Head of Startup and Scaleup Programs

EIT Digital is a leading European digital innovation and entrepreneurial education organisation driving Europe’s digital transformation. Our mission is to bring breakthrough digital innovations to the market and develop entrepreneurial talent to foster economic growth and improve the quality of life in Europe.

As a Knowledge and Innovation Community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), we integrate education, research, and business through a pan-European ecosystem comprising 350+ top European corporations, SMEs, startups, universities, and research institutes. EIT Digital is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups in the digital sector.

EIT Digital is evolving its startup and scaleup support initiatives, with an expanded focus on deep tech innovation, corporate-startup collaborations, strategic growth acceleration, and entrepreneurial training. The Head of Startup and Scaleup Programs will play a pivotal role in leading, refining, and expanding our startup creation, acceleration, scaleup, and open innovation programs, ensuring they remain best-in-class in Europe.

• Lead and Scale Startup & Scaleup Support Programs: Drive the evolution and scaling of EIT Digital’s acceleration programs, ensuring that startups and scaleups receive tailored, high-impact support in business development, fundraising, and international market expansion. Strengthen the pipeline of high-quality, investment-ready startups and scaleups, enhancing EIT Digital’s equity and investment portfolio.
• Develop and Scale Strategic Partnerships with Key European and National Initiatives: in collaboration with the CIO, the Ecosystem and the Stakeholder relation team, establish and nurture strategic and paid partnerships with leading European, national and international innovation initiatives, incubators, funds, accelerators, and deep tech ecosystems. Leverage these collaborations to strengthen EIT Digital’s deal flow, attract high-potential startups and scaleups, and enhance co-investment opportunities. These include, for example, the EIC, the EIF, NIF, EDF, Diana Accelerator, UNIDO, etc..
• Lead and Manage the Growth Services Team Lead: Oversee and support the Growth Services Team Lead providing guidance and leadership to ensure the successful scaling of startups and scaleups within the EIT Digital ecosystem.
• Enhance and Expand the Speed Master Program: Develop Speed Master into a premier corporate accelerator offering, integrating structured business growth strategies for startups and scaleups.
• Develop and Manage Open Innovation Factory: Oversee and enhance Open Innovation Factory by integrating it with public (e.g. EU-calls) and private initiatives (e.g. Corporate sponsorships), fostering co-innovation between startups, scaleups, corporates, and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Develop and Manage Venture Incubation Program: Oversee and enhance the EIT Digital Venture Incubation Program by integrating it with public (e.g. EU-calls) and private initiatives (e.g. Corporate sponsorships), ensuring that entrepreneurs and early-stage deep tech startups receive the necessary support, mentorship, and resources to transition into high-growth scaleups.
• Foster Connections Between EIT Digital Programs and Schools: Ensure seamless transition of startups from the EIT Digital Venture Incubation Program to Speed Master and onward to Growth Services. Collaborate closely with Education and Unipreneurship teams to encourage students and researchers to create startups and enter the Venture Incubation Program, providing them with entrepreneurial training and direct pathways to acceleration and scaleup support.
• Boost EIT Digital’s Brand and Visibility: Position EIT Digital’s startup and scaleup programs as the go-to platform for deep tech innovation in Europe.
• Achieve Financial Sustainability: Define and implement monetisation strategies for startup and acceleration services, contributing to EIT Digital’s financial sustainability.

• Increased Participation: Growth in the number of high-quality startups and scaleups joining EIT Digital’s acceleration programs and EIT Digital’s equity and investment portfolio
• Higher Revenue & Financial Sustainability: Increase in program fees and monetisation of acceleration services.
• Portfolio Value Growth: Enhanced market valuation and success of EIT Digital’s startup investments.
• Strategic partnerships: number of concrete collaborations established and income generated from strategic EU and national partnerships. Increased income from EIC and STEP collaborations.

Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential.

Additional European languages (French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, German, Finnish, Swedish, or Hungarian) are a plus.

Frequent travel between EIT Digital’s European offices and Brussels HQ, as well as external engagements with corporate partners and investors.

Preferably at EIT Digital HQ in Brussels.

Other EIT Digital locations may be considered, provided there is easy access to key European innovation hubs.

Reports to EIT Digital Chief Innovation and Education Officer.

Full-time position.

If you're passionate about digital transformation and want to contribute to Europe’s innovation leadership, we’d love to hear from you. Please send your resume and motivation letter to careers@eitdigital.eu outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. Only applications with a motivation letter will be considered.

Internal applications are encouraged and will be given priority. EIT Digital is actively building a talent pool for future opportunities, so we welcome applications from both internal and external candidates.

At EIT Digital, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. Join us in shaping Europe’s digital future!

Applications should be submitted before 5pm CET March 31st, 2025.