Innovation Lead

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DIGITAL is Europe’s digital innovation engine, a multi-stakeholder platform, rooted in European values and open to the world, we turn knowledge into innovation, scale startups into global ventures, and build the next generation of digital talent to shape a fair, competitive, and human-centric digital future.

The Innovation Lead is a member of the Acceleration team of 28

DIGITAL. The focus of this role will be to support startups in scaleups within the various initiatives 28

DIGITAL is conducting – including, but not limited to mentoring, training, fundraising support, networking and direction to specific EU-funded, EIT-funded and 28

DIGITAL-owned programs.

Some examples of the programs 28

DIGITAL delivers to startups and the support the Innovation Lead is expected to deliver:

• The Open Innovation Factory is an open innovation program that brings startups and corporates and other stakeholders together to develop innovation projects over a six-month timeframe receiving all round support, including financial, by 28
  
  DIGITAL. The Innovation Lead is expected to work closely together with startups and corporates and match their needs within the Open Innovation Factory framework.
• The Speed Master is a four-month executive education program delivered by 28
  
  DIGITAL staff (Acceleration Team and Growth Services Team) to early-stage entrepreneurs interested in leveling up their startup and learning about strategy, management, business development, access to finance. The Innovation Lead is expected to deliver lessons and workshops for every Speed Master cohort as well as propose interesting speakers as C‑suite speakers.
• The Venture Incubation Program is a decentralized incubation program for early-stage startups, delivered by 28
  
  DIGITAL’s incubation partners. 28
  
  DIGITAL provides mentoring and support, including financial. The Innovation Lead is expected to work closely together with the program manager and the startups to support their early-stage steps.
• The Mentor Me Program is a 4-months long acceleration program for early-stage startups with mentoring sessions, masterclasses and hands‑on support to find product‑market fit and raise early rounds. The Innovation Lead is expected to deliver mentoring sessions and support the startups of the program.
• Be responsible for and/or contribute to the KPIs of the Acceleration team, for example supported startups and scaleups, funds attracted, number of entrepreneurs supported.
• Work with the Acceleration Team to deliver 28
  
  DIGITAL programs to startups, scaleups and corporates of the 28
  
  DIGITAL community or new prospects.
• Participate in the delivery of Speed Master executive education for entrepreneurs.
• Participate in the delivery of Mentor Me for entrepreneurs.
• Support the organization of corporate matchmaking opportunities and providing maximum support to close commercial deals.
• Support the fundraising efforts of supported startups and scaleups.

• MSc in STEM is a requirement; MBA degree is a merit.
• 5+ years of proven business development and startup‑scaleup support experience in scaleup/startup ecosystems, such as accelerators, incubators, VC or CVC firms.
• Proven track record of impactful business development consulting for SMEs and startups (for example: fundraising, sales, marketing, organization, product management).
• Proven track record of leading a multi‑organization, multi‑stakeholder project and/or working group.
• Strong network within the European digital technology industry and the European investor community (Business Angels, Venture Capital firms and Corporate Venture Funds) involved in digital technology startups.
• Outstanding analytical skills and experience with financial modeling and business plan creation.
• Ability to work in a complex consortium‑based project with composite administration and work procedures.
• Ability to manage dozens of customers in parallel and customer‑focused mindset.
• Strong negotiation skills while seeking consensus and balance.
• Strong presentation and public appearance skills in English (verbal, written). Ability to convey simple and effective value propositions and messages.
• Hands‑on approach with an entrepreneurial mindset…