{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"b761eef086e390c3a1538e41","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/b761eef086e390c3a1538e41","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/b761eef086e390c3a1538e41","title":"SMB Program Associate","description":"WHO WE ARE\nPlug and Play Foundation’s mission is to build the next generation of impactful entrepreneurs and innovators by expanding access to technology, career pathways, and innovation ecosystems for communities facing opportunity gaps.\nAs the nonprofit arm of Plug and Play, a global innovation platform, we leverage an extensive network of startups, corporations, investors, governments, and community partners to make innovation and economic opportunity more accessible.\nOur work is organized across three pathways:\nACCESS: Workforce development and career pathways\nELEVATE: Small & medium size business innovation and economic mobility\nIMPACT: Scalable Impact Investing & Impact Innovation support to various stakeholders\n\nABOUT ELEVATE\nELEVATE helps small and medium-sized businesses identify challenges, connect with innovative technology solutions, and adopt tools that support sustainable growth.\nThrough workshops, accelerators, technology grants, and individualized support, participating businesses gain practical exposure to technologies that can improve areas such as marketing, customer acquisition, staffing, inventory management, payments, operations, and productivity.\n\nTHE OPPORTUNITY\nThe Program Associate, SMB Innovation & Fundraising will support the planning, execution, funding, and continued growth of the ELEVATE program.\nThis role has two primary areas of responsibility:\nManaging ELEVATE’s small-business innovation programs, startup pilots, workshops, events, and participant relationships.\nIdentifying and securing grants, sponsorships, and partnerships that support the program’s growth and long-term sustainability.\nAs an entrepreneurial organization in the early stages of building the Foundation, our team members wear many hats and contribute beyond their primary areas of responsibility. We are looking for a hardworking, resourceful builder who is excited to create new programs and systems, take initiative, solve problems, and help shape how ELEVATE grows.\nThis individual will conduct ongoing prospect research, maintain the program’s funding pipeline, draft and submit grant applications and sponsorship proposals, manage deadlines, and support funder reporting. They will also work directly with small-business owners, startups, corporate partners, government agencies, chambers of commerce, and community organizations.\nThe ideal candidate is an excellent writer and researcher who is highly organized, proactive, relationship-oriented, and comfortable balancing program delivery, fundraising, and the evolving needs of a growing organization.\n\nHOW YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE\n\nAccelerator and Participant Management\nSupport the planning and execution of ELEVATE program cohorts, workshops, pilots, and events.\nRecruit, screen, and onboard small and medium-sized businesses and startups for program participation.\nConduct discovery interviews to understand each business’s needs, operational challenges, technology readiness, and goals.\nMaintain regular communication with participants and provide clear information regarding expectations, timelines, deliverables, and next steps.\nCoordinate onboarding, progress check-ins, and exit interviews.\nMaintain accurate participant records, program documentation, attendance information, and follow-up notes.\nIdentify participant challenges early and escalate risks or delays when appropriate.\n\nStartup Sourcing and Pilot Execution\nSource and evaluate startups whose solutions address the needs of participating businesses.\nConduct initial research and due diligence on startup products, business models, traction, and suitability for the program.\nSupport the matching of startup solutions with participating small businesses.\nCoordinate introductory meetings, demonstrations, pilot planning sessions, and implementation check-ins.\nDevelop clear pilot plans outlining goals, responsibilities, timelines, success measures, and expected outcomes.\nTrack pilot progress and help troubleshoot communication, adoption, or implementation challenges.\nGather feedback from participating businesses and startups throughout the pilot process.\nDocument pilot results, lessons learned, and recommendations for future program improvements.\n\nWorkshops and Technology Education\nSupport the design and facilitation of workshops that help small-business owners understand and adopt practical technology solutions.\nDevelop accessible educational materials, demonstrations, guides, and toolkits for participants with varying levels of technical experience.\nCoordinate subject-matter experts, startup representatives, mentors, and corporate partners to lead relevant sessions.\nHelp business owners understand how tools such as artificial intelligence can support marketing, customer service, productivity, operations, and business growth.\nEnsure educational content is practical, understandable, and connected to the real needs of participating businesses.\n\nDonor, Funder & Partnership Development\nResearch prospective funders / grant opportunities across foundations, corporations, and government programs.\nDraft grant applications, sponsorship decks, proposals, and partner reports.\nSupport communication and relationship management with strategic partners.\nHelp organize joint events, roundtables, and pilot programs with mission-aligned organizations.\nContribute ideas for improving and expanding ELEVATE into new regions, industries, or participant groups.\nDevelop and refine pricing models for program offerings, sponsorship tiers, and partnership structures to ensure sustainability and alignment with stakeholder needs.