Founding Venture Partner – Science & Security Bridge
Virtual & Fractional
The Opportunity
Bonvalet Group, a Washington-area technology and international affairs advisory firm, is seeking an entrepreneurial-minded professional to help launch and grow a new initiative at the intersection of science, international engagement, research security, and institutional risk.
We are looking for a Founding Venture Partner who brings deep expertise, an established professional network, and an interest in building an innovative commercial offering.
This is an opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping a new venture from its early stages, working directly with Bonvalet’s founder to develop its market position, engage prospective clients, and translate specialized expertise into commercially viable solutions.
What You’ll Do
The Venture Partner will play an active role in developing and commercializing the Bonvalet Science & Security Bridge, a product that has been in development since Bonvalet’s founding, with responsibilities spanning four areas:
Product Development & Strategy
- Help refine the venture’s value proposition, service offerings, and market positioning.
- Identify unmet needs and emerging challenges within the science, research, and international engagement communities.
- Contribute subject-matter expertise to the development and validation of new products and services.
- Provide strategic input on the venture’s direction, priorities, and growth opportunities.
Business Development & Market Engagement
- Identify and cultivate relationships with prospective institutional clients, collaborators, and strategic partners.
- Engage senior decision-makers to understand their operational challenges and priorities.
- Participate in exploratory meetings, presentations, and business-development discussions.
- Help translate market feedback into actionable commercial opportunities.
Program Development & Delivery
- Contribute expertise to the design and execution of selected client engagements.
- Support the development of advisory programs, executive-level engagements, and other client-facing solutions.
- Collaborate with other specialists as needed to support successful delivery.
- Help ensure that offerings are relevant, credible, and responsive to client needs.
Thought Leadership & Venture Growth
- Represent the initiative selectively in professional conversations, industry forums, and relevant networks.
- Contribute to articles, presentations, briefings, or other thought-leadership activities.
- Identify opportunities for institutional collaboration and expansion.
- Help establish the venture’s credibility and reputation within its target markets.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re particularly interested in working with ambitious self-starters with substantial professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Science and technology policy
- Research security and international research collaboration
- University research administration and institutional leadership
- Science diplomacy and international scientific engagement
- Federal research policy, compliance, or national-security matters
- Strategic advisory services involving research-intensive institutions
The strongest candidates will combine subject-matter credibility with an entrepreneurial mindset. They should be comfortable working independently, engaging senior stakeholders, and moving from identifying problems to developing practical solutions.
Experience originating business, developing client relationships, or launching new initiatives is particularly valuable.
What Success Looks Like
In the initial phase, success will involve helping establish a compelling market position, validating the offering with prospective clients, developing a qualified pipeline of opportunities, and securing initial commercial engagements.
As the venture develops, the partner may assume greater responsibility for business development, client relationships, program leadership, and commercial growth.
Partnership & Compensation
This is a flexible, fractional independent venture-partner opportunity with the potential for significant upside, structured around participation in commercial success rather than a conventional salary.
The selected partner will be eligible for an agreed share of collected revenue from qualifying engagements and activities they help develop, originate, or deliver. The participation structure will reflect the individual’s contributions and responsibilities and will be established through a written agreement.
There is no fixed salary or guaranteed compensation at this stage. The position does not convey ownership equity or authority to bind Bonvalet, and the Venture Partner title does not establish a legal partnership.
The arrangement is intended for an established professional interested in helping build a new venture while maintaining flexibility and pursuing meaningful commercial upside.
About Bonvalet Group
Bonvalet Group is a Washington-based technology and strategic advisory firm focused on helping organizations navigate complex international environments through intelligence, innovation, and practical solutions.
Interested?
We welcome a confidential introductory conversation with experienced professionals who see an opportunity to combine their expertise, relationships, and entrepreneurial interests in building something new.
Start by completing an Advisor Application and mention this position under ‘Why you would like to join Bonvalet’.