The Tech Launch Arizona Venture Development team facilitates the creation of new ventures founded on UArizona inventions. The Student Entrepreneurial Fellow Program allows graduate or PhD students, working on behalf of UArizona, to gain practical startup company and technology commercialization experience. This is an incredible opportunity to build a resume, gain knowledge of the entrepreneurial process, and work with a team of seasoned entrepreneurs and executives (TLA Mentors-in-Residence (MIR)) dedicated to launching successful startup companies.
As Entrepreneurial Fellows, students will assist in the assessment of early-stage technologies for commercial potential, discuss concepts that drive design thinking, apply customer discovery methods, develop business and financial models, engage in the daily operations of a startup, shadow the MIRs in mentoring activities, and serve as TLA ambassadors on campus and in the community to promote commercialization activities.
The Entrepreneurial Fellow will receive an hourly wage from Tech Launch Arizona and be considered for a $10,000 Graduate Tuition Scholarship from the UArizona Graduate College. More details are available on the Graduate College website: https://grad.arizona.edu/funding/opportunities/tech-launch-az-student-entrepreneurial-fellow.
Opportunities Available
TLA is seeking to fill four (4) Entrepreneurial Fellow positions. Students have the opportunity to focus on a portfolio of industry-specific startups, like life science, software or physical sciences, or to focus on a particular functional area like finance or marketing.
Duties & Responsibilities
Students are asked to commit 10 hours per week. Their responsibilities will include:
- Attend startup meetings and help with follow-up actions
- Conduct industry research that may span multiple projects in the portfolio
- Work with MIRs to develop startup materials; this may include developing the value proposition, financial model, business model, executive summary, pitch deck, company descriptors, or other materials as determined by the team
- Attend workshops and training sessions with startups as schedule permits
- Attend campus and community events with TLA where appropriate and as schedule permits
- Attend regular meetings with the Venture Development team to discuss ongoing projects
Requirements
- Must be a graduate student or PhD student (students in a GA or faculty ancillary position may not qualify depending on FTE commitments)
- Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Ability to commit to working 10 hours per week
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Ability and willingness to contribute ideas and thoughts to the Venture Development team
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects
- Ability to take initiative and be a self-starter
- Ability to independently manage several tasks and projects simultaneously
- Ability to execute work with thoroughness and attention to detail
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment
- Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word