Startup Pipeline Coordinator

Job Title: Startup Pipeline Coordinator  

Organization: Shaping Our Appalachian Region

Project: Business and Innovation  

Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Eastern Kentucky 

Reports To: Director of Entrepreneurship 

Position Overview: The Startup Pipeline Coordinator is the front door and first impression for founders entering SOAR’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. This role ensures a seamless intake process, assesses startup needs, and strategically places founders in the appropriate pipeline — Start, Grow, or Scale — to receive the services they need. The coordinator will leverage both HubSpot and Salesforce CRM to track engagement, monitor founder progress, and record their journey using the Village Capital VIRAL Pathway framework.

Providing an exceptional client experience is at the core of this role. The Startup Pipeline Coordinator works closely with the Director of Entrepreneurship, Startup Services Coordinator, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and Startup Outreach Coordinators to ensure that founders are placed in the right programs and receive the appropriate support. This position also plays a key role in tracking founder progress post-exit, gathering data on long-term outcomes to inform ecosystem impact.

Additionally, the Startup Pipeline Coordinator will lead structured follow-up efforts, support data-driven decision-making, and assist in planning entrepreneurship events and programming that strengthen the startup community in Eastern Kentucky.

This position is funded through the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development's Office of KY Innovation and supported by a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission POWER initiative. The Startup Pipeline Coordinator will require travel throughout SOAR's service territory. 

• Serve as the first point of contact for new startup leads, creating a welcoming and informative onboarding experience.
• Conduct thorough intake assessments to evaluate startup needs, business stage, and potential pathways for growth.
• Place founders into the appropriate pipeline (Start, Grow, or Scale) based on assessment findings.
• Ensure a seamless handoff to the Startup Services Coordinator, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and Startup Outreach Coordinators for coaching, mentorship, and capital support.
• Maintain and optimize HubSpot and Salesforce CRM to track startup engagement, progress, and long-term outcomes.
• Use the Village Capital VIRAL Pathway to assess and document founder progress through key milestones.

• Plan and execute quarterly Entrepreneurial Support Organization (ESO) convenings, both in-person and virtual, to strengthen collaboration among regional stakeholders.
• Coordinate Steering Committee meetings with key ecosystem partners and stakeholders.
• Support the planning and execution of entrepreneurship events, workshops, and outreach campaigns that align with contractual and grant objectives.
• Actively engage with founders during events, making introductions and facilitating connections that drive business growth.

• Lead structured follow-up campaigns with startup founders to track progress, capture measurable outcomes, and ensure continued engagement.
• Use the Village Capital VIRAL Pathway to assess and document founder progress post-program.
• Develop post-program evaluation reports to measure startup success and identify areas for improvement.
• Use CRM insights to refine outreach efforts and enhance founder engagement strategies.

Expectations

• Embody SOAR’s mission and core values.
• Follow SOAR Innovation’s standardized process.
• Meet and exceed organizational OKRs.
• Possess a willingness to get into the trenches to help clients find a way, working with urgency and excitement to achieve the desired outcome(s).
• Be prompt and concise with external and internal communication.
• Be a team player.
• Be coachable and open to feedback.
• Be all-in on the future of Appalachia Kentucky.
  • Attend required team meetings.
  • Weekly team meeting.
  • Weekly 1-1 with the Director of Entrepreneurship
  • Monthly all-team meeting. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Proficiency with computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Excellent customer service skills.
• Fundamental understanding of ecosystem of resources supporting entrepreneurs and existing small businesses in Kentucky.

• 2 years of experience in startup support, business development, program coordination, or related fields.
• Strong experience with CRM systems (HubSpot & Salesforce preferred) and data tracking.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a passion for delivering a high-quality client experience.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and relationships simultaneously.
• Experience in event planning, stakeholder convenings, and program coordination.

Culture and Core Values

SOAR’s mission is simple: to return Eastern Kentucky back to economic prosperity.

Our team culture is anchored by putting the interests of Eastern Kentucky first in all that we do. We believe treating others the way we want to be treated is always within our control. Our core values include faith, selflessness, grit, integrity, and empathy. We do our best to exemplify these daily in our interactions with each other and with external partners.

Why SOAR?

The SOAR organization offers a chance to be part of a movement that’s bigger than any one of us individually. Eastern Kentucky’s won’t be solved by others. It’s going to take us coming together to find the solutions. Through communications, collaborations, and convenings, SOAR is on the front lines helping to get the right people in the right rooms to ensure the future of Eastern Kentucky burns as bright as ever.

SOAR offers a competitive salary along with the following benefits:

• 100% paid individual health insurance.
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan.
• Cell phone stipend.
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel.
• Laptop provided. 
• Annual bonus opportunity. 

Apply Now

SOAR is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.