Job Title: Entrepreneur in Residence
Classification: Full-time / Exempt; Grant Funded, 1 year Fixed-Term Position
Reporting Structure: Reports to Director of Entrepreneurship & Commercialization
We’re a community of startups and techies
20Fathoms is a non-profit technology hub and startup incubator in Northern Michigan. Our mission is to be the region’s home for technology and entrepreneurship by cultivating a thriving and connected ecosystem for early-stage companies.
With emphasis on a team-first, energetic culture, we provide a space conducive for creativity and innovation, where high-potential entrepreneurs and innovation experts convene, learn, create, launch, and grow. 20Fathoms is here to support and accelerate the success of hard-working founders, taking their “fathom” from concept, to market, to scale and beyond. Not to be mistaken for a simple “coworking space”, we provide advanced educational programming, invaluable networking opportunities, access to startup capital, and helpful business coaches and mentors to continually boost startup companies through their next stages of growth.
Emphasis on coaching startups, facilitating workshops, and adding capacity to solo founders:
This role supports scalable startups, as part of the 20Fathoms Startup Support Services team, through individualized coaching, program facilitation, and ecosystem engagement. You will directly manage a portfolio of up to seven founders, guiding them through key phases of company development—from team formation and business model design to market entry and capital strategy. You’ll also contribute to broader ecosystem-building efforts in Traverse City and throughout Northern Michigan. The goal of the Startup Support Services Team is to provide mission-critical support for entrepreneurs throughout Northern Michigan with additional emphasis on designing and implementing a suite of concierge resources to accelerate the development and growth of scalable startups.
Top-level objectives are:
- Provide strategic guidance to entrepreneurs across all stages of startup development, including product development, customer discovery, value proposition design, market fit, go-to-market strategy, commercialization, and fundraising.
- Support founders in goal setting, accountability, problem-solving, and decision-making through regular coaching sessions.
- Lead or co-facilitate workshops, expert sessions, and other relevant founder-focused programming.
- Engage in regional ecosystem-building efforts, including collaboration with stakeholders and execution of startup programming in Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, and Leelanau counties.
Whatever it takes – Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a portfolio of up to 7 startup founders as regular coaching clients, providing accountability, troubleshooting, strategic thinking, and capacity-building support.
- Provide coaching on key startup development activities, including founding team formation and business model development.
- Guide go-to-market strategies commercialization tactics (corporate partnerships, pilot programs).
- Support capital fundraising strategy and support preparation of materials (executive summaries, pitch decks, funding proposals).
- Connect founders with relevant resources, networks, investors, and partners.
- Establish coaching agreements and ensure regular, goal-driven sessions with each founder.
- Track participant progress and program impact through milestones and outcome metrics.
- Lead or co-facilitate startup bootcamps and other educational programs for early-stage ventures in Traverse City and across Northern Michigan; occasional evenings and weekends required.
- Collaborate with the Startup Support Services Team to strengthen 20Fathoms’ concierge resources, including coaching, tracking tools, events, and ecosystem connections.
- Stay current on trends in entrepreneurship, innovation, and founder support practices.
- Advance regional tech and industry priorities such as freshwater, health, environment, outdoors, and mobility.
- Represent 20Fathoms at ecosystem events and in regional partnerships as a visible leader.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience coaching individuals in high-stress or high-stakes environments
- Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders
Required Skills & Experience
- Experience as a startup founder (regardless of outcome or measured success)
- At least 2 years of experience coaching or mentoring startup founders
- Relevant professional background that informs founder education and support
- Understanding of launch-stage and early-stage startup development
- Strong ability to quickly assess the potential of emerging technologies, products, markets, and teams
- Excellent communication skills—written, verbal, interpersonal, and analytical
- Proven discretion with confidential and proprietary information
- Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced team environment
- Highly detail-oriented with strong problem-solving and time-management skills
- Committed to supporting others’ success and practicing a service-oriented mindset
- Positive, curious, and resilient—eager to take on new challenges and keep learning
- Proficient with tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, Slack, Asana, and HubSpot
- A shared-ownership mindset: willing to “wipe the counter and pick up the trash” when needed
Working Conditions
- Predominant work location due to close partnership with leadership team will be at the 20Fathoms main office location at HQ in Traverse City – however, some flexibility for remote / hybrid work
- Evening event attendance as appropriate
- Some planned travel for meetings and/or conferences with ample notice
Application Instructions
- REQUIRED: Submit a cover letter and resume.
20Fathoms is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.