Description:
Position Summary:
The Venture Program Manager supports high-potential startups in the Trailblazer Accelerator Program. The role manages three accelerators: the Software Accelerator, the Digital Health Accelerator, and the Med Device + Therapeutics Accelerator. As the connective tissue across all three, this person manages programming, coordinates EIRs, SMEs and mentors, and directly supports both active cohort companies and Trailblazer alumni.
This individual also serves as the assigned Venture Analyst for a portfolio of companies drawn from all three cohorts. For those companies, they deliver strategic, research-driven insights that speed up growth and fundraising readiness. This includes market research, commercialization strategy, financial modeling, and investor readiness support, tailored to each company's sector. For healthcare companies, this means expertise in regulatory, reimbursement, clinical, and development pathways.
This role sits at the intersection of relationship management, program operations, and venture analysis. It requires strong organizational and communication skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to manage multiple client engagements and programs at the same time. The Venture Program Manager will also help improve program design, track outcomes, and strengthen the broader startup ecosystem.
Requirements:
Essential Job Functions 55% Client Journey Management & Program Delivery - Serve as the primary relationship manager and trusted advisor for startups participating in Trailblazer programs**, including active cohort companies in the Software, Digital Health, and Med Device + Therapeutics Accelerators**
- Lead onboarding and ensure clients are effectively integrated into program resources and offerings
- Coordinate and support the delivery of program elements such as weekly workshops, events, and showcases, including outreach to SMEs & speakers across all three accelerators
- Create and maintain the annual calendar of program schedules for all three accelerators, keeping it updated with changes arising due to speaker availability or conflicting events
- Shape curriculum for each accelerator, adjusting programming to its sector and stage. For the healthcare accelerators, this covers topics such as regulatory strategy, reimbursement, clinical validation, IP, and selling to health systems.
- Build and manage the mentor and SME network across all three accelerators. Match mentors to companies based on need, and recruit healthcare experts such as clinicians, health system innovation leaders, regulatory and reimbursement consultants, pharma/medtech business development leaders, and healthcare-focused investors.
- Find opportunities for shared programming and peer connections across the three cohorts
- Act as the voice of the client by identifying trends, gaps, and opportunities to improve program effectiveness
- Maintain ongoing engagement through regular check-ins, tracking client goals, milestones, and support needs
- Connect clients to internal and external resources (mentors, advisors, partners, investors, and, for healthcare clients, clinical advisors, health systems, payers, and regulatory and reimbursement experts, etc.)
- Provide ongoing support to Trailblazer alumni, including resource connections, investor introductions, and continued engagement after the program
- Identify opportunities for client growth, collaboration, and continued engagement
25% Venture Analysis & Client Advisory Support Serve as assigned Venture Analyst for a portfolio of companies across all three accelerators.
All assigned companies:
- Conduct and deliver research to support client growth, including:
- Market sizing and customer segmentation
- Competitive landscape analysis
- Go-to-market and pricing strategies
- Use case and stakeholder identification
- Identifying commercialization milestones and regulatory requirements that inform growth and acquisition strategies
- Assist in development of financial models and projections**, including unit economics and capital requirements**
- Help create or refine investor-facing materials such as pitch decks
- Support fundraising strategy, including investor targeting, round sizing, valuation, cap table basics, term sheet review, and due diligence preparation
- Advise on non-dilutive funding strategies, such as SBIR/STTR and federal, state, and foundation grants
- Generate lead lists of potential customers, investors, and strategic partners
Software Accelerator companies:
- Advise on SaaS business models, pricing, and key metrics such as ARR/MRR, CAC, LTV, churn, and burn multiple
- Support go-to-market strategy, including sales-led and product-led growth motions and early customer acquisition
Digital Health and Med Device + Therapeutics Accelerator companies:
- Guide startups on regulatory strategy, working with regulatory SMEs as needed. For devices and digital health, this includes FDA pathways (510(k), De Novo, PMA), Software as a Medical Device (SaMD), and CLIA/LDT considerations. For therapeutics, it includes the drug and biologic development pathway (preclinical, IND, Phase I-III, NDA/BLA) and expedited or special designations (e.g., Orphan, Breakthrough, Fast Track).
