Co-founder - Material Scientist

About TandemLaunch

TandemLaunch is a Canadian deep-tech venture builder that transforms breakthrough university research into scalable startups. We provide founders with pre-seed capital, access to cutting-edge facilities, and a network of mentors, industry partners, and investors. Our mission is to create companies that redefine industries by leveraging disruptive materials, hardware, and AI innovations.

Our next venture will commercialize a breakthrough material platform : stimulus-responsive meshes made from hydrogels that adapt their porosity in real time to environmental conditions .

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a Founding Technical Entrepreneur to lead a startup based on stimulus-responsive hydrogel mesh technology . These meshes can dynamically change pore size in response to moisture, temperature, light, salinity, or electric / magnetic fields , enabling tunable permeability. Potential applications span performance apparel, protective gear, medical devices, sports equipment, filtration systems, and smart building materials .

As the founding leader, you will validate the strongest commercial opportunities, develop prototype products, and guide the technical roadmap from lab-scale proof-of-concept to scalable manufacturing.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and refine prototype products showcasing the unique benefits of stimulus-responsive meshes (e.g., waterproof-yet-breathable apparel, self-regulating helmet liners, adaptive tent materials, medical membranes).
• Translate hydrogel fabrication methods (coating, impregnation, IPN / semi-IPN synthesis, 3D structuring) into scalable, manufacturable processes.
• Conduct early customer discovery to identify urgent pain points in target markets (outdoor gear, healthcare, filtration, etc.).
• Collaborate with TandemLaunch’s venture team to shape go-to-market strategy, validate regulatory pathways, and secure early adopters .
• Recruit and lead a founding technical team of polymer chemists, materials engineers, and product designers.

What We’re Looking For

We Offer