Technology Venture Lead – India
About the Company - KeraX Venture Lab
KeraLink International (KLI) is a US-based mission-driven nonprofit accelerating medtech innovation to eliminate corneal blindness in underserved regions. Through our newly launched KeraX Venture Lab (a public benefit corporation), we discover, develop and deploy breakthrough technologies that address corneal disease and blindness. India is our first focus because it has a high proportion of corneal disease. We believe India — “the land of frugal innovation”—offers a powerful ecosystem for rapidly designing, testing, and deploying medtech solutions at scale. We are planning to extend our operations to India, housed at the Venture Center in Pune. This will place us in the heart of this ecosystem, surrounded by top national labs, innovative entrepreneurs, manufacturing hubs, and a thriving medical technology community.
Job Description
KeraX is hiring a Technology Venture Lead to join our India-based operations and be embedded within the Venture Center in Pune (https://www.venturecenter.co.in/). In this critical, on-the-ground role, you will work with our international team to drive product development and early commercialization for KeraX-backed innovations addressing corneal blindness. You will collaborate closely with KeraX’s Venture Lab team—including the Chief Technology & Investment Officer, KeraX Venture Lab Lead, Director of Product Development, and Principal Engineer—and form strategic local partnerships with vendors, clinicians, researchers, and potential investors.
This position is ideal for a self-starting, impact-driven professional with deep experience in medtech and a passion for creating affordable, high-impact medical solutions. If you thrive in startup-like, unstructured environments and want to build products that can restore sight for millions in underserved communities, we want to hear from you.
- Market Validation
- Support the US-based team in the validation of ideas it sources (e.g. India market sizing, pricing model, local manufacturing cost estimates) using, among others, the resources of the Venture Center.
- Product Development & Execution
- Lead local execution of product development activities: from prototyping and design iteration through clinical evaluation and early commercialization.
- Ensure all development milestones are met efficiently and cost-effectively, leveraging India’s strong manufacturing and innovation networks.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Interface with design, engineering, regulatory, clinical, and business teams across India and globally.
- Coordinate closely with internal stakeholders (e.g., CTIO, Director of Product Development) to align on timelines, budgets, and strategic goals.
- Local Networking & Partnerships
- Represent KeraX at clinical sites, vendor facilities, academic institutions, and ecosystem events.
- Build and nurture a network of innovators, clinicians, and investors to advance KeraX mission in India.
- Identify and manage relationships with vendors, collaborators, and manufacturing partners.
- Global Communication
- Maintain regular communication with global stakeholders; participate in meetings aligned with US/EU time zones.
- Provide structured updates, risk assessments, and milestone tracking to ensure alignment with KeraX global strategy.
- Regulatory & Clinical Coordination
- Partner with regulatory consultants and experts to ensure compliance with Indian and global standards.
- Oversee or support clinical trials and testing, ensuring ethical and effective study design and execution. Work with CRO’s as needed.
- Mission & Impact Focus
- Uphold KeraLink’s mission to address corneal blindness worldwide through innovative, cost-effective technologies.
- Emphasize frugal innovation principles, striving for solutions that maximize impact per dollar spent.
- Venture Center Integration
- Engage with the innovation ecosystem in the Venture Center; participate in events, workshops, training programs, mentoring sessions etc; and leverage the expertise and experience of the Venture Center founders’ network.
Candidate Profile
- Education & Experience - Graduate of the School of Biodesign (or equivalent user-centered design program) with 10+ years of experience in medtech product development.
- Proven track record taking products to clinical testing or market launch.
- Experience in organic chemistry good to have
- Startup/Unstructured Environment Experience
- Comfortable working in a less-structured environment; able to excel amid ambiguity and build processes from scratch.
- Independent & Organized
- Highly self-directed, proactive, and adept at prioritizing tasks without heavy oversight.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently.
- Strong Communicator & Ambassador
- Well-spoken, able to present complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Skilled at forming and maintaining relationships; a credible representative of KLI’s vision and values.
- Mission-Driven
- Passionate about global health equity and expanding access to care through innovative technologies.
- Motivated by impactful work that directly benefits underserved communities.
- Flexibility for Global Collaboration
- Willingness to accommodate US/EU time zones for key meetings and deadlines.
What We Offer
- High-Impact Role: Shape the direction and execution of cutting-edge medtech innovations that restore sight for underserved populations.
- Autonomous Environment: Significant ownership over local product development and strategy, with support from a global team.
- Venture Center Ecosystem: Work from Pune’s premier innovation hub, surrounded by national labs, manufacturing resources, and a thriving startup community.
- Collaborative Global Team: Direct access to KLI’s worldwide network of industry experts, clinicians, and investors.
- Competitive Compensation: A market-aligned package reflecting your experience and the impact of your role.
How to Apply
Please send your resume and a brief cover letter describing your fit for this role to eayvazian@keralink.org Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us.