CITBIF – Chennai Institute of Technology Business Incubator Foundation

Location:
Chennai

Experience:
Minimum 6+ years About CITBIF CITBIF, the Chennai Institute of Technology Business Incubator Foundation, is focused on nurturing technology-driven startups, promoting entrepreneurship and translating research and innovation into commercially viable solutions. Through structured incubation, acceleration, industry partnerships and investor engagement, CITBIF aims to build a strong deep-tech startup ecosystem. Role Overview CITBIF is looking for an experienced and entrepreneurial leader to head its Startup Acceleration Programmes. The candidate will be responsible for conceptualising, developing and executing structured acceleration programmes that help startups validate technologies, develop products, achieve market traction, attract investments and scale their businesses. The role involves working closely with founders, mentors, investors, corporates, government agencies and research institutions to create a high-impact acceleration ecosystem, with a particular focus on deep-tech and technology-led ventures.

Key Responsibilities
1. Design & Execution of Acceleration Programmes
• Conceptualise and lead structured startup acceleration programmes, sector-specific accelerators and intensive founder development initiatives.
• Develop programme frameworks, selection criteria, milestones, timelines and measurable outcomes.
• Identify and onboard promising startups from across India, including university-led, research-led and independent ventures.
• Design focused programmes covering technology validation, product development, business modelling, customer discovery, market access and scale-up.
• Organise bootcamps, workshops, masterclasses, founder sessions, pitch events and demo days.
• Monitor startup progress and ensure measurable outcomes from every acceleration cohort. 2. Deep-Tech Startup Acceleration Develop specialised acceleration programmes in the following sectors:
• Electronics and Embedded Systems
• Robotics and Industrial Automation
• Semiconductors and VLSI
• Healthcare, MedTech and Biomedical Technologies
• Advanced Manufacturing and Industry 4.0
• Autonomous Systems and Intelligent Mobility
• Drones, UAVs and Aerospace Technologies
• Work with technical experts, research scientists, faculty and industry professionals to support technology development and validation.
• Facilitate access to laboratories, Centres of Excellence, prototyping facilities, testing infrastructure and technical mentors.
• Support startups in moving from proof of concept to minimum viable product, technology validation and commercial deployment. 3. Startup Mentoring & Business Development
• Build a robust network of experienced founders, entrepreneurs, industry leaders,



technical experts and business mentors.
• Guide startups on business models, pricing, go-to-market strategies, customer acquisition and revenue generation.
• Facilitate access to early customers, corporate partnerships, pilot projects and procurement opportunities.
• Support startups in developing business plans, financial models, investor presentations and growth strategies.
• Track startup performance and provide structured mentoring based on individual business needs. 4. Investor Connect & Fundraising
• Build relationships with venture capital firms, angel investors, family offices, corporate investors and investment networks.
• Develop investor engagement programmes and facilitate meaningful interactions between startups and potential investors.
• Organise investor pitch sessions, demo days, investment showcases and founder-investor meetings.
• Prepare startups for fundraising through investment-readiness programmes, pitch development and due diligence preparation.
• Facilitate seed funding, angel investments, venture capital and other funding opportunities.
• Track investment outcomes and fundraising progress of accelerated startups. 5. Corporate & Industry Partnerships
• Establish partnerships with leading companies, technology organisations, R&D; centres and industry associations.
• Develop corporate-backed acceleration programmes and challenge-based innovation initiatives.
• Facilitate industry problem statements, proof-of-concept projects, technology pilots and commercial partnerships.
• Create opportunities for startups to access industry infrastructure, expertise, customers and markets.
• Build collaborations with national and international accelerators and innovation ecosystems. 6. Government Programmes & Funding Opportunities
• Identify and pursue government-supported acceleration programmes and funding opportunities.
• Develop proposals for programmes supported by DST, BIRAC, MeitY, MSME, ANRF, Startup India, TANSIM/StartupTN and other relevant agencies.
• Coordinate grant-supported startup acceleration initiatives and ensure effective programme implementation.
• Build partnerships with government agencies, innovation missions and institutional funding organisations.
• Support startups in accessing relevant grants, seed funds and government schemes. 7. Programme Operations & Ecosystem Development
• Develop annual acceleration calendars,



programme budgets, operating plans and performance dashboards.
• Manage programme teams, mentors, domain experts, partners and external stakeholders.
• Establish clear KPIs for every acceleration cohort and track programme performance.
• Organise startup showcases, national-level challenges, founder forums and innovation events.
• Build a strong founder community and position CITBIF as a leading destination for deep-tech startup acceleration. Desired Candidate Profile
• Minimum 6+ years of relevant experience in startup acceleration, incubation, venture building, entrepreneurship development or startup programme management.
• Proven experience in designing and executing structured startup acceleration programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in mentoring startups and supporting them through product development, market validation, fundraising and business growth.
• Strong understanding of deep-tech startups and technology commercialisation.
• Established relationships with investors, venture capital firms, angel networks, corporates and industry leaders.
• Experience in building corporate partnerships, government-supported programmes and startup ecosystem collaborations.
• Strong programme management, stakeholder engagement, communication, negotiation and leadership capabilities.
• Experience in working with technology incubators, accelerators, venture studios, startup missions or university innovation ecosystems will be an advantage. Educational Qualifications
• Postgraduate degree in Engineering, Technology, Management, Entrepreneurship or a related discipline.
• PhD is desirable, particularly in electronics, robotics, semiconductors, healthcare technologies, advanced manufacturing or related disciplines.
• Relevant startup ecosystem and industry experience will be given significant weightage. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Number of acceleration programmes designed and successfully executed.
• Number and quality of startups accelerated.
• Technology validation, prototype development and product launches achieved.
• Customer acquisition, industry pilots and commercial partnerships facilitated.
• Investment readiness and funding raised by accelerated startups.
• Corporate, investor and institutional partnerships established.
• Government-supported programmes and acceleration grants secured.
• Startup revenue growth, market traction and scale-up outcomes.
• Overall impact and national visibility of CITBIF's acceleration ecosystem. Ideal Candidate A dynamic startup ecosystem professional with strong programme execution capabilities, deep-tech awareness, investor connections and the ability to transform early-stage startups into investment-ready and market-ready businesses.

📌 Head – Startup Acceleration Programmes (Chennai)
🏢 Chennai Institute of Technology
📍 Chennai