Lead - Innovation and Start-up cell

Position Overview:

The Lead – Innovation and Start-up Cell will be responsible for fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem, guiding start-up initiatives, managing innovation programs, and coordinating with various stakeholders including students, faculty, start-ups, investors, and government bodies. This individual will serve as the strategic and operational head of the innovation and start-up cell and will be instrumental in nurturing innovation and converting ideas into viable ventures.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Planning & Execution

Develop and implement short and long-term strategies to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

Align cell objectives with institutional goals and national innovation frameworks (e.g., Startup India, Atal Innovation Mission).

Identify key areas of innovation and technology commercialization opportunities.

2. Ecosystem Development

Establish and strengthen collaboration with incubators, accelerators, investors, industry bodies, and academic partners.

Build and maintain a vibrant innovation ecosystem within the institution.

Organize hackathons, ideation challenges, bootcamps, and start-up summits.

3. Start-up Support

Guide start-ups in areas such as business model validation, product development, market entry, and fundraising.

Facilitate mentorship from domain experts, investors, and alumni entrepreneurs.

Support incubated start-ups with access to labs, infrastructure, and funding opportunities.

4. Policy & Compliance

Draft and implement innovation and start-up policies in line with national guidelines.

Ensure compliance with institutional and government protocols related to start-up funding and IP management.

Monitor and report performance metrics for internal review and external audits.

5. Capacity Building & Outreach

Conduct workshops, seminars, and courses on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Engage with students and faculty to build awareness and participation in start-up activities.

Promote successful innovations and ventures through media and outreach.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Management, Innovation, or related fields.

Proven experience (5+ years) in innovation management, start-up ecosystems, incubation/acceleration programs, or technology transfer.

Strong understanding of entrepreneurial trends, lean start-up methodologies, and funding mechanisms.

Desirable Skills:

Excellent leadership and project management abilities.

Strong communication, networking, and stakeholder management skills.

Knowledge of IP management, fundraising (VC/Angel/Grants), and government schemes (e.g., DST, MSME, NITI Aayog).

Prior experience working in/with start-ups, incubators, or innovation cells.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

Number of start-ups supported/incubated

Funds raised for/by start-ups

Number of innovation programs/events conducted

Industry collaborations and MOUs signed

IPs filed, granted, or commercialized

Start-up survival and growth rate