Head, Scouting & Insights (Innovation & Technology)

1. Role Purpose

The Head, Scouting & Insights leads the Scouting & Insights Unit and isresponsible for generating strategic insights, identifying emergingtechnologies, and building a strong pipeline of startups and technologies relevant to public safety and homeland security innovation.

The role oversees concept development, market and technology trend analysis, proactive tech scouting, startup engagement, due diligence, and technical validation activities. It ensures that Hatch and its Mission Partners (MPs) have access to high-quality insights, validated technologies, and well-curated innovation opportunities.

2. Key Responsibilities

A. Leadership of the Scouting & Insights Unit

• Lead, manage, and develop team comprising Analysts, Technologists, and Scouting Specialists.
• Establish clear functional priorities, workflows, and standards across concept development, trend reporting, scouting, and validation.
• Oversee team performance, capability development, and delivery of high-quality outputs.

B. Concept Development & Insight Generation

• Lead the development of new public safety and homeland security innovation concepts informed by external and internal trends.
• Oversee research and synthesis of insights on emerging technologies, market developments, policy shifts, and global threats/opportunities.
• Produce strategic insight reports, thematic briefs, and opportunity assessments for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure insights are actionable and aligned with Hatch’s innovation strategy.

C. Technology & Startup Scouting

• Lead proactive global scouting efforts to identify relevant startups, technologies, and research assets.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of a curated target list of companies for engagements and program delivery.
• Build and maintain scouting networks with accelerators, VCs, research institutes, and international venture ecosystems.
• Ensure startup engagements are timely, strategic, and aligned with identified Challenge Statements and needs.

D. Technical Validation & Due Diligence

• Oversee the due diligence and technical validation of startups and technologies recommended for Mission Partners or Hatch programs.
• Ensure robust evaluation methodologies are used to assess feasibility, maturity, risks, and fit-for-purpose.
• Provide technical support to Partner Success and Programs units during startup shortlisting, advisory engagements, and program execution.
• Ensure validation outputs are clear, accurate, and actionable.

E. Database & Knowledge Management

• Maintain and evolve Hatch’s startup database, ensuring accuracy, data integrity, and strategic usefulness.
• Oversee the organization and tracking of insights, validation reports, scouting outputs, and historical engagement data.
• Ensure the database supports cross-unit workflows, reporting, and decision-making.

F. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with:

• Partner Success to validate Challenge Statements (CS), provide startup recommendations, and support MP innovation pathways.

  Programs Unit to supply vetted startups, technical insights, and innovation concepts for program design and delivery.

  Collaborations Team to support upstream partner identification and global ecosystem development initiatives.

• Ensure seamless alignment across units and timely sharing of insights and intelligence.

G. External Representation & Ecosystem Engagement

• Represent Hatch in engagements with innovation ecosystems, research communities, and industry partners.
• Build relationships with global scouting partners, innovation networks, and technology sources.
• Contribute thought leadership to strengthen Hatch’s position within local and international innovation landscapes.

H. Governance, Quality Assurance & Reporting

• Establish standards, frameworks, and SOPs for scouting, insights generation, validation, and concept development.
• Monitor unit performance, KPIs, and work outputs to ensure quality and strategic alignment.
• Provide regular reporting on trends, scouting progress, market intelligence, and startup pipeline maturity.

3. Experience

• 8-12 years of experience in technology scouting, innovation research, market intelligence, strategic foresight, or related fields.
• Must have led a team
• Must have worked in a Venture Capital
• Strong familiarity with deep tech, frontier technologies, and startup ecosystems.
• Experience managing technical or analytical teams in high-complexity environments.
• Experience working with government agencies, regulated sectors, or public safety domains is advantageous.

4. Skills & Competencies

Technical & Functional Competencies

• Technology scouting and due diligence
• Market and technology trend analysis
• Strategic foresight and opportunity assessment
• Concept development and insight generation
• Data interpretation and synthesis
• Technical evaluation methodologies
• Strong understanding of innovation ecosystems

Job location: Alice@One North