JKCement
Website:
jkcement.com
Job details:
Job Title: Innovation Associate
Location: Gurgaon
Compensation: As per Industry and depending on the experience
Preferred candidate location : NCR
Type of employment: Full time
Role Overview
The Innovation Associate will serve as a primary liaison between JKCement Startup Foundry and the global startup ecosystem. This role is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and facilitating high-impact partnerships with early-stage companies. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of startup methodology and "venture-scale" growth, acting as a strategic filter to ensure only the most viable technologies are introduced to our core business units.
Key Responsibilities1. Strategic Sourcing - Conduct rigorous thematic research into emerging technologies and market trends to identify potential disruptors.
- Build and maintain a robust pipeline of early-stage startups through active participation in the venture ecosystem, including accelerators, incubators, and VC networks.
- Maintain a centralized Database/CRM of startup interactions, providing regular deal-flow updates to senior leadership.
2. Technical & Commercial Evaluation- Perform initial assessments of startup business models, cap tables, product-market fit, and technical scalability.
- Compare external solutions against internal R&D capabilities to determine "Buy vs. Build vs. Partner" recommendations.
- Present high-potential startups to internal stakeholders, justifying the strategic rationale for collaboration.
3. Pilot Orchestration (Proof of Concept)- Facilitate the transition from discovery to execution by aligning startup offerings with internal Business Unit (BU) requirements.
- Assist in defining KPIs for pilot programs and monitoring progress to ensure deliverables meet corporate standards.
- Identify and mitigate "friction points" between startup agility and corporate governance (e.g., procurement, legal, and IT security).
Candidate Profile- 2–4 years of experience within the startup ecosystem—specifically in the Corporate Innovation vertical, Venture Capital (Analyst/Associate level), Startup Operations, or a Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) arm.
- B.Tech degree in Engineering, or a related field; or MBA
- Proven ability to navigate the nuances of the startup world, including a working knowledge of investment stages and term sheets.
- Exceptional ability to synthesize complex technical concepts into concise, executive-level briefings.
Competencies & SkillsAbility to dissect a startup’s value proposition and identify potential risks to the enterprise.Skilled at building rapport with founders while maintaining a professional representation of the corporate brand.Familiarity with Lean Startup principles and Rapid Prototyping.
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