Job Description

Job Title: Innovation Associate

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Location: Gurgaon

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Compensation: As per Industry and depending on the experience

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Preferred candidate location : NCR

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Type of employment: Full time

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Role Overview

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The Innovation Associate will serve as a primary liaison between JKCement Startup Foundry and the global startup ecosystem. This role is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and facilitating high-impact partnerships with early-stage companies. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of startup methodology and "venture-scale" growth, acting as a strategic filter to ensure only the most viable technologies are introduced to our core business units.

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Key Responsibilities1. Strategic Sourcing

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- Conduct rigorous thematic research into emerging technologies and market trends to identify potential disruptors.
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- Build and maintain a robust pipeline of early-stage startups through active participation in the venture ecosystem, including accelerators, incubators, and VC networks.
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- Maintain a centralized Database/CRM of startup interactions, providing regular deal-flow updates to senior leadership.
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2. Technical & Commercial Evaluation

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- Perform initial assessments of startup business models, cap tables, product-market fit, and technical scalability.
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- Compare external solutions against internal R&D; capabilities to determine "Buy vs. Build vs. Partner" recommendations.
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- Present high-potential startups to internal stakeholders, justifying the strategic rationale for collaboration.
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3. Pilot Orchestration (Proof of Concept)

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- Facilitate the transition from discovery to execution by aligning startup offerings with internal Business Unit (BU) requirements.
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- Assist in defining KPIs for pilot programs and monitoring progress to ensure deliverables meet corporate standards.
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- Identify and mitigate "friction points" between startup agility and corporate governance (e.g., procurement, legal, and IT security).
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Candidate Profile

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- 2–4 years of experience within the startup ecosystem—specifically in the Corporate Innovation vertical, Venture Capital (Analyst/Associate level), Startup Operations, or a Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) arm.
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- B.Tech degree in Engineering, or a related field; or MBA
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- Proven ability to navigate the nuances of the startup world, including a working knowledge of investment stages and term sheets.
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- Exceptional ability to synthesize complex technical concepts into concise, executive-level briefings.
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Competencies & SkillsAbility to dissect a startup's value proposition and identify potential risks to the enterprise.Skilled at building rapport with founders while maintaining a skilled representation of the corporate brand.Familiarity with Lean Startup principles and Rapid Prototyping.

📌 Innovation Associate (New Delhi)
🏢 JKCement
📍 New Delhi