- Support reimbursement and market access planning, including CPT/HCPCS coding, coverage and payment pathways (CMS and commercial payers), and value-based care models
- Help clients map healthcare buyer dynamics across health systems, providers, payers, patients, and pharma/medtech partners, and work through procurement processes such as value analysis committees and IT/security reviews
- Advise on clinical validation and evidence generation strategies (pilots, real-world evidence, clinical studies) that support adoption and fundraising
- Support therapeutics and device startups on IP strategy, academic tech transfer and licensing, and partnering or exit pathways with pharma and medtech companies
- Help clients identify and evaluate development partners such as CROs, CDMOs, and contract manufacturers
- Help clients understand data privacy, security, and interoperability requirements (e.g., HIPAA, HL7/FHIR, SOC 2)
- Advise on healthcare-specific non-dilutive funding, such as NIH SBIR/STTR, ARPA-H, BARDA, and disease foundation grants
All sectors:
- Maintain awareness of industry trends (e.g., Healthcare, SaaS, and emerging tech sectors), with depth in digital health, medtech, therapeutics, AI in healthcare, healthcare venture investment, and changes in healthcare policy and reimbursement
15% Data Management, Reporting & Insights - Track program metrics, client progress, and outcomes for internal and external reporting across all three accelerators and alumni
5% Ecosystem Engagement & Special Projects - Support sourcing and evaluation of new startup opportunities and program applicants for all three accelerators
- Assist with pitch competitions, due diligence, and deal flow activities**, including market, clinical, and regulatory diligence on healthcare ventures**
- Build and maintain relationships with software and healthcare ecosystem partners, such as health systems, academic medical centers, tech transfer offices, sector-focused VCs and angels, and corporate strategic investors
- Represent the organization at events and within the startup ecosystem
- Participate in strategic initiatives and cross-functional projects
Physical Demands/Working Conditions - Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Frequent use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and printers
- Ability to lift up to 15 pounds at times (e.g., files, office supplies)
- Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching
- Work is typically performed in a professional office environment
- May require occasional travel or attendance at offsite meetings or events
- Normal visual acuity for reading and computer work
- Ability to communicate effectively in person and via electronic means
- Must reside in Cleveland Ohio
Required Qualifications Education, Training and/or Experience Education & Experience - Bachelor's degree in business, STEM, life sciences, biomedical engineering, public health, or related field
- 3+ years of experience in healthtech commercialization, startups, venture, consulting, research, or accelerator/incubator environments
- Experience supporting both software/tech startups and healthcare companies, with hands-on healthcare commercialization experience (e.g., regulatory strategy, reimbursement, clinical adoption, health system sales, or drug/device development)
- Experience working with or within venture capital, angel networks, or corporate venture, including familiarity with fundraising stages, deal terms, and investor diligence
- Experience managing programs, cohorts, or mentor/advisor networks
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities - Working knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system, including providers, payers, health systems, value-based care, and reimbursement
- Familiarity with FDA regulatory pathways for medical devices, digital health, and therapeutics, and with healthcare compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA)
- Understanding of SaaS business models and metrics
- Understanding of venture financing from pre-seed through Series A, including SAFEs and convertible notes, priced rounds, cap tables, and valuation
- Ability to evaluate scientific and clinical evidence and translate technical concepts for business and investor audiences
- Ability to manage three programs at once while giving hands-on analytical support to an assigned company portfolio
Preferred Qualifications - Advanced degree (MBA, MPH, MS, PhD, MD, PharmD, or similar)
- Experience founding, operating, or working at an early-stage startup, especially in healthcare, life sciences, or software
- An established network in the healthcare, technology, and venture ecosystem
Compensation details: 75000-80000 Yearly Salary
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