Help build what founders build here.

About Startup Ventura

Startup Ventura is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with one goal: keep Ventura County the best place in the world to live by fueling entrepreneurship. This county produced companies like The Trade Desk and Curri. Our job is to make sure the next generation of great companies starts here and stays here.

We are launching nationally ranked accelerator programming for early-stage founders, with our inaugural Spring 2027 cohort and committed funding from the City of Ventura. You would be joining at the moment it all becomes real.

About the role

We have a strong story and real traction: committed city funding, grant applications already in flight, and a program model with the outcomes funders want to see, like jobs created, startups launched, and follow-on capital raised. What we need is someone who turns that story into a steady rhythm of funded applications.

You will build our grant calendar, research and qualify opportunities, and get high-quality applications out the door every month. You will work directly with our Founder & Executive Director, who owns funder relationships and final sign-off. We use AI tools daily to speed up drafting and research, and you should be excited to as well, while owning the accuracy and quality of every submission.

What you’ll do

• Build and maintain a 12-month grant calendar spanning community foundations, corporate giving programs, civic organizations, and state and federal economic development funding
• Research and qualify new opportunities against our mission, programs, and eligibility
• Write and submit 1–2 applications per month: narratives, budgets (with our Executive Director), and attachments
• Track every submission through decision, including deadlines, reporting requirements, and outcomes
• Build a reusable library of boilerplate: mission language, program descriptions, budget templates, board bios
• Write post-award funder reports so we stay relevant and in good standing

What we’re looking for

• 2+ years of grant writing with funded applications you can point to
• Clear, persuasive narrative writing that holds up to a skim
• Comfort working with program budgets and outcome metrics
• Self-directed and deadline-proof: you run the calendar, we do not chase you

Nice to have

• Experience with economic development, entrepreneurship, or workforce funders
• Knowledge of Ventura County or California funders (community foundations, state small business programs)
• Capacity-building grant experience

Details

• Approximately 5–10 hours per week to start, flexible scheduling
• $40–$65/hour depending on experience; open to per-application pricing
• Fully remote with occasional video calls
• Reports to the Executive Director

About Startup Ventura

Startup Ventura is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with one goal: keep Ventura County the best place in the world to live by fueling entrepreneurship. This county produced companies like The Trade Desk and Curri. Our job is to make sure the next generation of great companies starts here and stays here.

We are launching nationally ranked accelerator programming for early-stage founders, with our inaugural Spring 2027 cohort and committed funding from the City of Ventura. You would be joining at the moment it all becomes real.

About the role

Our accelerator programming is free for founders. No tuition, no equity. It is funded by community partners who believe the next great companies should start here. This role owns that partner revenue.

You will build and work a pipeline of corporate sponsors across Ventura County: employers, banks and credit unions, law and accounting firms, and service providers who want to be in front of founders, investors, and civic leaders. And you will have real inventory to sell: an 8-week accelerator cohort, weekly Lunch & Learns, a culminating Pitch Day with 25+ investors, community workshops, and our Annual Benefit.

You will work directly with our Founder & Executive Director, who will open doors with anchor relationships while you run the pipeline, the meetings, and the closes.

What you’ll do

• Build and manage a corporate sponsor pipeline in our CRM, from prospect research through close and renewal
• Package sponsorship tiers with our Executive Director: event sponsorships, cohort sponsorships, and in-kind partnerships
• Run outreach and sponsor meetings, present the value, and close
• Make sure sponsors get what they paid for: recognition, event presence, and reporting
• Steward relationships year-round so sponsors renew and grow
• Support anchor-employer conversations alongside our Executive Director

What we’re looking for

• 2+ years in B2B sales, sponsorships, partnerships, or business development with deals you personally closed
• Experience closing in the $10K–$100K range
• Polished and credible in rooms with executives, elected officials, and business owners
• Disciplined pipeline habits. We run a Notion-based CRM and use AI tools daily, and you should be excited to
• Based in or near Ventura County

Nice to have

• An existing network in Ventura County’s business or civic community
• Nonprofit sponsorship, chamber of commerce, or event sales experience

About Startup Ventura

Startup Ventura is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with one goal: keep Ventura County the best place in the world to live by fueling entrepreneurship. This county produced companies like The Trade Desk and Curri. Our job is to make sure the next generation of great companies starts here and stays here.

We are launching nationally ranked accelerator programming for early-stage founders, with our inaugural Spring 2027 cohort and committed funding from the City of Ventura. You would be joining at the moment it all becomes real.

About the role

This is a flexible, learn-by-doing internship shaped around your interests and where we need help. You will work alongside a small team building a startup accelerator from the ground up, and get real exposure to nonprofit operations, live events, and Ventura County’s founder community.

What you might do

• Support event planning and day-of logistics for workshops, Lunch & Learns, and Pitch Day
• Help with founder, funder, and sponsor research
• Pitch in on marketing, social media, and content
• Keep our CRM and records organized
• Take on whatever the week needs, with real ownership

Who it’s for

Students and early-career people in or near Ventura County who want hands-on experience and a local network. Apply below and tell us what you are studying, your availability, and how you would like to help.