RISE Business Development Fellow - TerViva

The Kupu RISE Program, in partnership with Energy Excelerator, is hiring a RISE Fellow to support TerViva (a start-up generating biofuel and animal feed from oilseed) to help develop their business by quantifying impacts and researching processing systems.

What is RISE?
RISE is one of the (4) core programs of Kupu, a 501c3 non-profit that aims to empower young adults to serve their communities through character building, service learning, and environmental stewardship. RISE is a professional development program of Kupu and is focused on building the skillset of higher education students and recent
graduates through paid, mentored work experiences in the sustainability sector. These positions are held in collaboration with private, government, and non-profit organizations throughout Hawaii and are dually focused oEnergn moving sustainability forward while building an empowered and capable green workforce in Hawaii. Find out more at www.riseHI.org.

Project Partnership
Energy Excelerator believes in the power of innovation to help us solve the world’s energy challenges, starting in Hawaii. Their program offers an accelerated pathway to help innovation companies navigate markets in Hawaii and the Asia Pacific. They support companies with funding and strategic relationships in an ideal economic environment that catalyzes their long-term growth. Beyond ideal economic conditions, funding, and strategic relationships, they are building a community around our startups.

TerViva is part of the Energy Excelerator cohort. They take underused land and work with growers and landowners to plant a tree crop called pongamia, which produces oil and protein. The oil and prote

RISE Program Qualifications

To be eligible candidates for the RISE Program must meet the following criteria
1. Available to start the fellowship the week of May 23, 2016 and commit to the fellowship for 12 months
2. A demonstrated need for the 1:1 mentorship, soft skills training, and other career development aspects of the RISE Program
3. A willingness to learn and focus on professional growth while in the RISE Program
4. Motivation, passion and awareness for local sustainability issues and solutions
5. Able to conduct him/herself in a professional manner
6. College-level written and oral communication skills
7. Ability to follow directions with attention to detail Project Specific Skills and Qualifications (Required)
 Able to collect, assess, and present data
 Able to synthesize different types of information, draw conclusions, and present results in clear and concise ways to a variety of audiences
 An understanding of/or ability to learn about energy management software and grid efficiency
 An ability to present information to and engage potential clients
 Understands key sustainability concepts and real world applications
 Able to use Word, Excel, and Google Drive
 Able to conduct advanced research
 Ability to critically think through the necessary steps of a project
 Ability to recognize and address project challenges and needs
 Ability to develop a plan based on the vision and direction of project partners
 Organized with an attention to detail
 Works effectively and appropriately with project team
 Flexible, able to deal with necessary developments in project direction and
 Business writing and presentation experience
 Some technical understanding/aptitude

The RISE Fellow is preferred to be/have:
 An undergraduate or graduate degree (or working towards a degree) in marketing, business, sustainability studies, or an interdisciplinary degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
 Some work experience (paid or volunteer) in conservation, ecology, or environmental projects