Genisys Venture Analyst

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

At the Kaplan Institute, we understand that those kinds of practical, technological breakthroughs only come from people who are not just good at technology, but good at leadership people who are looking to drive positive change, both in their communities and in the world, and see technology as the means to do so.

That is why we have created programs specifically designed to guide Illinois Tech students and lifelong learners on a direct path to becoming Chicago’s next tech leaders.

Entrepreneurial. Community-minded. Diverse.

In 2024, Kaplan Institute and the office of Technology Management and Licensing (TML) launched , a new initiative funded by the National Science Foundation’s

Accelerating Research Translation ("ART ) program, to build capacity for translational research that may address the most critical societal challenges.

We will do so by developing a diverse talent pipeline to assess and launch research technologies from the laboratory to the market.

Job Description :

The TechForward-Genisys program at Kaplan is dedicated to developing talent with expertise in assessing research ( Deep Tech ) assets.

We are seeking 15 Genisys Venture Analysts to perform due diligence on commercialization plans for faculty research projects that are candidates for TechForward funding.

The Genisys Venture Analyst will be selected from across the Illinois Tech and Chicago Innovation Ecosystem and commit to a 2-month investment cycle in the Spring quarter of 2025at approximately 10 hours per week and attend some training in Fall 2024.

This role is central to our mission, involving critical analysis of technology and commercialization strategies across many disciplines including computer science and artificial intelligence, biology, and engineering.

The role of the Genisys Venture Analyst will be to assess the technology readiness and market potential of translational research projects that are candidates for TechForward funding.

The fellows will also review the proposed milestones, team, budget and validate technology, and market and team assessments to support how we deploy our resources to advance translational research projects.

Each translational research project will be reviewed by a team of 3 analysts : 1 Technology Analyst , 1 Law Analyst, and 1 Business Analyst.

COMMUNICATIONS Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and guide the efforts of others to successful program completion.

Ability to multi-task and prioritize as appropriate. CUSTOMER SERVICE Excellent customer service skills required. Special Schedule Requirements

Key Dates and Deadlines :

• Enroll in Deep Tech Commercialization course in the fall to learn how to assess translational research projects.
• Classes will be held every Friday afternoon from August 23rd to November 22nd from 1 : 50-4 : 30 pm at Kaplan Institute
• Participate in co-curricular experiences in the fall, team building kick off, investor panel with deep tech investors, IP strategy workshop, presenting an investment memo- Nov 1st, etc.
• From Jan 6th Mar 7th :
• Attend weekly standups and office hours
• 3 consultation hours with faculty and their commercialization teams over the course of the program
• Optional- Trainings and Workshops by research commercialization council members

Qualifications Education & Experience

Graduate technical degree in engineering or computer science or a JD in patent law

preferred. Undergrad or Graduate Degree in Business or similar work experience. Knowledge & Skills

• Prior experience validating a business concept through stakeholder interviews.
• Demonstrated ability to understand complex technical projects and communicate the value to different audiences.
• Prior experience in a research lab, tech company, legal setting, startup, venture capital, or a similar environment, particularly involving assessments of intellectual property.
• Acquaintance with current technological trends, especially in computation, health tech, engineering, and a keen understanding of IP law and market analysis techniques.
• Innate curiosity and a quick grasp of new concepts.
• Detail-oriented with a meticulous approach to analysis.
• Exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
• Effective communication skills with the proficiency to articulate technical and legal complexities.

SUPERVISION & BUDGET AUTHORITY No budget or supervisory responsibility Physical Environment and Requirements Office environment Certifications and Licenses List any certifications or licenses that are either required or helpful in performing the job, designating whether required or preferred.

N / A Key Responsibilities Key Responsibility

Create Investment Summary Reports to help the Research Commercialization Council select two translational projects for funding through the TechForward initiative.

Investment reports will include the following assessments :

Market assessment : Conduct technical evaluations and market analyses and deliver comprehensive market assessment reports.

Percentage Of Time 25 Key Responsibility

• Identification of Licensing candidate(s) for technology : Engage with inventors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts to identify potential licensing opportunities for each technology.
• Patent Analysis : Perform prior art analysis and explore the patent landscape for invention disclosures.

Percentage Of Time 25 Key Responsibility

Faculty Engagement : Document faculty research agendas and identify potential projects for commercialization.

Percentage Of Time 25 Key Responsibility

• Financial Evaluation : Utilize business modeling and forecasting to evaluate the financial implications of commercializing technologies.
• Investment Report : Compile market, technology, team and business insights and present the report to the Research Commercialization Council.

Percentage Of Time 25