Startup Specialist At Parallel18

Job Title: Startup Specialist

Reports to: Associate Director at Parallel18 (BioLeap)

Location / Hours: San Juan, Puerto Rico / Full-Time

Type of Contract: Fixed Term Contract (1 year contract)

Overview of the Organization

The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust ("PRSTRT" or "Trust") is a private non-profit organization created in **** to encourage and promote innovation, transfer, and commercialization of technology and creation of jobs in the technology sector. We contribute to Puerto Rico's public policy for science, technology, research, and development. The Trust's mission is to invest, facilitate and build capacity to continually advance Puerto Rico's economy and its citizens' well-being through innovation-driven enterprises, science, technology, research, and public health. Our vision is that Puerto Rico is a globally recognized innovation hub.

Parallel18, a program of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PRSTRT), is a top-level, performance-driven international startup program with a social mission: offering entrepreneurs from all over the world access to high-quality business training, funding, and networks to help them scale globally while working to position Puerto Rico as a unique hub for innovative businesses and technology.

BioLeap is a life sciences innovation incubator program launched to increase economic development through innovation and entrepreneurship in the life sciences sector key focus areas such as biotechnology, AI-driven medical technologies, genomics, and more in the Island of Puerto Rico. The program focuses on closing the gap between cutting-edge local scientific research and its commercialization thus advancing the establishment of an inclusive innovation ecosystem in the island. BioLeap will provide a single point of access to educational resources in creating a business in the life sciences, technical assistance, access to capital and basic resources including coworking space.

Purpose

As Parallel18 continues to grow its world-class innovation programs, the Startup Specialist is responsible for executing the fundamental offerings of the BioLeap program. This role is critical to the development and growth of the startups that participate in each program. The Startup Specialist works closely with founders, investors, and mentors to help companies scale, from early-stage acceleration and life sciences incubation to growth-stage expansion. A core part of the job is building and nurturing meaningful relationships within the Parallel18 community to further extend the programs' reach and impact.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Manage a portfolio of participating startups across BioLeap's Gen 1 to Gen 4, meeting with them regularly to validate progress, surface challenges, and provide consistent support throughout their journey in the program.
Execute the acceleration, incubation, and growth-stage curricula effectively, adapting delivery to the stage and needs of each cohort (early-stage acceleration, life sciences incubation, or growth-stage scaling).
Ensure the funds, grants, and resources provided by each program are used strategically and responsibly by the entrepreneurs, and support compliance and reporting requirements tied to each initiative.
Coordinate the planning and execution of events, workshops, and conferences across the programs, bringing fresh perspectives to optimize operations, processes, guidelines, and community engagement.
Support travel and logistics arrangements for local and international mentors, judges, and speakers.
Connect high-potential startups with investors, mentors, corporate partners, and universities alongside Business Development, Parallel18 Ventures, and the broader PRSTRT ecosystem.
Perform research as needed when entrepreneurial needs cannot be met within the active network and help startups resolve technical and business challenges by connecting them to the right resources.
Manage outreach to service providers and technology companies to secure pro bono or discounted perks for program participants.
Serve as a channel of communication among stakeholders to identify areas of possible collaboration across the three programs.
Represent Parallel18 and its programs in local startup events, entrepreneurial give-back engagements, and university outreach seeking opportunities to promote BioLeap through speaking engagements, business expositions, and networking events.
Help manage the community platforms and communication channels, including maintenance and weekly updates.
Develop and maintain interactive dashboards for each cohort, enabling participating companies to input program-related progress and growth data, and helping track program KPIs.
Provide support for the preparation, management, and execution of internal and external events of Parallel18 program in collaboration with the Marketing and Comm