ventureLAB INNOVATION CENTRE
o/a ventureLAB

Portfolio Coordinator / Associate, Hardtech

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Position Profile

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About ventureLAB

ventureLAB is a not-for-profit leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Our organization is led by seasoned entrepreneurs and business leaders with decades of industry experience in building IP-rich start-ups, scale-ups, and global multinationals to help businesses scale. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada.

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Since 2011, ventureLAB has enabled over 4,000 tech ventures to create over 6,800 jobs and raise more than $420 million in investment capital through our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, technology and IP commercialization, and customer acquisition. Together with our community of entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, and partners, we enable technology startups to accelerate the commercialization of transformational products on a global scale. ventureLAB is home to the Hardware Catalyst Initiative — Canada’s only lab and incubator for hardware and semiconductor-focused companies.

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Our Mission

Powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada's knowledge-based economy.

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Our Vision

Born Global. Built to Scale. Inclusive by Design. Inspire a new generation of global founders who choose Canada to scale IP-rich tech titans creating innovative hardware and scale-ready enterprise software solutions that transform communities and establish a blueprint for a more sustainable, inclusive tech ecosystem.

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Our Values — Team RIVIR

• Relentless: We are tenacious and resilient. We follow through and remove roadblocks so together we succeed and go further.
• Inclusive: We are empathetic, open-minded and collaborate respectfully so that we build trust with each other and value diverse opinions, ideas and perspectives to learn and make better decisions.
• Visionary: We inspire bold futures with our founders, team, partners and community by challenging each other respectfully and thinking differently.
• Innovative: We celebrate ingenuity and empower the team to create new ideas, processes and strategies. We are curious and resourceful by asking questions for clarity.
• Results: We are proactive and plan. We are accountable and focused. We are direct and transparent through fact-based discussions.

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ventureLAB is made up of passionate, driven individuals, and is growing quickly. It is a fast-paced, flexible environment where individual contributors make a big difference and work collaboratively to achieve shared goals. We are proud to be one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures and a Great Place to Work®.

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Position Profile: Portfolio Coordinator/Associate, Hardtech

As a key part of ventureLab’s Founder Success team, the Portfolio Coordinator / Associate will report to the Director Portfolio Management. The incumbent will support in driving the success of Hardtech portfolio ventures, owning the coordination of company onboarding into the portfolio, as well as the execution of programming- organizing relevant seminars and events. The incumbent will manage input of portfolio related data as well as contribute data and narrative to funder or partner reports.

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Key Responsibilities:

• Supports company onboarding
• Coordinates program delivery (ie organizing seminars and workshops with guidance from Portfolio Manager)
• Ensures data is accurately uploaded to Salesforce for company engagement with ventureLAB programs and services
• Collects data and drafts narrative reporting for funder reports.
• Matches portfolio companies with additional relevant internal services (ie Advisors, Investor Readiness, IP etc)
• Building relationships with founders, while understanding their target milestones to be able share relevant opportunities
• Begin to develop sector knowledge, work with PM to develop startup milestones and work to collect relevant inputs for startup milestones
• Overseeing the delivery of specified programs as needed (such as EIF).

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What does Success look like?

• Founder-facing sessions and events are organized, invitations and registrations are managed in timely and transparent way
• Clean and current data in Salesforce for the company portfolio- creating reports that show portfolio progress to be shared internally.
• Inputs for internal and external reporting are clear, concise, timely and accurate

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Role Requirements:

• 1-3 years of progressive experience in one or more of the following:
• Startup programs, accelerators, or innovation hubs
• Management consulting, strategy, or commercialization advisory
• Demonstrated experience working directly with startups or scaleups, either as:
• A founder or early employee
• A service provider delivering commercialization, growth, or market-entry support
• Strong customer service orientation
• Strong attention to detail
• Competence with data collection and reporting
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline (business, engineering, economics, international ● relations, or related field)

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Preferred / Asset Qualifications

• Direct exposure to:
  
  • Experience in Hardtech, medtech, semiconductors, or advanced manufacturing and AI
  • Familiarity with Canadian innovation programs (e.g., IRAP, OVIN, OCI, FedDev, Trade Commissioner Service)
  • Experience working within or alongside publicly funded organizations with reporting and accountability requirements

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Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary Range: $40,000 – $43,000 per annum (commensurate with experience).
• Benefits: Comprehensive health, dental, and insurance benefits package included.

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Why join ventureLAB?

• Opportunity to be part of a dynamic innovation ecosystem.
• Collaborative and inclusive work culture.
• Impactful role in supporting startups and technology leaders.

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Vacancy Status: This is a posting for an existing vacancy. On-site 2 days a week.

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How to Apply

Send your resume to hr@venturelab.ca quoting “Portfolio Coordinator / Associate, Hardtech ” in the subject line. Include your resume and a brief note telling us why you’d be a great addition to the ventureLAB team. Early submissions are encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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AI Disclosure Statement

In compliance with the Ontario ESA, please be advised that we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to screen, assess, or select applicants for this position. All applications are reviewed by our recruitment team.

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At ventureLAB, we value diversity, inclusion, and respect. Diverse experience, perspectives, and backgrounds bring great ideas and create stronger teams. We embrace it, because we know that by including everyone, we all thrive. Accommodations are available on request for candidates with disabilities taking part in the recruitment process.

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We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only qualified candidates will be contacted. Note: All applicants who are interviewed will be notified of the hiring decision within 45 days of their final interview.

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