Venture Acceleration Manager for Italy

About imec.istart 

We are committed to fostering entrepreneurial innovation and technological progress. 
Our mission is to support and accelerate tech entrepreneurs as they embark on their journey. We offer a world-renowned coaching program, backed by imec, and provide initial investments to facilitate growth and attract additional funding. 

imec.istart was launched in 2011 in Belgium as one of Europe’s first startup accelerators. Over a decade later, we have grown into a globally recognized program and early-stage investor, boasting a portfolio of over 300 startups and scaleups, along with an extensive network of partners and mentors. 

imec.istart is currently active in Belgium, The Netherlands and Italy. The headquarters of imec are located in Leuven (Belgium) with a local team in Napels (Italy). The imec.istart team is mainly based in Antwerp and Ghent, yet your base camp will be in the Milan region. 
 
Read more about imec.istart on www.imecistart.com

What you will do

• Support entrepreneurs: As the day-to-day coach for (deep)tech start-ups in the imec.istart acceleration program, you'll be part of the international venture acceleration manager team. You'll inspire and motivate entrepreneurs to achieve their goals and grow their businesses. 
• Create awareness: Play a key role in raising awareness about our acceleration programs. You'll inspire, encourage, and stimulate people to become entrepreneurs. 
• Collaborate in the ecosystem: Represent the imec.istart brand in the Italian ecosystem, collaborating with our strategic partner Pariter Partners and the various imec.istart partners within Italy and beyond. 
• Spot opportunities: Engage with potential candidates for the imec.istart program. Recognize potentially interesting partnerships and collaborations within the tech & startup ecosystem in Italy. 
• Screen projects: Assist in screening promising ideas and projects, such as during pitch days. 
• Coordinate the investment process: Lead the legal and administrative processes associated with investments, working closely with our legal team and fund management. 

What we do for you

In exchange for your talent, passion, and expertise, you will be part of a multicultural and high-tech company, where challenges and opportunities are within reach. Our flexible, progressive, and informal work environment offers you a range of opportunities to take initiative and demonstrate your sense of responsibility. This is your opportunity to contribute to technology that will shape the society of tomorrow. imec supports and guides you in this mission, not only with words but with deeds. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university,' we actively invest in further developing our employees and ensuring your technical and personal growth. 
 
Your valuable contribution and that of your colleagues makes imec a top player in its domain. Your energy and effort are therefore appreciated in an attractive market-based salary supplemented with numerous benefits, as befits a global player. 

Who you are

• You have a Master’s degree or equivalent level of thinking. 
• You bring 7 to 15 years of relevant work experience, ideally within an entrepreneurial setting. Hands-on experience in a start-up is a plus, either as a founder or employee. 
• You have excellent communication skills, with fluency in English and Italian. 
• You have a keen interest in and understanding of the latest trends in technology, innovation and business. 
• You are a natural and enthusiastic networker, capable of building strong relationships and persuading others. 
• You are a proactive problem solver who can quickly and effectively respond to the needs of entrepreneurs. 
• You are the embodiment of the entrepreneurial mindset, including innovation and flexibility in everything you do. 
• You thrive in a multidisciplinary team environment and are a true team player. 
• You combine a hands-on approach with a strategic overview, achieving goals efficiently. 
• You have basic awareness of the administrative and legal elements of investments deals, and are not afraid to dive into these topics. 
• You are looking for a dynamic and varied role in a stimulating environment. 
• You join the dynamic imec.istart team as the first Italian employee (on payroll in Italy) with the opportunity to play a key role in our Italian activities. 
• Since our headquarters are based in Belgium, you are open to regular travel to Belgium – particularly during the first 6 months for in-depth training. 

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.