Head of AI Venture Studio

Overview

Head of AI Venture Studio (NYC) at C10 Labs

About C10 Labs is a venture studio and fund focused on building and backing AI-driven startups tackling critical challenges in healthcare, energy, industrial systems, and scientific discovery. Our team runs cohorts and co-creates companies at the earliest stages by embedding deep technical expertise with hands-on operational support. C10 Labs is expanding its presence to New York City—one of the most vibrant ecosystems for Applied AI. As we grow, we are seeking bold, entrepreneurial leaders to help shape the future of AI innovation.

Department : Studio

Location : New York City

Description

C10 Labs is a venture studio and fund focused on building and backing AI-driven startups tackling critical challenges in healthcare, energy, industrial systems, and scientific discovery. Our team runs cohorts and co-creates companies at the earliest stages by embedding deep technical expertise with hands-on operational support.

Position Overview

We’re hiring a founder-type operator to launch and lead C10 Labs’ NYC studio. This person will anchor our operations in New York, oversee venture builds, drive programmatic execution (including a cohort-based AI incubator), and serve as a strategic point of contact for our ecosystem partners. This is both a strategic and hands-on role for someone who thrives in early-stage environments, is fluent in AI and emerging tech trends, and knows how to operationalize complex programs while cultivating talent and partnerships.

Core Responsibilities

Studio Buildout & Launch

Lead the setup and launch of C10 Labs NYC, including physical space, initial team recruitment, and onboarding.

Stand up systems and workflows to support multiple parallel venture builds.

Coordinate with real estate partners, vendors, and civic / economic development entities.

Venture Operations & Spinout Execution

Oversee all aspects of venture creation : cap table modeling, SAFE structures, services agreements, governance.

Manage shared operational support across ventures (e.g., legal, finance, talent).

Align NYC studio activities with broader C10 fund investment cadence.

AI Incubator & Program Management

Execute a high-impact incubator program : founder sourcing, onboarding, curriculum, milestone tracking, workshops, and demo days.

Program delivery, monitor performance, capture learnings, and continuously iterate to improve the founder experience.

Manage mentor networks, partner programming, and founder resources.

Talent & Ecosystem Engagement

Build strong ties with NYC-based founders, technologists, academic researchers, and operators.

Lead startup recruitment and ideation events to source promising AI ventures.

Represent C10 Labs at conferences, university events, and community forums.

Partnerships & Strategic Outreach

Serve as liaison to NYC-based partners.

Interface with academic innovation hubs to access translational research and recruit top AI talent.

Explore public-private collaboration models to amplify C10’s studio platform.

Fund & Leadership Coordination

Report KPIs and key metrics to C10 Labs’ GPs and studio leadership.

Contribute to investment diligence and portfolio company evaluation.

Ensure alignment of NYC operations with broader fund and studio strategy.

Qualifications

Required

7+ years in fast-paced, entrepreneurial roles in Applied AI, product, VC platform ops, venture studios, or accelerators.

Deep familiarity with the NYC innovation ecosystem—startups, VCs, research universities, civic programs.

Technical foundation in AI / ML, data science, or engineering (coding not required, but understanding of technical concepts and new applications is key).

Demonstrated success launching or scaling early-stage products, programs, or ventures.

Experience supporting technical founders and building structure in ambiguous environments.

Strong operational toolkit : financial modeling, venture formation, process design, stakeholder management.

Track record of building partnerships with corporates, universities, or civic organizations.

Exceptional communication, leadership, and program management skills.

Preferred

Prior experience running or helping scale an incubator, accelerator, or venture builder.

Familiarity with the latest tools and practices for AI product iteration (e.g., LLM tooling, vector databases).

Experience engaging with academic tech transfer or translational research groups.

Existing network in the AI, VC, and startup ecosystems (especially NYC).

Experience with institutions like NYU, Columbia, MIT, Cornell Tech, or similar is valued.

What We Offer

Front-row seat to the creation of transformative AI companies at the earliest stages.

Opportunity to shape C10 Labs’ expansion in NYC from the ground up.

Access to C10’s extensive network of researchers, operators, investors, and partners.

A mission-driven team committed to accelerating science, impact, and human ingenuity.

Compensation

Competitive salary ($160K–$200K+ based on experience).

Performance-based bonus

Equity participation in select spinouts and / or studio pool

Full benefits, flexible work environment.

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