Jessica Stalbaum

Director of Global Business Operations at Techstars

Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States

About

Jess Stalbaum is currently in Global Business Operations for Techstars and is responsible for supporting the operations of world-class, globally recognized startup accelerator programs as well as cross-functional collaboration to meet business needs. Previously, she was Director of Platform for the Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator in partnership with Cargill and Ecolab and The Minnesota Twins Accelerator by Techstars, she was supporting portfolio companies by creating opportunities to engage more deeply with the mentor and partner community across the Techstars network, as well as, overseeing operations and partnership relationships. In 2015, she found out firsthand how much of an impact entrepreneurs and technology can have on the food ecosystem by helping build the foundation for Local Crate. As a founding member, her efforts helped drive this Minnesotan food startup’s focus on changing the meal kit industry by offering locally sourced ingredients, supporting local chefs and charities in the communities it serves and by building a regionally local supply chain. Jess began her career in the foodservice industry. She has excelled in every restaurant position, from line cook to bartender, and used this experience to passionately lead others as a Manager for J. Alexander’s restaurant group in Nashville, TN. While there, she was driving high standards in the from-scratch recipe execution in the kitchen and coaching a strong teamwork-based approach to service to allow staff to provide genuine hospitality and superior guest experiences. She holds an A.S. in Culinary Arts and a B.S. in Foodservice Management with a concentration in Beverage Service Management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI.

Experience

  • Techstars (8 yrs 7 mos)
    • Director, Global Business Operations
      Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

    • Sr. Manager, Global Business Operations
      Jan 2024 - Mar 2025 · 1 yr 3 mos

    • Sr. Operations Manager, Americas West
      Sep 2022 - Jan 2024 · 1 yr 5 mos

  • Local Crate (Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area)
    • Consultant
      Oct 2017 - Jan 2018 · 4 mos

      Helping expand business in new areas, both geographically and divisionally for Locally-sourced Meal-Kit Delivery Service. Weekly copy editing of recipes and assists in direct marketing events.

    • Founding Member
      Nov 2015 - Sep 2017 · 1 yr 11 mos

      Developed Standardized Recipe Testing Procedure. Wrote, tested and photographed new recipes and translated into Adobe InDesign format. Developed layout and content of initial standard recipe card. Built foundation for kit production process and delivery

  • Manager at J. Alexander's Restaurants
    Jun 2007 - Jan 2011 · 3 yrs 8 mos

  • Assistant Manager at Boulder Creek Market
    Aug 2000 - Aug 2003 · 3 yrs 1 mo

    Responsible for vendor relationships, hourly schedules, food production and recipes, ordering and inventory management at a deli and sandwich quick service establishment.