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Who Is Startup TNT & How Are They Changing the World?

 

1. Having fun together is the starting point for a resilient, innovation-driven economy. 

2. Great entrepreneurs exist just as frequently in small-to-mid-tier cities as in big cities.

3. Their local communities are best equipped to identify them.

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This was the guiding ethos behind Startup TNT's launch in 2019. ​​

Founded in Edmonton, Alberta, Startup TNT is a​ non-profit that relies on grassroots community engagement to unlock capital for entrepreneurs seeking seed-stage funding. Fast forward to 2023, and they are the most active pre-seed and seed stage investor in Western Canada (recognized in CVCA’s 2023 Canadian Venture Capital Market Overview).

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​Since its founding five years ago, Startup TNT has facilitated nearly $20 million of investment into over 100 startups in its communities through their flagship program, TNT Investment Summits. Summits enable founders to build relationships with investors and others in the startup community and ultimately raise capital. By working as a multidisciplinary team, investors are part of a diligence process that’s both more efficient and effective for those that are experienced, and more collaborative and inviting for those exploring angel investing for the first time.

 

Over 500 investors have made over 100 investments in companies that represent the depth and breadth of Canada’s startup community. 35% of their portfolio companies are women-led and over 20% are BIPOC-led, making Startup TNT one of the most diverse portfolios in the country. In 2024 alone, they deployed a record $4.5M in angel capital into startups. These efforts are deeply rooted in community engagement, with over 15,000 people attending Startup TNT events each year. 

 

Startup TNT has four active chapters in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia, with a vision to reach 100 cities deploying $100M per year into their own startup ecosystems. They are seeking an Executive Director to lay the foundation for a strong, sustainable operational structure to support Startup TNT’s continued growth.​​

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How Will I Make An Impact?

As Startup TNT’s first Executive Director, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s future. You’ll be a strategic leader and operational expert, supporting a decentralized network of Community Leads to improve their performance and outcomes, while building scalable and efficient systems that enable the launch of more communities across Canada and internationally. 

Reporting to the Board of Directors, you’ll focus on streamlining operations, managing resources, sharing insights and best practices with investors and between community leads, and fostering a collaborative, community-first culture. This role is all about striking the right balance: keeping their grassroots authenticity alive while setting the foundation for sustainable growth.

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How Do I Know If This Is For Me?

• You’re a strategic leader with operational chops: you’re skilled in developing and implementing scalable systems, tools, and processes to empower community leads and support their autonomy.

• You know how to balance standardization with adaptability and a collaborative mindset. You’ll establish and maintain operational standards while allowing flexibility for community-specific adaptations.

• You enjoy creating frameworks and playbooks (ie. how to establish a model that can be replicated successfully in more communities).

• You're highly organized and detail-oriented, with a talent for keeping visionary thinkers aligned, focused, and moving toward their goals.

• You’re great at ensuring successful programs, products and best practices are shared and implemented across a network.

• You self-identify as a low-ego servant leader who enjoys enabling others rather than being the face of an organization.

• You’re ambitious, accountable, and ready to hit the ground running. You’re excited to leverage your past experience in a disruptive, fast-paced organization.

• You can respect and uphold the grassroots culture of an organization while driving operational efficiency.
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Our Ideal Candidate Looks Like:

• Proven experience building or managing decentralized networks or geographically distributed teams and organizations, ideally in the startup ecosystem, economic development or not-for-profit space. 

• Strong operational expertise, including systematizing processes, creating frameworks, and implementing scalable solutions.

• You’ve been responsible for centralized functions like finance, HR, marketing and branding and business operations.

• You have experience acting as a liaison between a Board, internal teams, and external stakeholders, maintaining executive presence and professionalism.

• You excel at engaging, motivating, and retaining high-ownership stakeholders, including investors, business leaders, volunteers and founders.

• You’re based in Western Canada, ideally in Edmonton, and are committed to fostering innovation across Canada and beyond. 

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The Process:

While the process may evolve, the general steps look like:

1. Screening conversation with Carly

2. 1-2 meetings with Startup TNT’s Co-founders and Board members

3. Information session with Startup TNT’s team

4. Presentation to the Board of Directors 

5. References, offer & standard background check 

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As your Artemis Canada Recruitment Consultant, I’ll work closely with you through every step of the process.

 

We understand, accept, and value the differences between people of different backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, ages, beliefs, and abilities.  We aim to create an inclusive environment and encourage diverse individuals to apply.

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I’d love to hear from you - even if you don’t meet 100% of the requirements. Send me a note at Carly@artemiscanada.com if you or someone you know is interested!

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