Director of Investor Relations & Capital Ecosystem in West Virginia

LG Electronics NA Innovation Center ("LG NOVA")

LG Electronics established the North America Innovation Center ("LG NOVA") in Santa Clara, California, USA., with an ambitious vision to become the nerve center of global innovation. Aiming to create the future of LG, focusing on disruptive and exponential growth, LG NOVA works with global corporations, startups, governments, and technology stakeholders to create new businesses, establish strategic partnerships, and develop a broad ecosystem using the "outside-in" innovation process.

Position Overview:

The Director of Investor Relations and Capital Ecosystem in West Virginia will be responsible for managing and cultivating the West Virginia-focused relationships between investors, capital partners, regional startups, and LG NOVA; identifying and developing strategic investment partnerships to help scale LG's new business units in collaboration with the WV startups and investment ecosystems.

The Director will support the overall fundraising efforts of LG NOVA and the affiliated LG companies for project investments and pilots.

This person will collaborate with LG NOVA's Incubation and Ecosystem teams to help source, support and grow the local network of WV investment communities participating in LG NOVA's Grand Challenge Program and Mission for the Future Initiative.

The Director will serve as a key member of the task force supporting the partnership between LG NOVA, regional capital stakeholders and the NOVAWave Fund

This role requires a deep understanding of the investment community, business and startup landscape in West Virginia, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with universities, startups, investors and partners in the Greater Appalachian region.

What You'll Do:

WV Investor Relations:

• Maintain and enhance relationships with prospective investors, universities, and government agencies in West Virginia.
• Support the fundraising efforts of the LG new business opportunities by identifying and engaging potential Investors, including institutional investors, governments, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and strategic partners in West Virginia.
• Leverage relationships with investors to help WV challenge startups secure early-stage funding and commercial traction.
• Collaborate with the LG NOVA's senior leadership team to develop and refine the value proposition of the new business opportunities and fundraising materials, such as investor pitch decks for West Virginia.
• Explore opportunities for collaboration and co-investment with other local venture funds, accelerators, and industry stakeholders.
• Work closely with local stakeholders, investors, and LG NOVA's Incubation Team to create a pitch deck which contains product/service concepts, business models, value proposition, customer segments, and market channels specifically for West Virginia

Ecosystem Development

• Organize events such as investor demo days and networking sessions with WV potential investors to share LG NOVA's plan and activities
• Attend industry conferences, networking events, and other forums to represent LG NOVA and build relationships with potential investors and partners in WV
• Develop and deliver content, and workshops that provide value to startups in the challenge program.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Proven track record within the West Virginia startup and investment ecosystem with knowledge of key local stakeholders, successful regional innovation centers, innovation hubs, accelerators, incubators, investors, and technology commercialization programs.
  
  
• Investment and Project Management experience: Skilled in organizing, prioritizing, tracking, and managing multiple large-scale and high impact projects.
  
  
• Knowledge of state policies and procedures relevant to investors is helpful, but not required.
  
  
• Some knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations related to general governmental management and economic development.
  
  
• Skilled in fostering an innovation-driven culture, building connections and strong relationships within an emerging ecosystem.
  
  
• Ability to work under deadlines and stressful situations exhibiting a high degree of ambiguity.
  
  
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and multicultural environment and to resolve problems quickly and effectively.
  
  
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential business and client information.
  
  

Education & Experience:

• Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or related field, and ten (10) years progressively responsible experience in venture capital, economic development or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
  
• Preference given to those within the West Virginia regional entrepreneurship and/or corporate innovation ecosystem, or similar programs.