Head of AI Venture Studio

Department: Studio

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: New York City

Description

About C10 Labs

C10 Labs is a venture studio and fund focused on building and backing AI-driven startups tackling critical challenges in healthcare, energy, industrial systems, and scientific discovery. Our team runs cohorts and co-creates companies at the earliest stages by embedding deep technical expertise with hands-on operational support.

Headquartered in Kendall Square, Cambridge (MIT), C10 Labs is expanding its presence to New York City—one of the most vibrant ecosystems for Applied AI. As we grow, we are seeking bold, entrepreneurial leaders to help shape the future of AI innovation.

Position Overview
The Head of AI Venture Studio will establish and scale C10’s New York presence as a cornerstone of our national platform. This role combines strategic venture leadership, ecosystem development, and organizational scaling within the context of a highly collaborative executive team.

As part of C10’s Executive Leadership Team, this leader will have full access to C10’s shared services in finance, legal, talent, data/ML, and growth, ensuring that the NYC studio is not a stand-alone effort but a fully integrated extension of the broader C10 organization.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the next major hub for AI venture creation in New York, backed by C10’s proven playbook, capital, and national network.

Core Responsibilities

1. Studio Buildout & Scale

Lead the establishment and operational scaling of C10 Labs NYC as a fully integrated extension of the C10 platform.
Build and manage the local team structure, leveraging shared support from Partnerships, Fund Ops, and Global Studio functions.
Develop and oversee NYC-specific operating systems, governance processes, and performance metrics aligned with C10’s standards.
Manage the studio P&L, quarterly goals, and reporting cadence to the ELT and General Partners.

2. Venture Creation & Pipeline Alignment

Adapt C10’s national venture-creation framework to the NYC context, ensuring alignment with fund strategy and portfolio cadence.
Partner with the Global Studio and Fund Ops teams on sourcing and early venture build efforts.
Provide oversight and leadership across the first wave of NYC-originated venture concepts, ensuring resource efficiency and milestone progress.

3. Ecosystem & Partnership Development

Co-lead NYC partnership efforts with the Head of Partnerships, cultivating relationships with universities, research institutions, corporates, and investors.
Engage civic and economic development partners (for example, NYC EDC and state innovation programs) to shape and access public-private initiatives.
Position C10 Labs as a visible and trusted node within NYC’s applied AI and deep-tech ecosystem through convenings, panels, and collaborations.

4. Organizational Integration & Leadership

Operate as a core member of C10’s Executive Leadership Team, contributing to global strategy, portfolio review, and fund operations planning.
Ensure alignment between NYC studio goals and C10’s broader investment, operational, and partnership strategies.
Represent NYC in executive and board-level discussions, bringing insight on ecosystem trends and venture opportunities.
Foster a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and performance consistent with C10’s mission and values.

What We’re Looking For:

Proven founder, general manager, or operator with experience building or scaling a venture organization, innovation hub, or startup ecosystem.
Strategic and hands-on leader with a track record of building teams, systems, and partnerships from inception.
Deep familiarity with NYC’s AI, startup, and research landscape, including investors, corporates, and public institutions.
8+ years in venture building, innovation leadership, or high-growth tech environments.
Strong understanding of applied AI and emerging technology commercialization.
Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and executive presence.

What Success Looks Like (First 12–18 Months)

C10 Labs NYC launched with clear structure, team, and governance in place.
Seamless integration between NYC and Kendall Square operations.
Strategic partnerships established across academia, corporates, and civic agencies.
Three to five validated venture hypotheses advanced to spinouts or follow-on funding.
C10 is recognized as a key anchor in the NYC applied AI ecosystem.

Compensation

Competitive base salary ($200,000–$240,000)
Performance-based bonus
Equity participation in select spinouts and/or studio pool
Full benefits, flexible work environment.

Application Review

Calibration

Hold - Not a fit