Company Overview

Northeast Ohio’s first open innovation hub, Bounce is 300,000 sq. ft. and nine stories of coworking, creative, event and professional office and lab space with more than 50 resident companies. Bounce offers a variety of programs to support tech and non-tech entrepreneurs and small businesses in an exciting, modern space designed to get work done.

Bounce programming focuses on healthtech, software and polymer startups, as well as workshops for entrepreneurs and small business owners in any industry. Services include coworking and office space, a creative co-op/makerspace, event space and a coffee shop and café. Bounce is for entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers, creatives, gamers, startups, small businesses and corporate innovation teams.

Job Summary:

The Investment Strategist is a key member of the Synthe6 Materials Accelerator team, responsible for connecting polymer and advanced materials startups to the capital they need to grow. Working closely with startup founders, advisors and Bounce leadership, this role builds and maintains a network of relevant investors, provides candid guidance to startups on their investment readiness, makes introductions to strategic and financial investors at the appropriate time, and supports events that create visibility for Synthe6 startups. The Investment Strategist also contributes to strategic conversations about emerging investment vehicles, including the potential creation of a Polymer Industry Cluster Fund.

Job Duties:

Build and maintain a database and network of relevant investors

· Research and identify strategic investors, corporate venture capital arms, angel investors, family offices, venture capital firms and other funding sources with interest in polymers, advanced materials and related sectors

· Develop and maintain a centralized, well-organized database of investor contacts, including their investment theses, stage preferences, sector interests and contact history

· Continuously expand Bounce's investor network through outreach, attending industry events, leveraging Polymer Industry Cluster (PIC) corporate member relationships and cultivating personal connections

· Stay current on investment trends in advanced materials, sustainability, circular economy and adjacent sectors to identify emerging funding opportunities for startups

Provide candid investment readiness guidance to startups and facilitate investor introductions

· Assess individual startups' readiness for fundraising and provide honest, constructive feedback on their pitch materials, financial models, valuations and overall investor appeal

· Advise startups on which types of investors are the best fit for their stage, sector and goals, and coach them on how to prepare for investor conversations

· Make warm introductions between startups and investors when the timing and fit are appropriate, and support founders through the introductory process

· Collaborate with the Client Success Manager, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence and business advisors to align investment guidance with each startup's broader milestones and strategy

Support strategy conversations around a potential Polymer Industry Cluster Fund

· Contribute to discussions with Bounce leadership, PIC leadership and potential fund partners about the feasibility, structure and strategy of a Polymer Industry Cluster Fund that would invest in advanced materials startups, including Synthe6 graduates

· Research comparable fund models and best practices from other industry clusters, accelerators or regional investment vehicles

· Help articulate the value proposition and investment thesis for such a fund to potential limited partners and stakeholders

· Support outreach to potential anchor investors or institutional partners as directed

Support demo days and investor-facing events

· Help plan and execute Synthe6 demo days, ensuring startups are well-prepared to present to an audience of potential investors, corporate partners and industry leaders

· Identify and invite relevant investors and funding sources to demo days and other Synthe6 events

· Support or help organize other investor-facing programming such as pitch nights, investor panels or networking events that create meaningful touchpoints between startups and capital sources

· Represent Bounce and Synthe6 at external conferences, pitch competitions and industry gatherings to build relationships and raise the program's visibility in the investment community

Proposed: 1099 Contractor, part-time, competitive compensation

Key Requirements

· 7+ years of experience in venture capital, angel investing, corporate venture, investment banking, or fundraising advisory roles, with a strong track record of connecting startups to capital

· Deep existing network of investors, particularly those active in advanced materials, polymers, chemicals, manufacturing, sustainability or related sectors

· Familiarity with the startup fundraising process from seed through growth stages, including an understanding of term sheets, valuations and deal structures

· Strong understanding of the polymer and advanced materials industry landscape; direct industry experience is preferred but not required

· Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills; comfortable making warm introductions and facilitating conversations between founders and investors

· Ability to deliver candid, constructive feedback to entrepreneurs at varying levels of investment readiness

· Experience with or interest in fund formation, including familiarity with LP/GP structures, is a plus

· Strong organizational skills and comfort maintaining investor databases and tracking outreach

· Self-starter with the ability to work independently in a part-time, contract capacity

· Willingness to attend in-person events in the Akron, Ohio area periodically

To apply for this role, please send resume and 1-page cover letter to nglavan@bouncehub.org with the subject line "Synthe6 Investment Strategist Application [First and Last Name]"