Customer Discovery Advisor (Independent Contractor)

We are seeking an experienced specialist of customer discovery, qualitative research, and early validation to join our talented team of Advisors. As a Customer Discovery Advisor, you will play a critical role in helping early-stage founders (primarily in our Startup Fundamentals training, IO Ignition and IO Flex) develop evidence-based foundations for their business by deeply understanding customer needs, validating assumptions, and avoiding the risks of building products no one wants.

Our Companies

The companies supported through our early-stage programming—ranging from our one-to-many Startup Fundamentals sessions, to the 10-week IO Ignition bootcamp, to our light-touch IO Flex community—represent a wide spectrum of founder experience and business maturity. Some arrive with nothing more than an idea, while others have early prototypes, active users, or initial revenue. As the entry point to the broader IO Venture Path, these programs help founders build the essential foundations of their business, regardless of stage. A core focus across all early-stage programming is instilling the principles of customer discovery—teaching founders how to replace assumptions with evidence, deeply understand the needs and motivations of their customers, and continuously validate their problem, market, and solution as they grow.

Our Advisors

Our Advisors are independent contractors typically with their own thriving consulting practices. They are available between 15-20 hours per month and paid the standard advisor rate of $150/hour. Please note that these hours are not guaranteed and will depend on client demand each month, which will enable you to participate in meetings with Invest Ottawa team members, and to attend key events.

Reporting to Invest Ottawa’s Director, Venture Programs as a part-time contractor, the Customer Discovery Advisor will support clients by:

Providing direct one-on-one advisory to founders of early-stage tech startups focused on structured customer discovery and early validation techniques

Guide founders in creating research objectives, problem statements, and assumptions to test

Coach founders on identifying who to interview and multiple outreach tactics

Support founders in selecting and executing appropriate primary research methods (interviews, focus groups, observation, surveys) and using secondary market research

Train founders to run objective, non-biased customer discovery interviews, without pitching, to gather facts, behaviours, and context

Help founders organize qualitative data into insights, patterns, and implications for problem/solution fit

Advise on when to iterate, pivot, or stop, based on evidence

Suggest tools and resources to clients depending on their stage and needs

We would love to hear from you if you:

Have previously been a founder or early employee of a successful tech startup and/or have previously been a founder or early employee of a failed tech startup or a startup that pivoted

Are familiar with the first steps in starting a company and validating the problem through customer discovery, lean startup and initial growth strategies

Have hands-on experience designing and conducting interviews, research studies, or market validation efforts that gather factual, behavioural insights

Have demonstrated experience as a leader, advisor and/or mentor

Ability to quickly assess companies’ challenges and provide appropriate, on the spot guidance

Strong emotional intelligence with the ability to build trusting relationships, and strong communication skills (especially as a great listener)

Are passionate about seeing founders succeed and are willing to have difficult conversations to help the founder grow

Are predominantly located in the Ottawa region and can attend in-person meetings and events at times

Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset

When applying, please highlight a list of early-stage companies you have worked with previously, formally or informally, as an advisor or consultant.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

At Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards, we know that diversity, equity, inclusion and creating an environment of belonging are critical success factors for globally competitive organizations and are required to drive sustainable wealth creation and prosperity across our region. We strive to create inclusive systems and cultures and infuse diversity into our programs, operations and governance. As an equal opportunity employer that doesn’t simply accept difference but celebrates, support and thrives because of it, we invite all qualified candidates to apply and especially encourage applications from those who identify as members of underrepresented groups. 

Invest Ottawa is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are inspired by our mission to shape Ottawa’s economic future.

Invest Ottawa and Bayview Yards are determined to provide a barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you require accommodation during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact [email protected] to request specialized accommodation. Do know, all information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.  Join us in driving Ottawa’s leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.