Position: 12-month contracted position as “Venture Catalyst” (VC) for Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network (RAIN): www.oregonrain.org (Note: This is a remote position requiring the Venture Catalyst to spend time in the communities mentioned below, interacting with entrepreneurs, innovators, city and community partners, other supporters and service providers.)

(Download PDF of position description)

Regional Focus: Linn and Benton Counties – with emphasis on the “8 City Collaborative” — Lebanon, Monroe, Philomath, Halsey, Sweet Home, Harrisburg, Brownsville and Adair Village

Description:

Are you an entrepreneur who enjoys starting new things, being a part of something important and making an impact in your community? Do you get excited about the idea of helping other entrepreneurs pursue their dreams? Have you ever been called a “connector” because you enjoy referring people to resources to help them advance and grow? And are you intrigued by helping to create an entrepreneurial culture in the Linn-Benton county region?

If you can answer yes to these questions RAIN wants to meet with you! RAIN (Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network) is hiring a Venture Catalyst to help catalyze entrepreneurial efforts in the Linn and Benton counties. This person will work very closely with RAIN’s Executive Director and Venture Catalysts (remote team) to continue to build upon the entrepreneurial ecosystem building in RAIN’s 4-County region (Lane, Linn, Benton & Lincoln counties).

Contractor Responsibilities:

  • Partner closely with the leadership in the eight cities who recently secured a “Rural Opportunities Initiative” grant from Business Oregon (Lebanon, Monroe, Halsey, Harrisburg, Brownsville, Sweet Home, Philomath, and Adair Village)
  • Partner closely with RAIN’s economic development partners in the Linn-Benton region; including Business Oregon, the Linn-Benton Small Business Development Center, Corvallis Benton Economic Development, the Oregon State University Advantage Accelerator, Chambers of Commerce, etc…
  • Map the entrepreneurial assets in the Linn-Benton region, determine the gaps and make recommendations for closing those gaps
  • Develop, lead and grow programs to support entrepreneurs and innovators in the Linn-Benton region
  • Identify and connect traded sector startups to needed resources: people (mentors/employees), physical assets (equipment, labs, office space), programs (accelerators/workshops) and funding (investment capital, grants, loans)
  • Travel frequently around all of Linn and Benton counties to meet with entrepreneurs and community partners
  • Work with RAIN’s Venture Catalyst Manager and RAIN entrepreneurial hubs (RAIN Eugene and the OSU Advantage Accelerator) to create, maintain and deploy a regional mentor network
  • Stay tuned to the entrepreneurial activities in RAIN’s four-county region (Lane, Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties)
  • Identify, recruit and educate regional angel investors for regional and statewide funds
  • Partner with RAIN’s marketing and public relations partners to promote entrepreneurial activities in the region
  • Work with regional partners and RAIN staff to identify, prioritize, and develop strategies around key regional entrepreneurial needs
  • Coordinate with other regional Venture Catalysts in the State to share best practices
  • Communicate with the elected officials in this region about the economic impact of RAIN’s activities in the region
  • Track and report on key metrics
  • Engage in fundraising as needed
  • Provide updates to community partners, RAIN board and other stakeholders as needed
  • Be actively involved in the Linn-Benton entrepreneurial community

Contractor Qualifications:

  • Must be willing to work remotely, remain organized, and track/report metrics for your region
  • Entrepreneurial background; could be as an investor, entrepreneur or related experience. RAIN is a start-up itself and needs people who have entrepreneurial qualities
  • A bias toward action
  • Strong entrepreneurial network in region and beyond
  • Strong communication, facilitation, organizational and interpersonal skills
  • Self-starting ability; willing to innovate and adapt
  • Strong leadership qualities
  • An understanding of business nomenclature and what it takes to start a high growth business in Oregon
  • Ability to deliver workshops on topics related to early stage entrepreneurship
  • Must know how to coach entrepreneurs on their business pitch and make introductions to potential funders
  • An excellent mentor and motivator of others
  • Must be self-motivated and able to work collaboratively with individuals from various backgrounds
  • Must be able to navigate working with economic development organizations, municipalities, chambers of commerce, community colleges, elected officials and any other organizations who serve entrepreneurs

Contractor Fee: $6250 – 7500/month (contracted position)

Start Date: Estimated: June 18, 2018

To Apply:

Please provide resume and cover letter explaining interest and fit for this position – and list 3 references. Send to: Caroline Cummings, RAIN’s Interim Executive Director | [email protected]

All responses due by May 25, 2018

About RAIN:

The Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network (RAIN) is 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is run by experienced entrepreneurs and angel investors and serves entrepreneurs in a 4-county region: Lane, Linn, Benton and Lincoln. RAIN is an Oregon consortium of government, higher education, and the business community. RAIN was founded by the State of Oregon’s Regional Solutions network and funded by the 77th Oregon State Legislative Assembly to advance the formation of high-growth innovative startup companies located in Lane, Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties.

RAIN builds entrepreneurial ecosystems in partnership with Cities, Counties, the State, Foundations and private funders. RAIN is also partnered with two accelerators (RAIN Eugene and the Oregon State University Advantage Accelerator) to create a collaborative environment to assist entrepreneurs in establishing viable companies that generate jobs, wealth and opportunities for the region. For more information about RAIN, visit www.oregonrain.org