chemstars partners with visionary founders, established corporations, and leading investors to accelerate the sustainability transformation of the chemical industry. We support chemistry-related startups from ideation to market entry through a tailored support program and a strong, industry-specific network. As a Venture Development Manager (m/f/d), you will play a key role in shaping and delivering our startup program. You will be a trusted advisor and operational enabler to some of the most exciting early-stage deep tech and chemistry ventures in Europe. This is a unique opportunity to support the next generation of impact-driven startups and help build a future-proof chemical industry.

Your Responsibilities:

Program Management:

• Lead the strategic development, execution, and continuous improvement of our startup program and manage all program phases: startup selection, onboarding, venture support and alumni engagement
• Organize targeted insight sessions and workshops with industry experts

Startup Support & Ecosystem Engagement:

• Act as a mentor for our portfolio startups and help them overcome their individual challenges
• Build bridges between startups and key stakeholders from industry, research, investment, and public institutions and facilitate meaningful connections

Strategic Outreach & Representation:

• Represent chemstars at relevant events and help to position us as leading platform for chemistry-related innovation
• Contribute to strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the chemical sector

This is you:

• A degree in natural sciences or an entrepreneurship-related field. A doctorate is a plus
• 1-3 years of professional experience in a startup or innovation context: e.g. as a founder, venture developer, coach, accelerator manager or in innovation management
• Good understanding of business model development, early-stage financing and scaling strategies - especially in the deep tech/chemistry sector
• High level of personal responsibility, structured way of working and desire to get things done
• Proficient English and German communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage diverse audiences (start-ups, corporates, research, politics) effectively

This is us:

We partner with visionary founders, established corporations and leading investors to accelerate the sustainability transformation of our industry. Our two-fold mission: To increase the number of startups and to help entrepreneurs built successful chemical-related ventures. We do this by offering startups strategic advice and a world-class network of experts from the chemical industry and venture capital.

chemstars is a joint initiative of Bayer, Braskem, Currenta, Evonik, Henkel, Siemens and the Chemical Industry Association of North Rhine-Westphalia (VCI NRW) and the RAG-Stiftung. Our activities are co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and by the State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia.

What we offer you:

• A central role in building a strong, scalable chemistry startup ecosystem
• Great creative freedom for your ideas & formats
• Direct access to founding teams, research, industry and investors
• A motivated, interdisciplinary team with plenty of creative freedom
• Flexible working scheme (hybrid/remote possible)
• 30 days holiday, market-aligned salary, a motivated team - and very good coffee

Sounds exciting? Then send us your CV including the earliest possible start date and your salary expectations. A cover letter and/or work samples are not a must. However, they help us to get a better picture of you. We look forward to getting to know you.

Equal opportunities and diversity are highly valued at chemstars and people of all backgrounds, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion and belief, socio-economic status, educational background, age and all abilities are encouraged to apply. The position is subject to public co-funding and is limited until mid-2027.