The Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs 6,000 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of 16,000 people, including over 10,000 students and 3,500 researchers from 120 different countries.

Head of Start-Up Unit (100%)

Your mission :

For more than 20 years, EPFL has been a key player in innovation and entrepreneurship in Switzerland. It promotes innovation activities with industry, sets up new programs to encourage entrepreneurship and new thematic initiatives to strengthen collaboration with businesses.To contribute to the strategic development of the Start-Up Unit and of EPFL’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Vice Presidency for Innovation is looking for a Head of Start-Up Unit.
Main duties and responsibilities include :


1)
Entrepreneurship support programs

• Manage and further develop EPFL’s entrepreneurship support programs, incl. financial support


• Perform fundraising activities to increase the funding potential for start-ups, and to engage in additional support activities

2)
Outreach - Awareness creation – Training

• Organise events for promoting entrepreneurship among EPFL’s communities (students, researchers, etc.).


• Develop a strong ecosystem with local partners that can help promoting entrepreneurship


• Contribute to entrepreneurship training programs


• Contribute to the development of immersive entrepreneurship trips


• Participate in juries, committees, and boards related to startups prizes/ competitions/ financial support mechanisms


• Ensure maintenance of communication tools (website, etc.)

3)
Infrastructures & Office spaces for entrepreneurs and startups on EPFL’s campus

• Contribute to the management of the incubator, in coordination with the EPFL Innovation Park Foundation


• Validate decision making processes for the assignment of office spaces to start-ups in the start-up zone of EPFL Innovation Park, with the EPFL Innovation Park Foundation

4)
Access to investors and to clients

• Improve access to investors and to clients for entrepreneurs


• Organise visits to EPFL’s startup ecosystem for top investors


• Organise visits to EPFL’s startup ecosystem for corporate companies

5)
Role as member of VPI management team

• Manage the start-up unit team


• Support the Vice President in representation activities


• Contribute to reporting duties (EPFL’s Senior Management, ETH Board, etc.)


• Compile statistics and produce detailed reports on EPFL’s startup ecosystem.


• Provide benchmarking with other start-up ecosystems and with entrepreneurial activities of other institutions


• Envision/implement strategic advances for the EPFL start-up ecosystem under guidance of the Vice President

Your profile :

• Education: scientific or engineering background (at least at the MSc level) or degree in management with a strong interest and track-record in deep-tech working environments.


• Professional experience: proven experience in the fields of entrepreneurship and/or innovation including related domains such as venture funding (minimum 7-10 years of experience).


• Significant knowledge of innovation/entrepreneurship related to deep-tech academic ecosystems.


• Former professional experience as an entrepreneur and/or as a startup investor is a plus.


• A good network (investors, VCs, etc.) will be a strong asset.


• Languages: Fluency in English required, fluency in French a very strong asset, other languages (e.g. German/ Swiss German) would be a plus.


• Soft skills, personality: team player with proven management skills, entrepreneurial mindset, result-oriented, curios and open-minded.

We offer :

• A stimulating and friendly work atmosphere


• Attractive working conditions


• Young, dynamic, interdisciplinary and international teams in one of Europe’s most innovative and entrepreneurial universities

Start date :

As soon as possible


Term of employment :

Unlimited (CDI)
Work rate :

100%
Contact :

For additional information, please contact Mrs Julia Binder by e-mail julia.binder@epfl.ch
Remark :

Only candidates who applied through EPFL website or our partner Jobup’s website will be considered.apply online