Job Description

Startup Ecosystem Director

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

Position Description

Position Title: Startup Ecosystem Director

Department:                  Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Reports to:                    Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Position(s) Supervised: Entrepreneurship & Ecosystem Programs Manager

FLSA Status:                 Exempt

*WEDC is a Wisconsin-based organization, with a remote-work first environment. Remote work is intended to be performed in the State of Wisconsin.

Position Summary

The Startup Ecosystem Director is responsible for developing, refining and implementing programs and policies that increase high-growth startups and expand and mature the innovation ecosystem in the State of Wisconsin.

The position plays a critical leadership role in shaping and strengthening Wisconsin’s innovation economy and is responsible for designing and delivering programs, partnerships, and strategic initiatives that accelerate the development of high-growth startups, build ecosystem density, and position Wisconsin as a premier destination for entrepreneurial growth.

Working at the intersection of government, private sector, higher education, and community partners, the Director leads efforts to increase the number of scalable startups, enhance connectedness across regions and sectors, and cultivate an inclusive, resilient startup ecosystem that reflects the full potential of Wisconsin’s people, places, and industries.

This position participates in program and project development, public outreach, disseminates program information and is an active leader in project-related work groups and committees in the organization.

The position will have additional responsibilities of supervising the activities of the Entrepreneurship & Ecosystem Programs Manager including application process, CRM account accuracy, customer communications, annual reporting and verifications, sponsorship activities and overall performance monitoring.

Responsibilities

The Startup Ecosystem Director will spend a majority of their time in these activities:

Program Leadership and Management

• Design, launch, and manage entrepreneurship-focused programs that support high-growth startups and emerging founders across Wisconsin.
• Lead initiatives aimed at ecosystem development, including accelerator support, founder pipelines, investor engagement, and talent connectivity.
• Oversee grantmaking, technical assistance, and performance tracking for ecosystem-building partners and programs.
• Work closely with internal teams to align program investments with broader economic development goals and statewide strategies.
• Lead analysis of venture program data, trends and outcomes; prepare and disseminate reports on program outcomes for a broad audience including WEDC board, State legislature, and industry professionals

Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships

• Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with venture capital firms, universities, corporations, national accelerators, and entrepreneurial support organizations.
• Identify and advance opportunities to attract and retain high-growth startups through targeted campaigns, partnerships, or regional collaborations.
• Collaborate with other state agencies and local development organizations to integrate innovation and entrepreneurship into statewide economic development plans.
• Represent Wisconsin in national and global networks and thought leadership platforms related to innovation, startups, and entrepreneurial ecosystem building.

Startup Attraction

• Develop and lead domestic and global startup attraction strategies to bring new, high-potential ventures to Wisconsin.
• Build and manage partnerships with accelerators, regional and global investment associations, and technology-based economic development organizations to identify and recruit diverse startup teams.
• Launch targeted initiatives to increase the density and diversity of Wisconsin’s startup ecosystem—geographically, demographically, and by sector.
• Collaborate with regional and national partners to create partnerships, initiatives and incentive pathways that support the relocation or expansion of promising startups to Wisconsin.
• Track and report outcomes related to startup attraction and coordinate storytelling strategies

Ecosystem Development and Thought Leadership

• Map, track, and assess the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to identify gaps, strengths, and emerging opportunities.
• Develop and share insights on trends affecting startup growth, innovation policy, venture capital, and ecosystem performance.
• Support the development of storytelling and data tools that demonstrate Wisconsin’s strengths as a launchpad for high-growth ventures.
• Facilitate convenings, working groups, and cross-sector collaborations that strengthen the entrepreneurial landscape statewide.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Economics, Human Ecology, Nonprofit Leadership, Public Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline — or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, venture capital, commercialization and technology transfer, startup programs, or related field.
• Proven success in program management and ecosystem building, with a strong track record of supporting high-growth startups.
• Familiarity with federal and peer-state programs focused on ecosystem development and support, entrepreneurial ecosystems, startup life cycles, and innovation funding models (e.g., angel, venture, federal SBIR/STTR).
• Experience working with high technology companies, especially in the biotechnology, software, medical device, advanced manufacturing, material science, green/clean tech, and communications fields. Leading to Strong understanding of organizational strategies and development timeline for high tech and emerging growth companies.

Skills and Talents: 

• Ability to conduct investment due diligence.
• Ability to manage and lead a productive and engaged team
• Deep understanding of financing mechanisms including equity investments, private placements, convertible notes and securities regulations.
• Quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership, partnership development, and cross-sector collaboration skills.
• Ability to source and execute business deals.
• High energy, enthusiastic, quick to response to requests and opportunities.
• Strong project management skills
• PC applications and systems including word processing, spreadsheet, database management and Windows software.
• Demonstrated ability to partner and influence at all levels in the business and to be viewed as a credible, valuable source of information and integral part of management team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to deal effectively with senior executives as well as diverse groups of people internal and external to the organization.

Other Requirements:

• National and state-wide travel will occur on an occasional basis, less than 20% of the time.  Travel is anticipated to include day and overnight travel.
• This position is eligible for reimbursement according to the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. 
• Based on the responsibilities of this position, this position may need to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. 

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