Venture Engagement Manager

We are looking for a highly organized, results-driven Venture Engagement Manager to support the delivery of our Canada programs through direct founder engagement — working closely with high-potential companies to accelerate their growth and connecting them to the right partners, capital, and opportunities at the right time. Working across multiple programs and partner relationships, you will contribute to a team that is ambitious, collaborative, and deeply committed to the quality of what we deliver. This is a role for someone who is energized by working directly with founders, builds trust quickly, and brings the presence and communication skills to represent THRIVE credibly across the startup and innovation ecosystem. Key Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of ventures through consistent 1:1 consultative engagement, in-depth growth assessments, milestone roadmaps, and targeted connections to corporates, investors, and other ecosystem stakeholders. Serve as the primary point of contact for founders throughout their engagement with THRIVE, building trusted relationships that drive meaningful outcomes. Monitor venture progress, engagement levels, and outcomes against program milestones, proactively identifying and addressing barriers to growth. Coordinate mentor matching and support founder success through tailored introductions and relationship facilitation. Act as a connector between ventures and the corporate and investment teams, to drive high-value engagements and measurable outcomes. Recruitment & Intake

Identify, recruit, and onboard high-potential ventures into THRIVE’s programs, contributing to a shared team intake pipeline. Lead application review and selection processes, assessing ventures against program criteria and THRIVE’s thesis. Support a smooth onboarding experience for new program participants, ensuring they are set up for success from day one. Program Support & Delivery

Support active program cohorts as needed, contributing to session delivery, workshop facilitation, and participant experience. Identify opportunities to improve participant experience, capturing insights and feedback to help refine future programs. Collaborate closely with the broader THRIVE team, sharing insights and coordinating to deliver a seamless, high-quality experience across all programs. Reporting & Outcomes

Track and document venture progress against program KPIs and impact metrics, ensuring accurate and timely reporting. Support compliance and reporting requirements for government and other funding partners. Maintain accurate records and documentation across programs and portfolio companies. Ecosystem & Alumni Engagement

Maintain relationships with program alumni through regular check-ins and networking activations, building a strong and lasting alumni network over time. Represent THRIVE at industry events, conferences, and ecosystem gatherings to build pipeline, deepen relationships, and strengthen our presence in key markets. Contribute to ecosystem development through partner engagement and targeted prospecting in support of program recruitment. What You Bring

Must-Have 3–5 years of experience in a startup ecosystem, accelerator, venture program, or innovation-focused organization. Demonstrated experience supporting or delivering accelerator or innovation programs, with a strong understanding of what founders need at different stages of growth. Experience with government-funded programs or public sector reporting requirements. A natural relationship builder – you’re comfortable engaging with founders, corporates, and investors, and you know how to earn trust quickly. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent THRIVE credibly in a variety of settings. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple ventures and workstreams simultaneously. Proactive and adaptable – comfortable operating independently in a cross-functional, fast-moving environment where priorities can shift. A collaborative team player with an entrepreneurial mindset and a bias toward action. Nice-to-Have

Genuine curiosity about and interest in the agrifood, energy, or cleantech sectors. Why Join THRIVE

Work at the forefront of global agrifood and cleantech innovation, supporting ventures that are shaping the future of food and agriculture. Lead high-impact programs with startups, corporates, and government partners across Canada. Join a collaborative, mission-driven team with a global network and a growing global presence. Take on meaningful ownership from day one, with real responsibility for founder outcomes and program quality.

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