Description:

Director Startup Accelerator Program (Ipreneur)

About Ipreneur Startup Accelerator:

Ipreneur furnishes a powerful ecosystem: 2,000+ reviewed startups, a community of over 1,200 co-founders, 500+ angel investors, 200+ corporate partners, and 200+ expert mentors. In partnership with 12+ VCs and 16+ institutional funds, weve accelerated 50+ startups and maintain 30+ active portfolio companies. Our 12-week immersive program ensures founders receive customized gap analysis, tailored growth plans, investor readiness prep, mentorship, resources, and capital access - all culminating in transformative iPitch demo days.

Role Overview:

As Director Startup Accelerator Program, you will own the design and delivery of our accelerator. From scouting and selecting high-potential startups to shepherding them through our programand beyond - youll elevate Ipreneurs reputation as a premier launchpad for impactful ventures.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Startup Sourcing & Pipeline Development:

- Systematically identify and evaluate startups across domainstech, manufacturing, services etc.

- Leverage our extensive ecosystemco-founders, angels, corporates, mentorsand external partners (incubators, universities, industry bodies).

- Create engaging online content, PR, and strategic partnerships to drive high-quality applications.

- Represent Ipreneur at ecosystem events and lead internal showcase events like Demo Days and startup socials.

2. Selection & Due Diligence:

- Implement structured pipeline management: rigorous screening, scorecards, financial modelling.

- Apply a structured approach to understanding each founders needs and tailoring evaluation and support.

- Conduct market research and viability assessments.

- Oversee due diligence, drafting investment agreements in collaboration with legal, finance, and VC partners.

- Ensure founder-centric feedback loops to continuously refine program effectiveness.

3. Program Delivery & Founder Enablement:

- Design and deliver a 12-week immersive curriculum: workshops, bootcamps, pivot labs, and iPitch events.

- Act as a growth sherpa for startupsprovide hands-on, empathetic guidance without overshadowing.

- Facilitate workshops covering strategy, product development (end-to-end), marketing, sales, finance, fundraising, and operations.

- Employ design-thinking methods to frame, prototype, test, and iterate product concepts

- Coordinate mentor networks, domain experts, and service providers to enrich the program.

- Maintain transparent, data-driven communication with founders and stakeholders.

- Oversee alumni engagement, community-building events, and follow-on funding syndicates.

4. Ecosystem Building & Strategic Leadership:

- Champion program growth, recruiting and mentoring program team members.

- Work seamlessly with cross-functional teams (marketing, legal, finance) and external partners.

- Evaluate and implement technology tools for operational efficiency.

- Own profit-sharing or performance-based business model accountability.

Required Skills & Experience:

Professional Experience:

- Founder/cofounder or early-stage leadership experience in a funded, product-based startup with a growth/profitability trajectory; or

- Leadership role running an accelerator, incubator, or venture-building initiative.

- Demonstrable experience working with multiple startupsconsulting, acceleration, or VC rolesand strong access to the entrepreneurship ecosystem

- Proven ability to understand and respond to diverse founder needs through a structured approach.

Core Competencies:

- Analytical rigor: financial modelling, market validation, dashboard reporting.

- Product development mastery: endto-end design thinking and iterative prototyping.

- Exceptional communication skillsverbal and writtenwith founders, business leaders, peers, and mentors.

- Operational excellence in program delivery: pipeline management, cross-organizational coordination, event execution.

- Empathetic leadership: structured, humble, energetic, socially skilled, and patient with founders.

- Ability to navigate cross-functional teams and multiple organizational relationships seamlessly

Why Join Ipreneur?:

- Architect one of Indias most vibrant startup accelerators, rooted in a powerful network and proven track record.

- Guide disruptors to build market-shaping, sustainable ventures using design thinking and founder-centred approaches.

- Lead high-impact cohort-based programs that drive both social and economic value.

- Thrive in a fast-paced, founder-focused environment built on collaboration and purpose.