Program Director, Nature Tech

Who we are:

Founders Factory builds and funds startups together with exceptional entrepreneurs and the world's leading companies. Headquartered in London, Founders Factory backs visionary founders with capital, dedicated support from a team of 60+ operators, and unrivalled access to a coalition of industry leading corporate partners. Since 2015, our 300 portfolio companies have raised $950mm follow-on funding from leading investors in four continents.

We believe climate change is one of the major challenges of our time, and that technology and entrepreneurship have a critical role to play in the development of solutions that will drive our transition to a net zero future. In mobilisation towards this objective, Founders Factory has built a global Climate Tech platform to invest in transformational technologies across key industries and international hubs. 

Located in Perth, Western Australia and investing globally, we're launching two new Accelerator

programs in partnership with the Western Australian Government and global mining company, Rio Tinto. Through these programs we will fund over 72 startups over the next 3 years in areas including decarbonisation, mining tech, and nature-based solutions.

What you’ll do: 

You will be responsible for our Nature Tech program, supporting 12 pre-seed startups a year and leading a team of operators to help companies develop their technology, chart a path to find product-market fit and raise a Seed round. Startups we invest in will include themes within nature, biodiversity, agriculture, food, forestry, water, built environment and the circular economy. 

As Program Director, you will ensure the exceptional delivery of our accelerator program in partnership with Western Australia, bringing in experts from Founders Factory and beyond to deliver the program. 

Our goal is for Founders Factory to be the best platform for founders to start and grow their startups, and to be a catalyst for innovation in nature and biodiversity across the region and beyond. We are looking for someone who shares that ambition, and has the passion and expertise to achieve it.

Investing in pre-seed/Seed startups:

Own the process for finding, investing in and accelerating 12 nature tech companies every year, with a focus on nature, biodiversity, food, forestry agriculture, water, built environment and the circular economy Assess and qualify early-stage ventures, technology, science and founding teams, conducting diligence and negotiating investment termsIdentifying key sources for startup founders and finding scalable ways to support them  Activating and growing our local network in Perth and other key climate startup ecosystems

Startup support

You will lead and deploy a cross-functional team of Founders Factory operational experts to help companies develop their solutions and technologies, optimise business models, logistics and supply chains, find paths to test,  raise capital, and commercialise their ventures You will build relationships in the local WA community with founders, angels, VCs, universities. Good candidates should have outstanding people skills, hustle, resilience, deep empathy with founders and a high curiosity for technology and startups.  Candidates should also have extensive knowledge about how to build and grow a climate startup, alongside an understanding of science and business models related to nature and biodiversity. You will also work with founders through the accelerator programme and beyond to help with defining their product vision, go-to-market and fundraising strategy

Previous experience:

Previous experience working as an operator in Deep tech, climate or nature tech Previous experience having scaled a nature or climate company who knows how to work with government and sell to corporates Demonstrate relentless energy and passion for finding opportunities, building relationships and execution. Personal networks that embrace the startup, VC and talent communities in Perth & Australia  Ability to communicate authoritatively and passionately and share details of the Founders Factory vision, differentiation and operations Warm relationships with high-quality investors and startup founders are a must Passion for decarbonising heavy industry and accelerating the transition toward net zero Ability to connect, emphasise and collaborate with top tier founder talent Relentless energy and passion for finding opportunities, building relationships and execution Personal networks across the mining sector and/or startup, VC and talent communities in Perth & Australia  Ability to operate effectively, and to be calm and productive in the face of adversity and uncertainty Ability to work across geographies, time zones and multi-functional teams Based in Perth, Western Australia

Benefits

- Competitive salary and management company equity

- Pension & Private Healthcare

- 25 holidays (plus any statutory holidays) 

- Hybrid environment: flexible working in a fast paced environment

- Gender neutral family leave policy

- Quarterly mental health days 

- Travel to London HQ for bi annual company wide away dayss 

Founders Factory is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where people can authentically be themselves and are free to challenge, take risks and think creatively. We recruit, develop, compensate and promote our team members based on merit. We know how important it is not only to include, but to actively seek out diversity of thought and experiences.