Co-founder - Material Scientist

About TandemLaunch

TandemLaunch is a Canadian deep-tech venture builder that transforms breakthrough university research into scalable startups. We provide founders with pre-seed capital, access to cutting-edge facilities, and a network of mentors, industry partners, and investors. Our mission is to create companies that redefine industries by leveraging disruptive materials, hardware, and AI innovations.

Our next venture will commercialize a breakthrough material platform: stimulus-responsive meshes made from hydrogels that adapt their porosity in real time to environmental conditions .

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a Founding Technical Entrepreneur to lead a startup based on stimulus-responsive hydrogel mesh technology . These meshes can dynamically change pore size in response to moisture, temperature, light, salinity, or electric/magnetic fields , enabling tunable permeability. Potential applications span performance apparel, protective gear, medical devices, sports equipment, filtration systems, and smart building materials .

As the founding leader, you will validate the strongest commercial opportunities, develop prototype products, and guide the technical roadmap from lab-scale proof-of-concept to scalable manufacturing.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and refine prototype products showcasing the unique benefits of stimulus-responsive meshes (e.g., waterproof-yet-breathable apparel, self-regulating helmet liners, adaptive tent materials, medical membranes).
• Translate hydrogel fabrication methods (coating, impregnation, IPN/semi-IPN synthesis, 3D structuring) into scalable, manufacturable processes.
• Conduct early customer discovery to identify urgent pain points in target markets (outdoor gear, healthcare, filtration, etc.).
• Collaborate with TandemLaunch’s venture team to shape go-to-market strategy, validate regulatory pathways, and secure early adopters .
• Recruit and lead a founding technical team of polymer chemists, materials engineers, and product designers.

What We’re Looking For

• Deep technical expertise in polymer science, hydrogel chemistry, biomaterials, or smart textiles.
• Knowledge of stimulus-responsive materials and their functionalization (moisture, ion concentration, temperature, or light responsiveness).
• Experience with fabrication techniques : polymerization, nanocomposite integration, surface treatments, or 3D printing of soft materials.
• A track record of applied research or product development in materials science, biomedical devices, or smart textiles.
• Entrepreneurial mindset — excited by uncertainty, motivated to move fast, and eager to build a company from scratch.
• Strong communication skills, capable of engaging with technical experts, customers, and investors.
• (Optional but valuable) Prior startup or translational research experience.

We Offer

• $600k in pre-seed funding and hands-on operational support to launch your company.
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities for materials prototyping and testing.
• A curated network of industry partners in outdoor gear, healthcare, and advanced materials.
• Collaboration with our venture team for customer development, fundraising, and team building .
• A competitive founder compensation package , including significant equity and stipend support.