Position: Technical CEO / Co-Founding CEO

Location: Boston or Remote (US)

Compensation: Founder-level equity + post-raise salary

Start Date: Q3 2025

About Ada IQ

Ada IQ is redefining how physical products are designed—with AI. Spun out of Northeastern and the University of Michigan, we’ve published 10+ papers, filed 4 patents, and secured $1.1M+ in non-dilutive funding. We’re a Techstars Boston and NVIDIA Inception company, and our design partners are known global brands.

Our platform uses AI to optimize how products are imagined, validated, and brought to market. With working prototypes, multiple pilots underway, and a clean cap table, we're now looking for a Technical CEO to take the reins and build this into a market-shaping company.

We’re looking for a hands-on technical CEO who has been through the zero-to-one journey and is excited to:

• Build product with urgency and conviction.
• Close early design partners and customers.
• Raise venture and non-dilutive capital.
• Recruit top-tier technical and GTM talent.

You’ll inherit real momentum: deep IP, live pilots, committed advisors, and an AI-native product at the bleeding edge of design tech. Your job is to convert that into speed, capital, and product-market fit.

Responsibilities

• Own product strategy and execution. Build the first commercial version of Ada IQ with the help of an existing team and network.
• Lead fundraising efforts (pre-seed), investor communication, and strategic capital planning.
• Build and manage a high-performing technical team. Instill a culture of fast iteration, experimentation, and accountability.
• Develop GTM and customer acquisition strategies that leverage early pilots.
• Expand our presence in AI, CAD, and consumer product innovation communities through thought leadership and strategic partnerships.

Experience

• Are a technical founder or ex-CTO with experience going from zero-to-one in deep tech, AI, or product tooling.
• Have raised venture or non-dilutive capital, and know how to pitch VCs and secure grant funding.
• Have a demonstrated track record building, shipping, and rapidly iterating on products.
• Have strong consumer product instincts and understand how product managers, designers and engineers make decisions.
• Are comfortable being both builder and CEO balancing building, fundraising, and managing the company’s growth.
• Want meaningful equity and to own the outcome.

Bonus Points

• Background in AI/ML, computational design, or design automation tools.
• Familiarity with CAD, PLM, or engineering simulation ecosystems.
• Passion for consumer products, hardware, or industrial design.
• Experience leading and scaling small technical and non-technical teams.

Why This is a Rare Opportunity

• Drive the vision. You will shape the company, product, and team.
• Strong technical foundation in place. You can bring your vision to shape the capabilities and find product-market fit.
• Equity-rich, clean cap table. Significant ownership available for the right person and the team.
• Real traction. Grants, pilots, patents, and partnerships in motion. We’re not an idea—we’re a launchpad.