Venture Ecosystem Builder

As our venture ecosystem builder, you will become part of an entrepreneurial team, working on our technology transfer and tech start-up incubation and acceleration programs, on Belgian and European scale. We do a lot in space and are also active in other deep-tech sectors.
You will create a long-term impact through concrete daily actions to develop new ventures that bring cutting-edge technology to market. In this role, you will expand your network, collaborate with ambitious entrepreneurs, and develop new, breakthrough open innovation concepts.

As a venture ecosystem builder in the open innovation team, you will have a multitude of challenging responsibilities and opportunities:

Running start-up incubation and acceleration programs

• You scout and recruit deep-tech start-ups and scale-ups.
• You facilitate workshops and advise founders on entrepreneurship topics.
• You help enrolled start-ups to secure follow-on investments.
• You develop effective relationships with start-up founders, corporates, investors, mentors, and other stakeholders.

Running technology transfer programs

• You scout relevant technologies developed for high-tech sectors.
• You promote the technology portfolio through online and offline marketing.
• You identify and develop concrete opportunities to commercialize these technologies.
• You guide and support entrepreneurs, businesses and research organizations, to set up commercial deals, collaborative R&D projects or new spin-in/spin-off ventures.

General responsibilities

• You work in multidisciplinary project teams with external project partners.
• You manage one or more projects, including budget, planning and delivery.
• You build trust with our clients and partners and are an ambassador for our programs.

Education & experience

• You have a master’s degree and preferably a couple of years of professional experience in a strategic consultancy role, in a start-up environment, or working for an early-stage investor.
• You have experience with (open) innovation management in a high-tech context.
• You have experience with or in-depth understanding of the start-up process.

Knowledge and skills

• You combine business acumen with an affinity for technology and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• You thrive in diverse, multidisciplinary, cross-organizational teams.
• You tackle challenges in a methodological but pragmatic manner while maintaining a helicopter view.
• You have excellent problem-solving skills: listening, creating, analyzing, and synthesizing.
• You feel comfortable designing and implementing new processes using digital tools.
• You love giving inspiring presentations and writing clear reports.
• You are fluent in English and one other European language. Knowledge of Dutch or French is an asset.
  

Within Strategic Innovation, Verhaert’s open innovation team, we provide strategic advice and implementation support to develop open innovation ecosystems for leading governmental agencies and companies across various deep-tech sectors, such as space, energy, climate, and healthcare.

Verhaert is a pioneering integrated product development company, with over 50 years of experience in developing innovative products and systems with a high added value.
We believe innovation is the most sustainable way to generate added value, to maximize competitive advantage and to pave the way towards a better world for all of us. Therefore, it’s our mission to become masters of innovation. We do this through combining multidisciplinary thinking with in-depth know-how and a practical attitude.
We are committed to attract talent from diverse backgrounds, offer equal opportunities and access to all candidates, and create an inclusive workplace for all.

• Verhaert is a challenging innovative environment guiding companies in their development and innovation trajectories.
• You will be working in multidisciplinary teams for very different companies in many different domains.
• You help building up the success of a result minded (often technological) environment and get the chance to fully expand your talents.
• You enter into a world of innovation and help building the future of many companies.
• You will be coached and guided in our world of innovation, helping you to become a trusted advisor for your customer and its business.
• You can count on our expertise to help you improve your people skills as well as on your technology transfer process capabilities.