Ashesi University Berekuso

Ashesi's mission is to propel an African renaissance by educating ethical, entrepreneurial leaders. Located in Ghana, this private, non-profit university combines a rigorous multidisciplinary core with degree programs in Computer Science, Business Administration, Management Information Systems, and Engineering. A student-led honour code, integrated community service, diverse internships, and real-world projects prepare students to develop innovative solutions for the challenges facing their individual communities, countries, and the continent at large.



Reports to: Assistant Director, Ashesi Entrepreneurship Center



Role Summary: The Technical Lead will play a critical role in driving the success of the incubator by establishing investor pipelines, fostering strategic partnerships, ensuring ventures within the incubator are investor ready. Drive the development of a comprehensive incubator program for the fellows to meet the evolving needs of entrepreneurs, conduct periodic performance evaluations and support ventures with budget management and resource allocation.



Roles & Responsibilities:

Establish and manage investor pipelines & ensure investor-readiness of ventures:

Research and identify potential venture capital firms, angel investors, and other funding sources relevant to the incubator's ventures.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of potential investors, and their investment preferences.
Cultivate and nurture relationships with external partners, venture capitalists, and angel investors, fostering valuable networking opportunities and potential funding avenues for student startups within the incubator.
Engage in proactive outreach, attending relevant industry events and conferences to identify and connect with key stakeholders in the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Conduct thorough assessments of the ventures’ business models, financial projections, market analyses and growth strategies to evaluate their investment potential and readiness.
Work closely with entrepreneurs to address any gaps and weaknesses to enhance their investment appeal.
Support entrepreneurs to develop compelling and investor-friendly pitch decks, financial models, strategies, and other investment materials for engaging potential investors.
Organize and coordinate investor meetings, pitch events and networking opportunities to generate investment leads for ventures within the incubator.
Proactively seek out and explore strategic partnerships with investment funds, organizations, and platforms to expand funding options for incubator ventures.


Venture Evaluation and Selection:

Oversee the evaluation and selection process for admitting startups into the incubator program.
Conduct thorough due diligence on potential ventures to assess their viability, growth potential, and scalability.
Develop and implement a structured framework to assess the potential of ventures, considering factors such as market viability, innovation, scalability, and team capabilities.
Regular review of the progress and milestones of incubator startups, tracking their performance against predefined goals and objectives.


Manage Incubator Program Development:

Employ data-driven insights to design programs and initiatives that provide relevant support and resources to entrepreneurs in the incubator.
Collaborate with internal and external subject matter experts to develop and deliver high-quality content and learning experiences suited to different industries and venture stages.
Establish and manage a mentorship program to connect incubator participants with experienced entrepreneurs, industry professionals, and subject matter experts.
Provide individualized support and guidance to entrepreneurs, addressing specific challenges, and helping them navigate their entrepreneurial journey.
Foster a collaborative and supportive environment among participants, encouraging peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities.


Program Performance Evaluation and Reporting:

Design comprehensive evaluation frameworks and establish relevant metrics to assess the effectiveness and impact of the incubator program.
Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that align with the program's goals and objectives, ensuring they capture critical aspects of startup growth, innovation, and sustainability.
Design assessment tools, surveys, and data collection methods to gather relevant data and insights for program evaluation.
Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations that highlight the achievements, impact, and success stories of the incubator program.
Effectively communicate program outcomes and findings to stakeholders, including university leadership, donors, partners, and the wider entrepreneurial community.
Present data-driven insights and recommendations to support evidence-based decision-making and strategic planning for the incubator program.


Budget Management and Resource Allocation:

Implement robust financial tracking systems to monitor expenditures, ensuring adherence to budgetary constraints and compliance with financial policies and regulations.
Collaborate with finance and accounting teams to reconcile financial statements, resolve discrepancies, and provide required financial documentation.
Prepare comprehensive financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, to track the financial performance of the incubator program.
Generate budget proposals and funding requests, providing detailed justifications and cost projections to support resource allocation decisions.
Present financial reports and proposals to the Assistant Director and other stakeholders, highlighting key financial insights, risks, and opportunities.


Required Qualifications and Skills

A graduate degree (Masters or Doctorate) in Finance/Investment, Business Management (MBA), or related fields. An experienced bachelor’s degree holder may be considered for the position.
Experience in private equity, venture capital, investment banking, fundraising or related fields.
2-3 years’ experience supporting innovation projects, start-ups and/or incubators in the ecosystem.
Proven experience in financial and project management with knowledge of one or more project management tools.
People management expertise coupled with exceptional leadership, time management, facilitation, and organization skills with the ability to implement systems and follow-up processes.
Evidence of effective verbal, written for financial and valuation reports, and interpersonal communication skills.
Motivated self-starter with the ability to work collaboratively and independently with purpose and accuracy in a fast-paced environment to meet periodic deadlines.
Professional experience in using Microsoft Office Suite (including but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint), SharePoint, Google Docs.


Additional valued qualifications include:

Proven familiarity in managing start-up incubator financial portfolios from start to finish.
Familiarity with private foundation approaches, requirements, and processes.
Highly tuned detail orientation, strategic thinking, and a process and system mindset
Comfort with ambiguity and competing priorities is vital.