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Program and Corporate Lead, Aichi

500 Startups

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Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

Posted on Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Our Mission

We uplift people and economies around the world through entrepreneurship.

Who We Are

500 Global is a venture capital firm with $2.7B in assets under management that invests in founders building fast-growing technology companies. We focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth. We work closely with key stakeholders and advise governments and corporations on how best to support entrepreneurial ecosystems so startups can thrive. 500 Global has backed over 5,000 founders representing more than 2,700 companies operating in 81 countries. We have invested in 49 companies valued at over $1 billion and 150+ companies valued at over $100 million (including private, public, and exited companies). Our 180+ team members are located in 27 countries and bring experience as entrepreneurs, investors, and operators from some of the world’s leading technology companies.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Program and Corporate Lead to support our local programs in Nagoya, Aichi through program management and corporate-startup matching. Your role is key to the success of our programs and the development of the startup ecosystem in Japan.

You should share our passion for uplifting people and economies around the world through entrepreneurship. You should understand a founder’s journey, both its ups and downs, and enjoy thriving in entrepreneurial creative, fast-paced environments, which can sometimes be uncertain, challenging, and intense.

You need to be both a visionary and an operator. You are an excellent communicator and you understand how to navigate between multiple stakeholders’ needs. You are also driven, smart, scrappy, and humble. Most importantly, you are excited at the prospect of joining a company of talented passionate individuals and playing your part in executing our vision to invest in the world’s potential.

You will be responsible for continuing the success of our programs in Nagoya, Aichi. You will work closely with the Regional Director and local team to establish and grow strong relationships with great companies from day one. You will also manage strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to founders, mentors, corporations in Aichi, the Aichi Prefectural Government, and other partners, uphold the quality of 500 Global’s programs, brand, and reputation, and actively build and strengthen our foothold in Aichi, and Japan. You will also implement corporate-startup matching activities through events, 1 to 1 meetings, and in other ways, to continuously engage our founders, corporates, and the larger ecosystem. Your contribution matters as you will be doing your part to support visionary founders who want to change the world, as well as corporates who want to embark on the digital transformation journey.

The ideal candidate is passionate about founder-communities and corporate relationships, with experience in program management and coordination. You are a strong communicator, encouraging, and can take feedback well, with the ability to develop, track, and optimize campaigns in collaboration with other team members. You will initially report to the Regional Director of the Market Launch team, and work closely with the local team. Our globally distributed team from more than 27 countries have experience as entrepreneurs, investors, and operators. At 500 Global, we have a founders first mentality and are committed to founders’ success and we expect to work with someone who shares our passion and commitment.

This is a 9-month contract position with the potential to renew.

Key Responsibilities

Implement and ensure the successful delivery of the 3rd year programs
Lead the startup-corporate matching efforts by designing and implementing events, and matching activities, including but not limited to providing an analysis of the startups selected for the program, conducting interviews, potentially working with the corporates to find problem-solution fit, and create opportunities for startups and corporates to meet and engage in fruitful discussions, which can include 1:1 meetings and or at events
Conducting, whenever necessary, cold outreach to corporates and small medium businesses in the Aichi prefecture to onboard them to our corporate-startup platform
Cultivate and maintain relationships with local expert mentors, VCs, and other ecosystem partners, and also participate actively in local ecosystem activities to ensure we’re growing our brand and presence
Collaborate with the Brand and Marketing team to create a cohesive brand story and drive local awareness around 500 Global, the initiative, and our founders, including establishing strong relationships with key stakeholders
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent relevant experience
5 or more years of work experience, of which part of it should be in startups ecosystem, corporate innovation, or other relevant fields
Fluent in both English and Japanese, spoken and written
Work authorization in Japan
Based in Nagoya or willing to relocate

Preferred Qualifications

Management consulting, startup business operations, or other related experience
Experience managing complex projects that interact with multiple stakeholders
Highly focused, self-driven and organized, with great attention to detail
Experience with data analysis, management and reporting
Client relationship management experience
Familiarity with cross-cultural business
Knowledge of the startup ecosystem in Japan

500 Global does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

500 Global collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. If you are a European Job Applicant see the privacy notice for further details. If you are a California Job Applicant see the privacy notice for further details.

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