\nRelationship and Partnership Management\nBuild trusted relationships with participating businesses, startups, mentors, community organizations, chambers of commerce, government entities, and corporate partners.\nCoordinate one-on-one meetings among businesses, startups, mentors, and relevant ecosystem partners.\nSupport partner communication, meeting preparation, follow-up, and relationship tracking.\nHelp identify partnership opportunities that can expand participant recruitment, program resources, technology access, and regional reach.\nRepresent the Foundation professionally during meetings, events, and community engagements.\nDevelop tailored engagement plans aligning startup solutions with SMB business needs.\n\nImpact Measurement and Reporting\nTrack program activity, participant engagement, technology adoption, business outcomes, and pilot performance.\nCollect quantitative and qualitative feedback from businesses, startups, and partners.\nSupport the development and administration of surveys, interviews, and other evaluation tools.\nAnalyze results and identify trends, challenges, success stories, and opportunities for improvement.\nPrepare cohort summaries, accelerator reports, partner updates, case studies, and annual program reports.\nMaintain organized and accurate program data for leadership, funders, and other stakeholders.\nSupport storytelling efforts by documenting participant experiences and measurable outcomes.\nEvent and Operations Coordination\nSupport the planning and execution of all events related to the Elevate pathway.\nDevelop event timelines, agendas, participant communications, speaker materials, and run-of-show documents.\nCoordinate venues, speakers, technology demonstrations, catering, supplies, invitations, and day-of logistics.\nManage registrations, participant confirmations, attendance, and post-event follow-up.\nWork collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure events are organized, engaging, and aligned with program goals.\nAssist with other Foundation programs and events when additional team support is needed.\n\nWHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR\n\nRequired Experience\n1–3 years of experience in program management, business operations, partnership development, or nonprofit work.\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills.\nStrong organizational, analytical, and multitasking abilities.\nCollaborative mindset with the ability to work across various stakeholder types.\nPassion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and expanding equitable access.","company":"Plug Play Tech Center","rawCompany":"plug play tech center","city":"Sunnyvale","state":"CA","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-07T10:59:15.580Z","occupations":[{"code":"13-1082.00","title":"Project Management Specialists","slug":"project-management-specialists"},{"code":"11-9151.00","title":"Social and Community Service Managers","slug":"social-and-community-service-managers"},{"code":"13-1131.00","title":"Fundraisers","slug":"fundraisers"}],"industries":[{"code":"813410","title":"Civic and Social Organizations","slug":"civic-and-social-organizations"},{"code":"813219","title":"Other Grantmaking and Giving Services","slug":"other-grantmaking-and-giving-services"},{"code":"813211","title":"Grantmaking Foundations","slug":"grantmaking-foundations"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"SMB Program Associate","description":"WHO WE ARE\nPlug and Play Foundation’s mission is to build the next generation of impactful entrepreneurs and innovators by expanding access to technology, career pathways, and innovation ecosystems for communities facing opportunity gaps.\nAs the nonprofit arm of Plug and Play, a global innovation platform, we leverage an extensive network of startups, corporations, investors, governments, and community partners to make innovation and economic opportunity more accessible.\nOur work is organized across three pathways:\nACCESS: Workforce development and career pathways\nELEVATE: Small & medium size business innovation and economic mobility\nIMPACT: Scalable Impact Investing & Impact Innovation support to various stakeholders\n\nABOUT ELEVATE\nELEVATE helps small and medium-sized businesses identify challenges, connect with innovative technology solutions, and adopt tools that support sustainable growth.\nThrough workshops, accelerators, technology grants, and individualized support, participating businesses gain practical exposure to technologies that can improve areas such as marketing, customer acquisition, staffing, inventory management, payments, operations, and productivity.\n\nTHE OPPORTUNITY\nThe Program Associate, SMB Innovation & Fundraising will support the planning, execution, funding, and continued growth of the ELEVATE program.\nThis role has two primary areas of responsibility:\nManaging ELEVATE’s small-business innovation programs, startup pilots, workshops, events, and participant relationships.\nIdentifying and securing grants, sponsorships, and partnerships that support the program’s growth and long-term sustainability.\nAs an entrepreneurial organization in the early stages of building the Foundation, our team members wear many hats and contribute beyond their primary areas of responsibility. We are looking for a hardworking, resourceful builder who is excited to create new programs and systems, take initiative, solve problems, and help shape how ELEVATE grows.\nThis individual will conduct ongoing prospect research, maintain the program’s funding pipeline, draft and submit grant applications and sponsorship proposals, manage deadlines, and support funder reporting. They will also work directly with small-business owners, startups, corporate partners, government agencies, chambers of commerce, and community organizations.\nThe ideal candidate is an excellent writer and researcher who is highly organized, proactive, relationship-oriented, and comfortable balancing program delivery, fundraising, and the evolving needs of a growing organization.