Head of Industry

All applications must be sent to:

Position Summary:

The Head of Industry & Investor Relations will be responsible for establishing and managing high-impact partnerships with industry leaders, investors, and corporate sponsors to drive the growth and sustainability of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in AI. This strategic role focuses on attracting sponsorships, securing investments, expanding industry collaborations, and managing equity stakes in startups.

The role requires business development, investor engagement, financial oversight, and strategic partnerships, ensuring that both industry and investment ecosystems align with the CoE's mission of accelerating AI innovation and fostering economic growth in Karnataka.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Industry & Corporate Partnerships

• Develop and implement a
  comprehensive industry engagement strategy
  to establish collaborations with corporations, technology leaders, and enterprise partners.
• Secure
  sponsorships
  for key CoE events, including
  Demo Days, AI Conferences, and the Problem Solvers' Corner
  .
• Establish long-term partnerships with
  Google, AWS, Nvidia, and other key players
  to provide startups with infrastructure support (cloud credits, GPUs, etc.).
• Expand the
  Problem Solvers' Corner
  , aligning startup solutions with real-world challenges from industry partners.
• Lead consulting engagements, positioning the CoE as a
  trusted AI strategy partner
  for corporates.

2. Investor Relations & Fundraising

• Build and manage relationships with
  angel investors, venture capitalists, and institutional funds
  , ensuring strong investor confidence in CoE-backed startups.
• Develop investor engagement strategies to
  attract funding
  for startups and CoE initiatives.
• Organize
  investor roadshows, Demo Days, and pitch events
  to showcase the best AI startups.
• Oversee
  equity stakes
  in startups, tracking valuations, monitoring performance, and preparing for liquidity events (acquisitions, IPOs).

3. Strategic Partnership Development

• Align
  corporate partnerships
  with
  investment opportunities
  , creating a seamless ecosystem that supports startup growth through funding and real-world applications.
• Work with
  accelerator startups
  to secure industry-backed pilot projects and commercialization opportunities.
• Collaborate with
  banks, venture funds, and alternative investment firms
  to drive co-investment and funding opportunities for startups.

4. Financial & Compliance Oversight

• Ensure
  compliance with governance frameworks
  for all equity transactions and investor interactions.
• Develop financial models and valuation metrics to
  maximize returns from CoE startup investments
  .
• Work with the finance and legal teams to finalize
  investment agreements, sponsorship contracts, and equity structures
  .
• Provide
  periodic reports
  to stakeholders on industry partnerships, startup valuations, and expected liquidity events.

5. Event & Community Engagement

• Drive active
  industry and investor participation
  in CoE's flagship events, including
  Demo Days, AI Summits, and networking forums
  .
• Develop compelling
  investor reports, pitch decks, and impact case studies
  highlighting the CoE's successes.
• Represent the CoE in
  public forums, investor conferences, and strategic AI discussions
  .

Qualifications and Experience:

• Education:
  Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience:
  Minimum
  10+ years
  in a combination of industry partnerships, investor relations, venture capital, or startup fundraising.
• Preferred engaging with technology giants, large enterprises, and AI-driven startups.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strategic Partnerships & Business Development:
  Ability to build long-term industry collaborations and managing corporate relations.
• Investor Relations & Fundraising:
  Ability to build trust with investors and communicate startup opportunities effectively.
• Financial Acumen:
  Expertise in financial modelling, startup valuation, and equity investment strategies.
• Revenue Generation:
  Ability to identify monetization opportunities through consulting services, sponsorships, and liquidity events.
• Event & Community Leadership:
  Experience in managing investor and industry-focused events to drive engagement.
• Negotiation & Communication:
  Strong negotiation and presentation skills for closing deals with sponsors and investors.

Compensation:

Competitive and commensurate with experience.

Why Join Us?

As the Head of Industry & Investor Relations
, you will play a
pivotal role in shaping the future of AI innovation in Karnataka
. You will:

• Drive high-impact industry collaborations
  that solve real-world AI challenges.
• Secure funding and sponsorships
  to ensure the sustainability of the CoE and its startups.
• Manage startup investments and equity stakes
  , positioning the CoE as a key player in AI-driven economic growth.
• Be at the forefront of AI innovation
  , working closely with leading corporations, investors, and ecosystem partners.
• If you're passionate about
  AI, startups, and building an innovation-driven ecosystem
  , this role offers a
  unique leadership opportunity to shape the future of AI in Karnataka
  .

Only applications sent to will be considered