AI Accelerator Lead

About the Role:

Vercel is seeking an AI Accelerator Lead to own the Vercel AI Accelerator end to end and help make it the best program for pre-seed and idea-stage founders building the next generation of AI applications.

The Vercel AI Accelerator gives us early access to promising AI-native founders before they have made long-term infrastructure decisions, built their full stack, raised institutional capital, or locked in their go-to-market motion. This role will own the full program lifecycle across strategy, applications, selection, cohort experience, programming, founder engagement, community, partner credits, Builder Day, Demo Day, content, and post-program follow-up.

You’ll work closely with our Startups, Community, Content, Media, Product Marketing, Developer Relations, Partnerships, and Events teams to create a world-class founder experience that helps technical founders move from idea to product, and product to company.

This role is ideal for an operator who understands early-stage startups, is excited by AI-native company creation, can manage complex cross-functional programs, and knows how to create community, content, and founder trust at the same time.

What You Will Do:

• Own the Vercel AI Accelerator strategy, roadmap, operating model, and execution end to end, with the goal of running multiple high-quality cohorts per year.
• Design and run a repeatable program for pre-seed and idea-stage AI founders, helping them move from early idea to working product, clearer company narrative, and stronger technical foundation on Vercel.
• Own the full cohort lifecycle, including applications, selection, founder onboarding, programming, community engagement, partner credits, Demo Day, post-program follow-up and content.
• Build scalable systems for application review, founder communications, partner activation, content production, and cohort operations.
• Partner with Startups, Community, Content, Product Marketing, Vercel Media, Developer Relations, Product, and Engineering to create a world-class founder experience and surface strong founder stories.
• Build trusted relationships with founders, VCs, accelerators, operators, and AI ecosystem partners, and bring founder insights back into Vercel’s product, marketing, community, and startup strategies.

About You:

• 5+ years of experience in startup programs, accelerators, ecosystem, community, partnerships, founder relations, venture, or strategic programs, ideally in a high-growth technology or developer-focused company.
• Experience owning complex programs end to end, from strategy through execution, measurement, and iteration.
• Deep understanding of early-stage founders, especially pre-seed, idea-stage, or technical founders building from 0 to 1.
• Strong interest in AI-native startups, developer tools, infrastructure, and the changing ways founders are building products with AI.
• Proven ability to build high-quality founder or community experiences that combine programming, relationships, content, and operational excellence.
• Strong cross-functional operator who can work effectively across Startups, Community, Content, Media, Product Marketing, Developer Relations, Product, Engineering, Partnerships, Events, Legal, and Sales.
• Strong editorial and storytelling instincts, with the ability to identify compelling founder stories and turn them into useful internal or external content.
• Clear, concise communicator who is comfortable engaging technical founders, managing ambiguity, and building repeatable systems for scale.

Bonus If You:

• Have built or run an accelerator, fellowship, founder community, demo day, or venture-backed startup program.
• Have worked directly with pre-seed or idea-stage founders, AI startups, OSS developers, or technical founder communities.
• Have experience creating content programs, founder spotlights, cohort announcements, or media moments around startup communities.
• Have worked with developer-first products or are familiar with modern web and AI tooling such as Vercel, Next.js, v0, AI SDK, AI Gateway, Cursor, Claude Code, or similar tools.
• Have hosted or produced founder-facing events, workshops, demo days, or community gatherings.
• Have been a founder, early startup employee, investor, operator, or community builder yourself.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package, including equity.
• Inclusive Healthcare Package.
• Learn and Grow - we provide mentorship and send you to events that help you build your network and skills.
• Flexible Time Off.
• We will provide you the gear you need to do your role, and a WFH budget for you to outfit your space as needed.

The San Francisco, CA base pay range for this role is $114,000 - $172,000. Actual salary will be based on job-related skills, experience, and location. Compensation outside of San Francisco may be adjusted based on employee location. The total compensation package may include benefits, equity-based compensation, and eligibility for a company bonus or variable pay program depending on the role. Your recruiter can share more details during the hiring process. 

Vercel is committed to fostering and empowering an inclusive community within our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Vercel encourages everyone to apply for our available positions, even if they don't necessarily check every box on the job description.