\n\nHOW YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE\n\nAccelerator and Participant Management\nSupport the planning and execution of ELEVATE program cohorts, workshops, pilots, and events.\nRecruit, screen, and onboard small and medium-sized businesses and startups for program participation.\nConduct discovery interviews to understand each business’s needs, operational challenges, technology readiness, and goals.\nMaintain regular communication with participants and provide clear information regarding expectations, timelines, deliverables, and next steps.\nCoordinate onboarding, progress check-ins, and exit interviews.\nMaintain accurate participant records, program documentation, attendance information, and follow-up notes.\nIdentify participant challenges early and escalate risks or delays when appropriate.\n\nStartup Sourcing and Pilot Execution\nSource and evaluate startups whose solutions address the needs of participating businesses.\nConduct initial research and due diligence on startup products, business models, traction, and suitability for the program.\nSupport the matching of startup solutions with participating small businesses.\nCoordinate introductory meetings, demonstrations, pilot planning sessions, and implementation check-ins.\nDevelop clear pilot plans outlining goals, responsibilities, timelines, success measures, and expected outcomes.\nTrack pilot progress and help troubleshoot communication, adoption, or implementation challenges.\nGather feedback from participating businesses and startups throughout the pilot process.\nDocument pilot results, lessons learned, and recommendations for future program improvements.\n\nWorkshops and Technology Education\nSupport the design and facilitation of workshops that help small-business owners understand and adopt practical technology solutions.\nDevelop accessible educational materials, demonstrations, guides, and toolkits for participants with varying levels of technical experience.\nCoordinate subject-matter experts, startup representatives, mentors, and corporate partners to lead relevant sessions.\nHelp business owners understand how tools such as artificial intelligence can support marketing, customer service, productivity, operations, and business growth.\nEnsure educational content is practical, understandable, and connected to the real needs of participating businesses.\n\nDonor, Funder & Partnership Development\nResearch prospective funders / grant opportunities across foundations, corporations, and government programs.\nDraft grant applications, sponsorship decks, proposals, and partner reports.\nSupport communication and relationship management with strategic partners.\nHelp organize joint events, roundtables, and pilot programs with mission-aligned organizations.\nContribute ideas for improving and expanding ELEVATE into new regions, industries, or participant groups.\nDevelop and refine pricing models for program offerings, sponsorship tiers, and partnership structures to ensure sustainability and alignment with stakeholder needs.\nRelationship and Partnership Management\nBuild trusted relationships with participating businesses, startups, mentors, community organizations, chambers of commerce, government entities, and corporate partners.\nCoordinate one-on-one meetings among businesses, startups, mentors, and relevant ecosystem partners.\nSupport partner communication, meeting preparation, follow-up, and relationship tracking.\nHelp identify partnership opportunities that can expand participant recruitment, program resources, technology access, and regional reach.\nRepresent the Foundation professionally during meetings, events, and community engagements.\nDevelop tailored engagement plans aligning startup solutions with SMB business needs.\n\nImpact Measurement and Reporting\nTrack program activity, participant engagement, technology adoption, business outcomes, and pilot performance.\nCollect quantitative and qualitative feedback from businesses, startups, and partners.\nSupport the development and administration of surveys, interviews, and other evaluation tools.\nAnalyze results and identify trends, challenges, success stories, and opportunities for improvement.\nPrepare cohort summaries, accelerator reports, partner updates, case studies, and annual program reports.\nMaintain organized and accurate program data for leadership, funders, and other stakeholders.\nSupport storytelling efforts by documenting participant experiences and measurable outcomes.\nEvent and Operations Coordination\nSupport the planning and execution of all events related to the Elevate pathway.\nDevelop event timelines, agendas, participant communications, speaker materials, and run-of-show documents.\nCoordinate venues, speakers, technology demonstrations, catering, supplies, invitations, and day-of logistics.\nManage registrations, participant confirmations, attendance, and post-event follow-up.\nWork collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to ensure events are organized, engaging, and aligned with program goals.\nAssist with other Foundation programs and events when additional team support is needed.\n\nWHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR\n\nRequired Experience\n1–3 years of experience in program management, business operations, partnership development, or nonprofit work.\nExcellent written and verbal communication skills.\nStrong organizational, analytical, and multitasking abilities.\nCollaborative mindset with the ability to work across various stakeholder types.\nPassion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and expanding equitable access.","datePosted":"2026-08-07T10:59:15.580Z","dateModified":"2026-08-07T10:59:15.580Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Plug Play Tech Center","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Sunnyvale","addressRegion":"CA","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"b761eef086e390c3a1538e41"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/b761eef086e390c3a1538e41"}}