Contract Associate (Entrepreneur in Residence)
Job Summary
Position Title:
Contract Associate (Entrepreneur in Residence)Appointment Type:
ContractJob Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The ISU Startup Factory Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) will serve as a member of the startup incubator teaching team and will work collaboratively with the director and program manager of the ISU Startup Factory within the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. Startup Factory participants are typically very early often idea-stage companies. The individual in this role will provide general guidance to incubator participants ensuring that the overall curriculum is meeting their needs. The EIR will assist the Startup Factory team in facilitating and delivering content and will work one-on-one with assigned participants to guide them through the program. Additionally the EIR will facilitate industry and professional connections for the cohort members on behalf of the program as needed.
EIR expertise and guidance will focus on:
- Overall business model and business strategy development
- Customer Discovery
- Intellectual property
- Funding sources and investor readiness
- Pitch and presentation preparation
- Team development
- Industry expertise and connections
- Professional service provider and network introductions
Expectations of EIR:
- Attend Monday (12:30-1:30) teaching team sessions plus Tuesday (10-12) and Thursday (9-10) cohort sessions during the Startup Factory cohort program period (two cohorts per year early August-December and early January-mid-May). Most sessions are held virtually with some in-person sessions expected.
- May be asked to create design and facilitate new or existing program sessions as determined by team planning and cohort needs.
- Independently and directly mentor 2-3 cohort founders/teams outside of scheduled class sessions.
- Contribute on average 8 hours per week by attending sessions and mentoring cohort members with hours not to exceed 416 during the course of the contract year.
- Be compensated at an agreed-upon hourly rate for hours recorded.
- Flexibility to work as available during active program periods or as requested by the Startup Factory director and program manager. The estimated time commitment is flexible but targeted at 8 hours per week.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors degree or demonstrable startup experience
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity or prior engagement with the central Midwest startup ecosystem
- Experience as a founder or CEO of a startup company
- Have raised capital for a startup or facilitated that process for/with a startup
- Have advised or supported startups in a professional capacity
- Served as a technical founder/co-founder or member of a startup or entrepreneurial venture
- Worked as an industry partner with startup companies
- Demonstrated experience using and evaluating AI and business development software programs
Department/Program & College Description:
The ISU Startup Factory is a startup incubator helping researchers and inventors develop a roadmap to realize the societal and economic impact of their high-tech innovations. Our goal is to help innovators and founders move from tech-speak to business-speak.
Department Unit/Website:
must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position please click on Apply and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process please email or call or Toll Free: 1-.
Proposed Start Date:
July 1 2026Number of Months Employed Per Year:
12 Month Work PeriodTime Type:
Part timePay Grade:
ContractOriginal Posting Date:
May 29 2026Posting Close Date:
June 18 2026Job Requisition Number:
R19290Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race color age ethnicity religion national origin pregnancy sexual orientation genetic information sex marital status disability or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity 2680 Beardshear Hall 515 Morrill Road Ames Iowa 50011 Tel. email .
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
Required Experience:
Staff IC
About Company
Attending Iowa State University of Science and Technology (ISU) can be a whirlwind experience for some. ISU is a public land-grant institution offering higher education courses and programs with an emphasis on science, technology, and related areas. It's also home to the Cyclones athl ... View more