Your opportunity: Make a real difference in the blockchain industry! Build the change you want to see. We are looking for a Venture Acceleration Manager to strengthen the Cardano Foundation’s Venture Hub by connecting startups with capital and enterprise opportunities. You will play a dual role in managing the Foundation’s own accelerator and venture support initiatives, while simultaneously facilitating collaborations with external venture programs across the broader Cardano ecosystem. This is a high-impact position combining work with founders, ventures, business development, service providers, VCs, and startup mentors. This opportunity is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, understands funding dynamics, and can confidently engage with innovators, investors, and enterprise leaders. You’ll have the following responsibilities: Venture Accelerator Management <ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Oversee and scale the Cardano Foundation’s Cardano Accelerator Program, managing cohorts of startups focused on building consumer and enterprise-facing products on Cardano.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Manage program operations, including resource allocation, budgeting, quality control, cross department alignment, and process improvements to support future scale.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Provide guidance and feedback to participating startups on product-market fit, blockchain strategy, and go-to-market execution.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Curate a strong mentor and advisor network across industries and product development domains.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Drive ecosystem value creation by identifying synergies between venture initiatives and Cardano’s technological roadmap.</li></ul> Investor Relations <ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Manage relationships with active and potential funds and/or investors through regular communications, tailored updates, and curated events or side sessions.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Conduct landscape analysis and track investor interests to inform the foundation, future cohort themes, and competitive positioning.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Coordinate investor involvement in Demo Day and other showcase opportunities to increase venture visibility and deal flow.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Design and oversee structured follow-on investment pathways, aligning demo days, investor briefings, and post-program capital touchpoints with the Cardano Foundation’s funding strategy.</li></ul> Cross-Sector Innovation & Ecosystem Development <ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Coordinate closely with the ecosystem to drive venture acceleration and support ecosystem growth. </li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Champion community engagement by driving consistent communication, inclusion, and collaboration across the broader Cardano ecosystem.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;"> Work cross-departmentally to build bridges between startups and enterprise partners through matchmaking, pilot initiatives, and ecosystem showcases.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">represent the Cardano Foundation at relevant industry events, innovation forums, and investor/mentor networks.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Amplify ecosystem signals and success stories by working with Marketing and Partnerships to showcase venture progress, pilot outcomes, and real-world adoption emerging from the Accelerator.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Feed ecosystem insights back into the Venture Hub strategy, identifying gaps, emerging needs, and partnership opportunities that inform future Accelerator cohorts and enablement initiatives.</li></ul> Your story: <ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">5+ years of experience running startup accelerators, innovation hubs, or corporate innovation programs, ideally in fintech, Web3, or digital infrastructure sectors.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">2+ years of active involvement in the Cardano ecosystem.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Experience in helping startups achieve product-market fit, including technical and business advisory.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Strong grasp of blockchain technology, especially public infrastructure and decentralized systems.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Excellent network orchestration skills—you know how to engage founders, mentors, industry experts, and enterprise executives.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Results-oriented mindset.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Excellent networking and relationship-building abilities.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Highly adaptable and resilient.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Strong ethical standards and integrity.</li></ul> Your impact: <ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;"><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Accelerate the Next Generation of Startups: You will manage the Accelerator Program end to end, providing the guidance and ecosystem resources needed to turn high-potential startups into market-ready, enterprise-grade solutions.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Unlock Capital and Enterprise Pathways: You will cultivate a robust network of VCs, funds, and corporate partners to secure vital funding and launch high-visibility pilots that prove Cardano's real-world utility.</li><li style="list-style-type:disc;font-size:10pt;font-family:Chivo, sans-serif;color:#1c4587;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;">Drive Global Ecosystem Growth: You will serve as the bridge between startup innovation and Cardano’s roadmap, amplifying success stories globally.</li></ul>

Venture Acceleration Manager @ Cardano Foundation

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