Founders Associate - Strategy, Product & Finance in AI​/ML

Founders Associate – Strategy, Product & Finance in AI/ML

As the Founders Associate – Strategy, Product & Finance in AI/ML, you’ll work with the founders to shape Code
17's next major leap: transitioning getML into a scalable SaaS offering. This role combines strategic product thinking with involvement in the finance ecosystem - helping us explore, design, and lead either an organic growth path or a VC-backed trajectory.

You'll play a critical role in shaping how Code
17 grows, develops partnerships, and builds the future of machine learning services for relational data - the digital backbone of any major company.

This role includes a clear path to significant equity and future C-level responsibility.

As a lean, bootstrapped team of 12, Code
17 GmbH brings together senior software architects and pioneering ML researchers to partner with leading enterprises – Arvato, PwC, and AOK – on their toughest software engineering and AI challenges.

At Code
17, we build getML, a problem agnostic ML library for predictive analytics on relational business data. Our software combines proprietary and open-source components to deliver state-of-the-art automation for feature engineering. It cuts project timelines from months to days - while increasing accuracy and model interpretability.

• Anticipated Start Date: Q2/2025
• Location: On-site or remote during the first six months (based in the EU, with Leipzig comfortably reachable by train). Long-term, this is a leadership role based in Leipzig.

This is a founder-track role with real influence. You'll take ownership of our SaaS strategy and help define the future of our service:

• Drive SaaS Product & Market Fit: Define the getML SaaS product roadmap with engineering, translate market needs into specifications, and secure early product-market fit.
• Shape IP & Open-Source Strategy: Develop and execute our IP and open-source strategy for getML, balancing commercial and community goals.
• Lead SaaS Growth & Financial Modeling: Analyze growth paths (organic, VC), develop supporting business/financial models, and lead execution.
• Build Strategic Partnerships: Identify and secure partnerships (tech, financial) to accelerate product adoption and revenue.
• Manage Financial Planning & Fundraising: Oversee SaaS financial metrics and modeling. If VC is chosen, co-lead fundraising: investor relations, pitching, and closing deals.

At Code
17, we value passion, creativity, and the willingness to grow. Key qualifications for this role include:

• 0–5 years in tech consulting, VC, SaaS product management, or as a startup founder.
• Good understanding of ML concepts and their business applications.
• Experience shaping product vision, roadmaps, and achieving market fit (SaaS preferred).
• Solid financial skills: modeling, SaaS metrics (ARR, LTV, CAC), and VC fundamentals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Clear communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Proactive, with a strong sense of ownership and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Fluent German and English.

We work hard, but we also believe it should be fun and help you excel personally and professionally:

• Latest hardware, including your choice of Apple or Framework notebooks, height-adjustable desk, and a 40” curved screen
• Subsidized lunches, a job ticket for commuting, and a fitness membership (Urban Sports Club or EGYM Wellpass)
• Monthly team weeks and retreats for strategic planning, trend discussions, and social activities
• Open culture that values honest feedback and new ideas
• Free drinks, from coffee to after-hours beer in our office
• Flexible working hours and a hybrid arrangement in Leipzig
• Option to work remotely from most parts of the world for a defined period

As problem-solvers, we value out-of-the-box thinking—show us why you're the right fit. Present your skills and abilities in any way; the key is to make a lasting impression.