STPI OCTANE COO Recruitment 2026

STPI is hiring 1 Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the OCTANE Centre of Entrepreneurship at Guwahati. If you have an engineering, technology, science or MBA background and at least 8 years of experience in IT, startups or innovation ecosystem leadership, you can apply online. The last date to apply is 18 June 2026. Salary is Rs. 1,50,000 per month, with relaxation possible for deserving candidates as per the notice.

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) OCTANE COO Recruitment 2026 - 1 Post

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), through AIC STPINEXT INITIATIVES, has released Employment Notice No. STPI/GH/STPINEXT/OCTANE/131/2022/A for the COO position at the OCTANE CoE in Guwahati. This is a senior contract role for building and running a domain-focused startup and innovation centre. The appointment is purely on contract for 3 years or co-terminus with the CoE, whichever is earlier.

This job is best suited for a senior startup ecosystem leader who has handled incubation, acceleration, entrepreneurship development, innovation programs or founder-level work. The COO will work with the CEO and STPI Jurisdictional Director to develop strategy, manage operations, build partnerships and support incubated startups. The work location is Guwahati, though the notice says the location may change later by mutual agreement.

Who Can Apply?

Educational Qualification

• Qualification: Bachelor's degree in Technology/Engineering or equivalent, or Master's degree in Technology/Engineering/Science, or MBA.
• Institute requirement: The degree should be from a recognised, accredited and reputed institute or university.

Experience Requirement

• Minimum experience: 8 years of overall experience.
• Relevant background: IT industry, startup ecosystem, co-founder/founder/CxO experience, or leadership in incubators, accelerators, centres of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship development cells or mentoring organisations.
• Preferred experience: Senior-level work with government departments, agencies, allied organisations, private sector, venture capitalists, and fundraising for non-profit organisations is preferred.

Key Skills

• Business acumen: You should understand business models, operations and details needed to run a CoE.
• Startup ecosystem knowledge: You should understand local, national and global startup ecosystems.
• Technology awareness: Familiarity with AI, IoT, machine learning, analytics, blockchain, health informatics, medical technologies and medical electronics is useful.
• Communication: Strong presentation, verbal and written communication skills are required.

Who This Role Fits Best

• Startup founders and CxO profiles: The notice specifically mentions founder, co-founder and CxO type experience as relevant.
• Incubation and acceleration leaders: Experience in leading or scaling incubators, accelerators, entrepreneurship development cells, centres of entrepreneurship or mentoring organisations is useful.
• Innovation ecosystem builders: You should be comfortable working with startups, mentors, investors, government bodies, academia, labs and industry partners.
• Emerging technology awareness: The notice highlights AI, IoT, machine learning, analytics, blockchain, health informatics, medical technologies and medical electronics.

Age Limit

• Maximum age should be below 45 years.
• Age relaxation: Relaxation is permissible for deserving candidates as per the notice.
• Age reference date: Maximum age will be counted as on the last date for receipt of applications.

Salary

• Monthly compensation is Rs. 1,50,000.
• Relaxation as per industry standards is permissible for deserving candidates, subject to provisions in the DPR.
• No separate TA/DA will be given for appearing in the interview.

Application Fee

• Application fee: The official notice does not mention any application fee.
• Application mode: Online application through the STPI recruitment portal.

Selection Process

The selection process is based on screening and personal interview. There is no written exam mentioned in the notice.

1. Application Screening: Applications received by the last date will be screened by a duly constituted Screening Committee.
2. Shortlisting: Candidates meeting the advertised education, experience and other requirements may be screened in.
3. Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be called before the Search-cum-Selection Committee.
4. Recommendation: The committee will recommend a candidate or panel of candidates in order of merit for appointment.

Contract Terms to Note

• Reporting: The COO will report to the STPI Jurisdictional Director.
• Contract renewal: Renewal can be considered based on performance and project tenure extension.
• Work location: The role is for Guwahati, but the notice says work location can change based on mutual agreement.
• No TA/DA: No travel or daily allowance will be paid for attending the interview.
• Legal jurisdiction: Litigation, if any, will be subject to Delhi courts.

How to Apply

1. Go to the STPI recruitment portal at recruitment.stpi.in/coe/octane.
2. Complete Registration Part-I to generate your application number.
3. Use the application number to complete Registration Part-II.
4. Upload readable scanned copies of testimonials, certificates, passport-size photo and other required documents.
5. Review the application carefully before freezing the data, because changes are not allowed after freezing.
6. Submit the online application before 18 June 2026.

Document upload: Keep readable scanned copies of testimonials, certificates and passport-size photo ready before filling the online form. The application portal mentions separate Registration Part-I and Part-II, so complete both parts before the deadline.

After submission: The Screening Committee will review applications received by the last date, and only shortlisted candidates will be called for interview before the Search-cum-Selection Committee.

Important Dates

• Employment Notice Date: 29 May 2026
• Online Application Start: 29 May 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 18 June 2026
• Interview Date: To be announced for shortlisted candidates

• Develop the vision, strategy and business model for the OCTANE Centre of Entrepreneurship
• Manage CoE operations, outreach, startup recruitment and acceleration activities
• Build partnerships with government, industry, academia, labs, mentors and investors
• Support incubated startups with mentoring, investor access, legal support and commercialisation
• Plan quarterly budgets, monitor targets and recommend release of approved expenses
• Organize demo days, workshops, hackathons, open challenges and ecosystem events
• Report progress to the CEO, STPI Jurisdictional Director and project stakeholders
• Build and manage the CoE team with a culture of openness, integrity and entrepreneurship