Startup Scouting & Pipeline Manager

Overview

The Startup Scouting & Pipeline Manager will be responsible for building and maintaining a vibrant funnel of promising startups for program enrollment. The role involves proactive outreach to high-potential founders and companies, moving beyond merely reactive recruitment through inbound applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive scouting plan covering events, hackathons, university and diaspora networks, as well as online startup platforms, coordinating closely with the venture building team.
• Actively identify, engage, and manage prospective startups through every stage from initial approach up to intake.
• Establish and continuously refine selection benchmarks based on market insights from the Demand Engine and investment criteria supplied by the Capital Access Manager.
• Lead the screening, evaluation, and shortlisting of startups, organizing selection committees and juries for decision-making.
• Monitor and analyze trends within the startup ecosystem, including new sectors, technologies, and founder activities.
• Cultivate and sustain partnerships with key referral sources such as incubators, venture capital firms, academic institutions, and corporate entities.
• Provide regular updates on pipeline status and conversion metrics to the leadership team.

Required Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in venture capital scouting, accelerator management, startup ecosystem development, or similar fields.
• Strong analytical skills to assess early-stage startups regarding team capabilities, market opportunity, and traction.
• Well-established or quickly developable network connections within the startup ecosystem.
• Proficiency in managing deal flow with a structured, data-driven funnel approach rather than informal contact lists.

Collaborative Interfaces

• Engages prospective startups by handling outreach, qualification, pipeline advancement, and the intake workflow.
• Works with referral sources to secure quality leads and ecosystem intelligence.
• Coordinates with Demand Engine and Private Sector Business Development Managers to align scouting efforts with corporate demand signals.
• Collaborates with Investor Relations and Capital Access Manager to integrate market insights into startup readiness and selection standards.