Customer Discovery Advisor (Independent Contractor)

We are seeking an experienced specialist of customer discovery qualitative research and early validation to join our talented team of Advisors. As a Customer Discovery Advisor you will play a critical role in helping early-stage founders (primarily in our Startup Fundamentals training IO Ignition and IO Flex) develop evidence-based foundations for their business by deeply understanding customer needs validating assumptions and avoiding the risks of building products no one wants.

Our Companies

The companies supported through our early-stage programmingranging from our one-to-many Startup Fundamentals sessions to the 10-week IO Ignition bootcamp to our light-touch IO Flex communityrepresent a wide spectrum of founder experience and business maturity. Some arrive with nothing more than an idea while others have early prototypes active users or initial revenue. As the entry point to the broader IO Venture Path these programs help founders build the essential foundations of their business regardless of stage. A core focus across all early-stage programming is instilling the principles of customer discoveryteaching founders how to replace assumptions with evidence deeply understand the needs and motivations of their customers and continuously validate their problem market and solution as they grow.

Our Advisors

Our Advisors are independent contractors typically with their own thriving consulting practices. They are available between 15-20 hours per month and paid the standard advisor rate of $150/hour. Please note that these hours are not guaranteed and will depend on client demand each month which will enable you to participate in meetings with Invest Ottawa team members and to attend key events.

Reporting to Invest Ottawas Director Venture Programs as a part-time contractor the Customer Discovery Advisor will support clients by:

• Providing direct one-on-one advisory to founders of early-stage tech startups focused on structured customer discovery and early validation techniques
• Guide founders in creating research objectives problem statements and assumptions to test
• Coach founders on identifying who to interview and multiple outreach tactics
• Support founders in selecting and executing appropriate primary research methods (interviews focus groups observation surveys) and using secondary market research
• Train founders to run objective non-biased customer discovery interviews without pitching to gather facts behaviours and context
• Help founders organize qualitative data into insights patterns and implications for problem/solution fit
• Advise on when to iterate pivot or stop based on evidence
• Suggest tools and resources to clients depending on their stage and needs

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Have previously been a founder or early employee of a successful tech startup and/or have previously been a founder or early employee of a failed tech startup or a startup that pivoted
• Are familiar with the first steps in starting a company and validating the problem through customer discovery lean startup and initial growth strategies
• Have hands-on experience designing and conducting interviews research studies or market validation efforts that gather factual behavioural insights
• Have demonstrated experience as a leader advisor and/or mentor
• Ability to quickly assess companies challenges and provide appropriate on the spot guidance
• Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to build trusting relationships and strong communication skills (especially as a great listener)
• Are passionate about seeing founders succeed and are willing to have difficult conversations to help the founder grow
• Are predominantly located in the Ottawa region and can attend in-person meetings and events at times
• Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset

When applying please highlight a list of early-stage companies you have worked with previously formally or informally as an advisor or consultant.

Our Commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion

At Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards we know that diversity equity inclusion and creating an environment of belonging are critical success factors for globally competitive organizations and are required to drive sustainable wealth creation and prosperity across our region. We strive to create inclusive systems and cultures and infuse diversity into our programs operations and governance. As an equal opportunity employer that doesnt simply accept difference but celebrates support and thrives because of it we invite all qualified candidates to apply and especially encourage applications from those who identify as members of underrepresented groups.

Invest Ottawa is committed to fostering diversity equity and inclusion. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are inspired by our mission to shape Ottawas economic future.

Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards are determined to provide a barrier-free work environment starting with the hiring process. If you require accommodation during any phase of the evaluation process please contact to request specialized accommodation. Do know all information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential. Join us in driving Ottawas leadership in innovation entrepreneurship and economic growth.

Required Experience:

Contract