Director, Accelerator Programs (Menlo Park)

The Role:

As the Accelerator Director (Full-time contractor), you will be responsible for taking over the management of all aspects of the DePIN Surf accelerator program . Responsibilities include sourcing and selecting high-potential seed-stage startups in the areas of DePIN, AI and RWA under the umbrella of Web3, providing them with the guidance and resources they need to thrive, and managing and expanding a best-in-class mentor network including founders, VCs, angels, Kols and other industry leaders. You will also serve as the primary liaison between the founders and IoTeX’s internal tooling, marketing, and event resources and will receive support from all IoTeX core team members. Overall, in this role, you will serve as a mentor, an evangelist, and a champion for these early-stage ventures, driving their success and contributing to the broader IoTeX and DePIN ecosystem.

• Lead the overall planning, execution, and evaluation of the accelerator program.
• Curate a diverse and impactful cohort of DePIN startups through recruiting and selection processes (three cohorts each year).
• Develop and implement a6week virtual curriculum that covers critical areas like fundraising, tokenomics, community growth, network and token launch and go-to-market strategies etc.
• Manage and mentor startups throughout the program, providing personalized guidance and support.
• Facilitate workshops, pitch sessions(online and IRL R3al World Demo Day), and networking events to connect startups with industry experts, investors, and potential partners.
• Track key metrics and analyze program outcomes to ensure continuous improvement.
• Ecosystem Building:
• Cultivate and expand relationships with key stakeholders in the DePIN and Web3 ecosystem, including investors, VCs, KOLs, researchers, CEXs, L1s and Infra partners, top-tier founders and mentors.
• Represent the accelerator at media interviews, industry events, conferences, and meetups.
• Build and manage a network of mentors and advisors with expertise in various domains.
• Manage social channels like Discord to foster a collaborative and supportive community among startups, mentors, and partners.
• Host Podcasts/interviews/twitterspace with accelerator founders, mentors and industry leaders to provide deep insights for IoTeX and DePIN category.
• Operational Excellence:Develop and manage program budgets and resources effectively.
• Collaborate with other functions of IoTeX (BD/Marketing/Tech/Product etc) and work closely with the program partner (Futuremoney, etc.) to ensure smooth execution.
• Implement data-driven decision-making processes to optimize program performance.
• Maintain strong relationships with investors, sponsors, and other key stakeholders.

• 5-7+ years of previous startup/tech experience, with at least 2+ years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Proven ability to plan, lead, and execute program vision, including running accelerator standups and workshops.
• Venture capital experience, with the ability to build a diverse portfolio of DePIN projects by conducting due diligence on accelerator applicants and allocating capital effectively to the most deserving candidates.
• Strong understanding of Web3 technologies, blockchain, AI, and related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in ecosystem building and maintaining relationships with industry stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to represent the accelerator and IoTeX effectively at various forums.
• Experience in curriculum development and educational program delivery, particularly in startup or tech environments.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with a focus on operational excellence and strategic thinking.
• Proven track record of driving program success through data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Passion for mentoring and supporting early-stage ventures, with a deep commitment to fostering innovation and growth within the IoTeX and DePIN ecosystem.

MachineFi Lab, IoTeX’s core developer, is a leading tech provider for Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN), a Web3 category predicted to become a multi-trillion-dollar economy powered by billions of smart devices and trillions of sensors. Its team of over 60 research scientists and engineers released W3bstream, the world's first decentralized off-chain compute framework for smart devices and real-world data. It aims to provide advanced middleware and tools for Web2 businesses connecting to Web3 token incentives with real-world activity confirmed by user-owned smart devices, unlocking new business opportunities through its Proof-of-Anything technology, which can be used with several data sets, such as in location, activity, and humanity.

MachineFi Lab’s easy-to-use tools for the creation of X-and-earn scenarios, such as play-and-earn, walk-and-earn, or sleep-and-earn—community-owned machine networks, such as smart cities, public utilities, and other physical infrastructure. Backed by nearly 20 prominent VCs, including Samsung Next, Jump Crypto, Draper Dragon, Xoogler Ventures, IOSG, Wemade, and Escape Velocity, MachineFi Lab is building advanced technology to bring the metaverse into the real world, and vice versa.