CEO - Life Science Startup
Company: Workforce Genetics
Location: Richmond
Posted on: February 16, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Description Job Description Pioneer Connect (hybrid/remote)
Job Description Activation Capital launched Pioneer Connect, a
program designed to unite entrepreneurs, innovators, and a pipeline
of commercializable technologies to increase the portfolio of
durable startup life science companies in the Richmond region. This
initiative seeks to (i) accelerate startup formation and (ii)
create opportunities for startups to form in Richmond, whereas they
otherwise might not. Pioneer Connect is designed to achieve two
outcomes: · Optimize the commercialization of regional intellectual
property (IP) · Increase the portfolio of regional life science
startups to enhance the realization of key metrics, such as job
creation and capital attracted. Pioneer Connect includes a support
package for startup leaders willing to locate or start companies in
the Richmond area. This incentive is implemented as an
individual/employment contract service to Activation Capital – in
essence, we will engage life science leaders to start a company in
the region and provide deliverables and status reports as
requirements to submit invoices. This is not a grant or investment.
The contract can be terminated if the leader fails to perform. The
following represent scenarios for which we think Pioneer Connect
will be implemented: · An experienced local entrepreneur is
contemplating a startup life science company, and Pioneer Connect
provides resources that lower barriers to company formation · An
experienced remote entrepreneur is incentivized by Pioneer Connect
to start a company in Richmond · An academic researcher interested
in starting a company needs an experienced entrepreneur or
operational expert,t and Pioneer Connect facilitates this
relationship · An experienced entrepreneur wants to license
university IP, and Pioneer Connect enables this to occur in
Richmond Responsibilities The Pioneer is to serve as a key
operations lead on a new startup and/or technology. Under this
agreement, the Contractor will be responsible for the following: ·
A reasonable dedication of time and energy to understanding the key
technology and its development · A willingness to listen to and
follow guidance from Activation Capital and its associated
professionals · Providing weekly communications on progress,
including monthly reports · A commitment to pursue grants and
investment funding to sustain and advance the technology ·
Participating in Activation Capital sponsored acceleration
programming During the Pioneer Connect six-month support period,
the Pioneer will aim to attain the following milestones: ·
Negotiate a licensing agreement for technology of interest from a
federal or university lab · Register the company in Virginia, with
operations based in Richmond · Develop a commercialization plan and
go-to-market strategy · Identify non-dilutive funding opportunities
and submit at least one application · Establish connections with
potential investors to secure institutional investment for future
funding rounds Additionally, the Pioneer will assume the following
responsibilities: · Define and document milestones during the
support period · Provide monthly reports on technical and
administrative progress · Pursue grants and investment funding to
sustain and advance the technology · Provide leadership as it
pertains to the development of technology, staff, and company ·
Maintain presence in the Richmond region for the duration of the
support period · Work diligently to retain the company in the
region long term Required Qualifications · Ten years of experience
with business operations related to a scientific enterprise ·
Profit and Loss management in a corporate environment or management
consulting · Success with dilutive/non-dilutive capital attraction
· Startup or small company experience Preferred Qualifications ·
Advanced degree in science, business, or legal · Successful exit of
a startup/small business · Network of investor contacts
Keywords: Workforce Genetics, Portsmouth , CEO - Life Science Startup, IT / Software / Systems , Richmond, Virginia
