Manager – Innovation & Startup Cell

Job DescriptionPosition: Coordinator – Incubation Location: Poddar Group of Institutions Department: Incubation/Entrepreneurship Development Cell Reporting To: Chairman Employment Type: Full-timeJob OverviewThe Coordinator – Incubation will be responsible for the effective management and operation of the incubation centre at Poddar Group of Institutions. The role focuses on nurturing entrepreneurial ventures, supporting startups, and fostering an ecosystem of innovation, entrepreneurship and business development.The incumbent will oversee the complete incubation lifecycle—from startup outreach and selection to mentoring, networking, growth support, and commercialisation. Key Responsibilities – IncubationIncubation Management & Startup DevelopmentOversee the day-to-day operations of the incubation centre.Design, implement, and manage the startup intake and selection mechanism, including application screening, evaluation, interviews, and onboarding of startups.Evaluate and select startups based on business viability, innovation, scalability, and alignment with institutional objectives.Provide strategic guidance to incubated startups on business planning, operations, marketing, finance, compliance, fundraising, and commercialisation.Monitor, evaluate, and document the progress of all incubated startups through regular reviews and milestone tracking.Startup Engagement & Performance MonitoringConduct weekly one-on-one check-in meetings with every active incubated venture to review progress, identify challenges, provide guidance, and ensure achievement of predefined milestones.Maintain detailed progress reports and performance dashboards for all incubated startups.Facilitate problem-solving by connecting startups with relevant experts, investors, mentors, or institutional resources.Incubation Programs & Event ManagementPlan, execute, and monitor an Annual, Half-Yearly, and Quarterly Calendar of Incubation Activities.Organise and coordinate entrepreneurship-focused events such as:Demo DaysStartup ShowcasesSeller–Buyer MeetsInvestor Connect ProgramsPitching SessionsBoot CampsInnovation Challenges/HackathonsEntrepreneurship Awareness ProgramsWorkshops, Seminars, and Panel DiscussionsEnsure effective planning, budgeting, execution, and post-event reporting for all incubation activities.Mentorship & Expert EngagementDevelop and manage a structured mentorship program for incubated startups.Identify, onboard, and coordinate with industry experts, entrepreneurs, investors, domain specialists, and alumni mentors.Facilitate monthly or at least bi-monthly mentor engagement sessions for all incubated startups.Track mentor interactions, feedback, and action plans for continuous startup development.Networking & PartnershipsDevelop and maintain strategic relationships with:Government departments and ministriesIndustry associationsInvestors and Angel NetworksVenture Capital FirmsAccelerators and IncubatorsUniversities and Research InstitutionsCorporate PartnersFacilitate collaborations that provide startups with market access, funding opportunities, technical support, and business partnerships.Resource ManagementCoordinate access to office infrastructure, co-working spaces, meeting rooms, laboratories, IT facilities, and institutional resources.Support startups in accessing government grants, incubation schemes, funding opportunities, and investment networks.Ensure optimal utilization of incubation facilities and resources.Marketing & OutreachPromote the Incubation Centre through institutional branding, outreach campaigns, digital platforms, and entrepreneurship events.Represent the incubation centre at conferences, startup forums, networking events, exhibitions, and institutional collaborations.Develop initiatives to attract high-potential startups, innovators, faculty entrepreneurs, and student ventures.Documentation & ReportingMaintain comprehensive records of startup applications, selection processes, mentoring sessions, progress reviews, partnerships, events, and incubation outcomes.Prepare periodic reports, impact assessments, utilization reports, and presentations for institutional leadership and funding agencies.Ensure compliance with incubation policies, institutional guidelines, and government reporting requirements. Qualifications & SkillsMaster's Degree in Management, Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Commerce, or a related discipline.Experience in startup incubation, entrepreneurship development, innovation management or institutional development.Strong understanding of startup ecosystems, incubation practices, government schemes, and funding mechanisms.Excellent communication, networking, stakeholder management, and event management skills.Strong organisational, documentation, and project coordination abilities.Ability to build partnerships with industry, academia, government agencies, and investors.Proficiency in MS Office, project management tools, and digital collaboration platforms. Key CompetenciesLeadership & CoordinationStartup MentorshipEvent & Program ManagementPartnership DevelopmentStrategic ThinkingStakeholder ManagementDocumentation & ReportingCommunication & Presentation SkillsProblem Solving & Decision Making