Advisor, AI/ML/Software Capital

About MaRS

MaRS Discovery District (@MaRSDD) in Toronto is one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs.

MaRS supports promising high-growth companies to scale their businesses globally, while tackling key societal challenges in areas such as Health, Cleantech, Finance, Transportation, AI, and others. In addition to helping start-ups launch, grow and scale, the MaRS community is dedicated to cross-disciplinary collaboration, commercialization of discoveries, and driving ideas to impact.

MaRS is the place where you can play a meaningful role in our innovation economy.

We understand qualifications on a posting can be daunting. If you're passionate about the opportunity and believe you can make a meaningful impact, we want to hear from you, even if you don't meet every listed qualification. We’re always looking for great talent to join our team on planet MaRS.

We actively encourage all applicants, including equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as BIPOC, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.

We want you to be comfortable being your most authentic self throughout our search process. Please reach out to [email protected] if there’s anything we can do to make your experience more accessible and inclusive, including accommodations. Include 'Accessibility Request' in your subject line.

About the opportunity

MaRS is seeking a part-time Advisor, AI/ML/ Software Capital (Independent Contractor) with first-hand experience building and financing artificial intelligence and software companies. The ideal candidate is someone who has helped bring complex technologies to market and understands the capital pathways required to scale them.

The Advisor will support MaRS portfolio companies across sectors such as fintech,  cybersecurity, AI/ ML solutions and enterprise solutions by providing strategic capital guidance, facilitating investor and capital partner introductions, and supporting the sourcing, structuring, and closing of financing transactions.

Advisors do not operate as employees of MaRS.

Scope of Work

You will work with the MaRS team to support the Advisory efforts to founders and management teams on:

Capital Optimization - design blended financing strategies for the success of AI/software companies; integrate grants and project finance with VC equity to minimize dilution for founders (pre-seed to Series A, bankability including equity, non-dilutive, project finance, private equity, and alternative sources of capital tailored to the AI/software sector)

Transaction readiness with founders: conduct mock due-diligence with founders so they can lead with confidence during investor scrutiny. Structuring and negotiating term sheets for early-stage financings; Pitch preparation, financial model development, optimizing capitalization tables, setting up data rooms, investor updates, milestone planning, and early board management

building and leading an executive team

product development and commercialization roadmap 

negotiating strategic partnerships 

preparing for entry into global markets

Work with the MaRS team to support the delivery of best in-class programs:

Assess client needs and plan service delivery in collaboration with the MaRS team to maintain a high-quality bar for venture programs

Provide input into company assessments and program strategy

Make connections to your network – to talent, customers, experts, and funding. The priority is making connections to VCs and other capital providers in your own network.

Share up-to-date intelligence on current seed and Series A financing trends, deal benchmarks, and sector-specific funding opportunities

Document your venture activities in the MaRS CRM and follow program processes to enable effective client and program management

Provide strategic and operational input on program elements to ensure the program maintains high value for ventures

Engagement Structure

You will be assigned through a ‘Monthly Work Plan’ that outlines specific deliverables to be completed that month.

Monthly deliverables will vary and are based on current needs; no minimum or guaranteed number of hours is offered. 

Advisors are engaged as independent contractors, not as employees of MaRS.

Advisors are expected to work autonomously.

Areas of Engagement 

Beyond what is outlined in the Scope of Work, Advisors may be engaged to contribute in one or more of the following ways, depending on the needs outlined in the monthly work plan:

Provide individual advisory to ventures outside the AI/software sector, as appropriate, and make connections to your network for MaRS clients

Support the creation and delivery of programming and content. This might include:

Small group advisory sessions and other 1:many experiential learning programs

Peer groups and other networking activities

Provide insights to content for MaRS platforms like the Startup Toolkit, and contributing thought leadership through articles, speaking engagements and other forums

Provide insights and knowledge to MaRS corporate projects including sessions for corporate partners, special venture cohorts, and more

Support MaRS operational excellence and administration including by:

Providing input to shape decisions on programs, venture portfolio, and strategy decisions

Logging all interactions with MaRS ventures in Salesforce (or any other mechanism directed by MaRS) and providing a detailed monthly summary of work performed.

Any additional work or activities will be mutually agreed upon in advance

What you bring

You are/were a seasoned executive or institutional investor (VCs who’ve led multiple Seed// Series A AI/software deals) who helped scale a AI/software company to commercialization. You bring deep experience in having secured or invested or at least $20M in capital ($50M+ cumulative across equity and non-dilutive) . We will give priority to executives who:

Have recent (within the past 2-5 years) experience raising or investing capital. Ideally 5+ years in active executive or investor roles.  

Deep familiarity with SAFEs, convertible notes, and complex Series A priced rounds with liquidation preference

Possess active relationships and network of early-stage investors (angels, seed/Series A funds, accelerators, family offices) active in AI/software

We are open to a variety of sub-sector specialties, as long as the core criteria on commercialisation of AI/software companies are met:

We prefer candidates who have experience as a mentor, coach or consultant. Relevant experience as an advisor, mentor, or coach for science or engineering based companies at Seed to Series A stages is ideal. 

Highly developed analytical and interpretive skills, conceptual thinker, able to solve complex problems

Demonstrated passion for building businesses

Personal accountability and commitment to achieving and exceeding goals and objectives

Detailed knowledge of commercial practices for high growth businesses.

Familiar with the “language” and terminology of industry, finance, government, and the academic community.

Advisors are not considered employees of MaRS, and no employee benefits, vacation, or statutory entitlements apply.

Advisors are responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and business expenses.

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