeline by scouting, evaluating, and aligning startup solutions to enterprise use cases.
• Facilitate innovation-led formats including workshops, hackathons, cohort-based accelerators, and sector-specific innovation challenges.
• Build and nurture relationships across the ecosystem—VCs, accelerators, government bodies, academia, and global innovation networks—to source external innovation opportunities.
• Drive ecosystem engagement strategies across emerging technology areas such as AI, IoT, blockchain, metaverse, analytics, and Web 3.0.
• Develop and publish thought leadership (whitepapers, research insights) that align with strategic tech focus areas, market gaps, or business unit needs.
• Provide mentorship and GTM advisory to early-stage startups as part of ongoing programs or partnerships.
• Contribute to strategic discussions around new venture creation, deal matchmaking, and M&A-aligned innovation plays (preferred).
• Collaborate cross-functionally with product, business, and innovation leaders to ensure alignment of startup engagement with enterprise objectives.

Must-Have Qualifications:

• 8–10 years of experience across startup acceleration, innovation consulting, and ecosystem strategy.
• Prior experience in or alongside Big 4, corporate innovation units, or startup venture programs.
• Proven success in managing cross-functional innovation programs and working with large enterprise clients.
• Demonstrated global stakeholder management skills and experience handling C-level conversations.
• Exposure to emerging technologies and market-first innovation frameworks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in deal flow curation, corporate venture capital, or M&A/investor relations within a startup ecosystem context.
• Understanding of the manufacturing sector value chain and ability to shape innovation roadmaps tailored to industrial needs.

Ideal Candidate Traits:

• High ownership and accountability; thrives in unstructured environments.
• Strong ecosystem instincts—able to navigate startup, corporate, and government landscapes with ease.
• Street-smart, articulate, and execution-driven, with a sharp understanding of both business goals and innovation imperatives.