**Generation Food Rural Partners (GFRP) Stealth NewCo CEO Job Description**
**The GFRP New Company Launch Model**
The Generation Food Rural Partners Fund (“GFRP” or the “Fund”), a part of Big
Idea Ventures, collaborates with universities across the U.S. to identify high
potential university-held Intellectual Property and launch startup companies.
Our primary focus is breakthrough technologies in agriculture, food, and
protein. GFRP is the founder of these startups, providing funding,
relationships with a network of service providers, and existing relationships
with strategic partners, to offer candidates a unique opportunity to become a
CEO and hit the ground running.
**The Company**
Stealth NewCo (the “Company”) will bring to market a set of scaffolding
technologies designed to solve structure and mouth-feel challenges faced by
the alternative protein industry. The alternative protein market faces
difficulties as producers attempt to create products that mimic animal-based
protein sources.
**The Role**
As CEO and the first employee, you will develop and bring to market a set of
novel scaffolding technologies aimed at solving the challenges faced by the
alternative protein industry, specifically around structure and mouthfeel.
This is an opportunity to build a business from the ground up around promising
technology. You will collaborate closely with the GFRP team to utilize
resources and networks of the Fund to accelerate time to market.
**What You’ll Do:**
* Develop and execute a comprehensive business strategy and vision for the company, including identifying new market opportunities and developing innovative solutions to meet the emerging needs of the alternative meat industry
* Hypothesize and continuously refine a go-to-market strategy and commercialization process (scaling from lab to commercial, including manufacturing plan) that effectively positions the company and its products in the market
* Pick and develop a talented team of employees, right-sized for the stage of the company including recruiting, retaining, and developing top talent across multiple functional areas, including product development, marketing, sales, and operations
* Show a clear path to profitability by implementing scalable and efficient financial strategies, setting and achieving key business goals and milestones, and continuously monitoring and improving performance metrics
* Form and maintain strategic partnerships with key players in the agriculture and food industries, including growers, distributors, retailers, and other stakeholders, to drive adoption of the company's technology solutions
* Build relationships with GFRP’s limited partners and corporate partners in the form of JDAs, when relevant
* Build and execute effective marketing and sales strategies to promote the company's products and services
* Drive product innovation and development by working closely with customers, partners, and other stakeholders to identify and prioritize new features and functionality, and ensuring that the company's products remain competitive and relevant in a rapidly evolving market
* Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and use data to make informed business decisions
* Build a strong company culture based on shared values and a commitment to excellence, including fostering a collaborative and inclusive working environment and promoting diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organization
* Manage the operational budget and ensure financial sustainability by monitoring and optimizing burn rate and cash flow, and implementing effective cost management strategies
* Raise capital and build strong relationships with investors and partners, and other stakeholders, including representing the company at industry events and conferences and maintaining a strong public profile
**What You’ll Need:**
* Demonstrated experience as a successful CEO, founder, and/or business leader of a technology company, preferably in the agriculture, food or related industries
* Strong track record of building and leading a high-performing team from scratch
* Demonstrated ability to build and maintain key partnerships with customers, investors, and other stakeholders
* Strong analytical skills and experience using a mix of data and insight to drive business decisions
* Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the company effectively
* A passion for the agriculture/food industry and a deep understanding of its challenges and opportunities
* Strong business acumen and financial management skills
* A platform thinker with the ability to develop and execute a comprehensive business plan from scratch
* Strong track record of tackling difficult challenges, ability to pivot and a strong work ethic and desire to build a high-growth high-impact business
* An entrepreneurial mindset and determination to scale a company from scratch
* Experience in fundraising, including a deep understanding of venture capital and angel investing
**What We Offer:**
* Salary plus equity in the company
* Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
* Retirement plan options
* A collaborative and open relationship with GFRP Fund Team and BIV resources and networks
* Active engagement in any follow-on rounds - helping to secure a lead investor and other investors
* A network of enabling functions supporting the company to run company formation, human resources and benefit administration, payroll, intellectual property counsel, and more
* Assistance with first hires
**About Big Idea Ventures:**
Big Idea Ventures is the world’s most active investor in FoodTech investing in
the best food technology and AgriTech companies globally. The company is
focused on alternative protein with its New Protein Fund and commercialization
of university intellectual property with its Generation Food Rural Partners
fund. Big Idea Ventures has an impressive lineup of strategic partners, such
as AAK, Avril, Bühler, Givaudan, Temasek Holdings, and Tyson Ventures. They
are also collaborating with several governments internationally to address
food security challenges and develop innovative food ecosystems. The firm has
offices in New York, Paris and Singapore and has invested in more than 100
companies across 25 countries. For more information, visit
bigideaventures.com.
Big Idea Ventures focuses on Biotechnology, Food and Beverages, Specialty
Foods, and Food Tech. Their company has offices in New York City and
Singapore. They have a small team that's between 1-10 employees.
You can view their website at <https://bigideaventures.com> or find them on
[Twitter](https://twitter.com/bigideaventures),
[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/bigideaventures/), and
[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bigideaventures/).
