Investor In Residence

Who We Are

Accelerate Okanagan (AO) is a not-for-profit business accelerator with office locations in Vernon and Kelowna, BC. We exist to give entrepreneurs the mentorship, connections and community they need to build technology-driven ventures. We believe a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem has the power to inspire innovation and transform community.

Our foundational values are:

• Innovation: We choose boldness, act with agility and learn from failure.
• Inclusivity: We are intentional collaborators, creating brave spaces for every voice.
• Focus: We are effective in our delivery, accountable for results and clear on our purpose.
• Sustainability: We support businesses, balanced founders, and healthy communities.

The Role: 

We are seeking an experienced venture capital investor (active or retired) to join our team as an Investor-in-Residence. The Investor-in-Residence (IiR) will work closely with our Capital program clients to help them navigate the VC fundraising process and make strategic investments. The IiR will also advise and support the AO programs team to build our capital programs and execute our capital-focused strategic directions. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the investment landscape and expertise in the VC fundraising process. The candidate should also have connections and relationships with multiple venture capital and investment firms.

Key Functions:

• Be the lead mentor for companies participating in AO’s Capital programs and coach teams to prepare for capital fundraising, including creating financial models, evaluating investment opportunities, and maintaining company hygiene
• Provide guidance on various aspects of their businesses including; growth management, leadership development, and operational efficiency
• Develop and maintain relationships with entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders in the startup ecosystem
• Support community members in the Okanagan tech startup community as-needed basis through 1:1 open office hours
• Lead AO to build capital programs, advise on capital-focused strategic directions and deliver content through 1:1’s and workshops
• Co-evaluate investment opportunities and perform due diligence on potential investments
• Stay up-to-date and report on trends and developments in the startup and capital ecosystem
• Attends and represents AO at industry events, meetups, roundtables and conferences (activities could be in the Okanagan and outside the region)

Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience in investing at various stages
• Experience working with startups, entrepreneurs, and technology companies
• Experience mentoring and coaching startups and technology companies
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills are an asset
• Management and leadership experience in financial management, operational efficiency, leadership development and board governance
• Strong business development skills, including establishing effective partnerships and sponsorships.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful strategies for growth and impact.
• Passion for the mission of Accelerate Okanagan and for the innovation ecosystem in the region

Next Steps:

The innovative nature of our organization demands team members who can thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment. This job description was designed to be a launch pad, responsibilities will continue to evolve as we continue to innovate and grow. There may also be an opportunity to explore an ongoing career with Accelerate Okanagan after the contract.

Accelerate Okanagan is committed to cultivating a culture that benefits from a breadth of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We know that we will grow stronger and learn better with a diverse team. We welcome the unique contributions that you might bring from your education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, and sexual orientation.

If you are looking for a career opportunity filled with excitement, challenge, and good people, you’ve found it.

If you are passionate about investing in startups and have a desire to work closely with entrepreneurs to help them succeed, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.

Application deadline: May 31st, 2023

Desired start date: June 15, 2023