Job description
Join CatalystLab Ventures as an Entrepreneurship Program Manager in Austin, TX. You will design, launch, and scale high-impact initiatives that empower founders to transform ideas into resilient, growth-ready ventures. This role blends program design, community-building, and hands-on mentorship to cultivate a thriving startup ecosystem.
We seek a strategic doer with a passion for entrepreneurship, excellent relationship-building skills, and a track record of delivering measurable outcomes in fast-paced environments.
Responsibility
- Design, implement, and scale entrepreneurship programs (incubators, accelerators, and accelerator-like initiatives) that support early-stage ventures from idea to traction.
- Build and manage partnerships with universities, research hubs, investors, coworking spaces, and corporate sponsors to expand opportunities for founders.
- Recruit, train, and mentor founders and program mentors; facilitate peer-learning and founder peer-to-peer support.
- Source, evaluate, and select high-potential startup ideas; provide structured feedback and criteria for investment-readiness.
- Plan and execute milestone-based curricula, workshops, and demo days; track outcomes and iterate based on data.
- Manage program budgets, timelines, and vendor relationships; ensure compliance and reporting across stakeholders.
- Represent the program at community events, conferences, and media opportunities to raise visibility and attract future participants.
Qualification
- Bachelor's degree in business, entrepreneurship, economics, or a related field (MBA preferred).
- 5+ years of experience in entrepreneurship ecosystems, venture development, startups, or accelerator programs.
- Proven track record building partnerships, raising funds or securing sponsorships, and delivering growth metrics.
- Strong communication, storytelling, and facilitation skills; proven ability to mentor diverse founders.
- Excellent project management, organization, and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
- Experience with budgeting, vendor management, and reporting; comfortable with ambiguity and change.
- Existing network in the Austin startup scene is a plus; willingness to travel 10-20% as needed.