Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners (TIAP) is a leading early-stage life sciences commercialization organization working with top universities, hospitals, and research institutions to translate breakthrough science into high-impact companies. TIAP operates at the intersection of translational science, company creation and venture capital, supporting the development of therapeutics, medical devices, and digital health solutions. Our mandate is to identify the most promising innovations and help build them into sustainable, competitive venture-backed companies.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a high-performing, analytically, entrepreneurial and commercially minded individual. The Manager, Technology & Venture Development role is ideal for someone who can critically assess early-stage technologies, identify what is required to transform an academic innovation into a viable company, and work hands-on with founders and researchers to build venture-backable businesses. As part of the role, the Manager will also serve as TIAP's primary day-to-day lead for the UTEST program, working closely with the University of Toronto team to identify, evaluate, create and advance high-potential ventures.
Key Responsibilities
In collaboration with other members of the TIAP team, the Manager, Technology & Venture Development shall lead and drive the following:
- UTEST Program Leadership & University of Toronto Partnership
Serve as TIAP's primary day-to-day lead and point of contact for UTEST, working directly with the University of Toronto UTEST team
Co-lead diligence and evaluation of UTEST investment opportunities
Work with U of T and founders to identify commercialization priorities, development milestones, financing needs and connections to relevant advisors, customers, investors and strategic partners
Work with U of T to ensure smooth delivery of UTEST programming, communications and reporting
Maintain strong visibility across the UTEST portfolio, proactively identify issues and opportunities, and ensure timely communication between TIAP and U of T
Coordinate TIAP input into UTEST venture selection, portfolio reviews, investment decisions, governance, reporting and follow-up activities
Contribute to the continued evolution of UTEST strategy, programming and venture-support activities, and represent TIAP at relevant UTEST events and meetings
- MedTech & Digital Health Investment Diligence and Opportunity Assessment
Evaluate early-stage medical device and digital health innovations for technical feasibility, clinical relevance, unmet need, differentiation and commercial potential
Assess product-development pathways, including prototype maturity, verification and validation requirements, clinical evidence needs and key value-inflection milestones
Evaluate regulatory strategy and risk, including relevant Health Canada, FDA and software-as-a-medical-device pathways, where applicable
Assess reimbursement, health-system adoption, workflow integration, procurement and market-access
Develop investment theses, commercial strategies, risk assessments and go/no-go recommendations
Build financial models and assess capital requirements, financing strategy, and return potential
Evaluate digital-health-specific considerations such as data strategy, privacy, cybersecurity, interoperability and AI/ML validation, where relevant
Translate complex technical and clinical concepts into clear commercial and investment narratives
- Venture Creation & Company Building
Take a hands-on approach to transforming promising academic innovations into investable companies
Work with founders, researchers and institutional partners to shape the end-to-end company creation strategy, including product definition, market entry, team formation, IP/licensing, and early financing
Help design appropriate founder and employee equity structures, capitalization plans, governance approaches and financing strategies for new ventures
Develop business plans, pitch decks, investor narratives and milestone-based value-creation plans
Coach founders on company-building priorities, investor readiness, operating discipline and the transition from academic project to venture-backed operating company
- Relationship Development & Ecosystem Engagement
Develop strong relationships with principal investigators, founders, clinicians and institutional commercialization teams
Build relationships with medtech and digital health investors, strategics, health-system partners, accelerators and subject-matter experts
Represent TIAP and its portfolio at industry, investor and ecosystem meetings
Educational and Technical Requirements
Post-graduate degree or equivalent technical training in biomedical engineering, engineering, life sciences, computer science, health informatics or a related field; an advanced degree is preferred
MBA or other relevant business education, training or demonstrated commercial experience is an asset
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in medtech, digital health, venture investing, technology commercialization, product development, entrepreneurship or company creation
Demonstrated experience evaluating or advancing medical-device and/or digital-health products from early development toward clinical and commercial milestones
Working knowledge of medical-device and digital-health regulatory pathways, clinical validation, reimbursement/market access and health-system adoption
Strong project-management, analytical, financial-analysis and modeling skills
Demonstrated experience advancing academic innovations toward commercialization, preferably including hands-on involvement in the formation, launch or early development of new venture
Competencies & Soft Skills
Excellent oral and written communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
Strong relationship-management skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple stakeholders
Entrepreneurial mindset with a strong bias toward action, resourcefulness, and practical problem-solving
Sound judgment and comfort making recommendations with incomplete information
Proven ability to deal with confidential material and sensitive issues with discretion
Ability to manage multiple opportunities and projects with a high degree of ownership and accountability
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team
Ability to thrive in a challenging, entrepreneurial and fluid work environment
Ability to work in a hybrid (virtual and in-person) work schedule in Toronto
Commitment to Inclusion
TIAP is committed to accessibility, diversity, and equal opportunity. Accommodations are available at all stages of the recruitment process.
Compensation
$105,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
