Fundraising Specialist for Startups and Scaleups

We believe in making and shaping a competitive digital Europe that is inclusive, fair and sustainable and aim at global impact through European innovation fueled by entrepreneurial talent and digital technology.

We embody the future of innovation by mobilizing a pan-European multi-stakeholder open-innovation ecosystem of top European corporations, SMEs, startups, universities and research institutes, where students, researchers, engineers, business developers and investors address the technology, talent, skills, business and capital needs of digital entrepreneurship.

We build the next generation of digital ventures, digital products and services, and breed digital entrepreneurial talent, helping business and entrepreneurs to be at the frontier of digital innovation by providing them with technology, talent, and growth support.

The EIT Digital Growth Services (www.eitdigital.eu/growth-services) supports the growth of digital deep tech scaleups by helping them raise venture capital in Europe and secure their internationalization goals through programmes that include but are not limited to Access to Finance (A2F) programme and US Landing Program.

The A2F team scouts fast-growing digital deep tech European scaleups to admit into the Growth Services programmes with the support of a Sourcing Specialist and an Innovation Marketing Lead. Lead generation for the Growth Services team is also yearly supported by the Champions scaleup competition, whereby the winning companies are awarded a waived entry into the A2F program (only success fee applies). The Champions competition is delivered by the Challenges Lead, who is part of the Growth Services team, and the Innovation Marketing Lead. The MarCom team of EIT Digital acts in support of all the marketing and communication strategies of Growth Services to raise brand awareness and sales.

Additional duties of the A2F team are to (1) prepare and update materials for the Speed Master lessons (www.eitdigital.eu/speedmaster), (2) provide fundraising support for the equity portfolio of EIT Digital (3) support the Acceleration Manager to deliver the Equity Portfolio Support Program and (4) support the Acceleration Manager and the Regions with the selection of the Open Innovation Factory startups.

The A2F team is also expected to support the execution of EU proposals won by the organization that involve the delivery of Growth Services. As a result, the A2F team also provides occasional support in EU proposal design and writing for the parts pertaining to Growth Services delivery.

The Fundraising Specialist for Startups and Scaleups is a member of the A2F team of EIT Digital. You will be responsible for initiating, driving, and closing Seed+ and Series-A/B fundraising rounds for scaleups in our equity and non-equity portfolio that are looking to raise venture capital from European investors and corporate venture funds.

Your investor network is required to be strong in Southern Europe, with a plus if you also have access to Central Eastern Europe region.

• Closing fundraising deals for our portfolio startups and scaleups with target investors in your region to meet their investment targets;
• Building tailored investor lists and driving the fundraising process to get firm commitments on term sheets, funding amounts and deal closure timeline;
• Prepare fundraising collateral for the startups and scaleups (business plans, teasers, pitch decks) and fine-tune their financing needs (amount, timing, use of proceeds, valuation);
• Organize matchmaking opportunities between the startups and scaleups, and target VC funds, Corporate Venture funds, family offices, national funding agencies, European institutional stakeholders (such as EIC and EIF and EIB);
• Execute investor engagement activities in your region, to increase visibility & recognition of EIT Digital Growth Services as a credible source of top-quality deal flow;
• Drive the high-level delivery of Speed Master editions in collaboration with the Acceleration Manager;
• Support the Acceleration Team with the scouting of startup and scaleup candidates for the Open Innovation Factory, with the delivery of the Equity Portfolio Support Program and with the fundraising support for the equity portfolio startups and scaleups;
• Support in the development of a strong pipeline for the Champions scaleup contest and the scouting of US Landing program candidates;
• Support the Growth Services team contribution to the preparation and delivery of EU/National proposals.

• An MSc in STEM is a requirement. An MBA is a merit;
• 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in scaleup scouting, technology selling, closing deals, venture capital fundraising in scaleup accelerators or VCs in the technology sector;
• Strong network within the European digital technology industry and the European investor community (Angel/Seed investors, Venture Capital firms, and Corporate Venture Funds) involved in digital technology startups;
• Outstanding analytical skills and experience with financial modeling and business plan creation;
• Strong presentation and public appearance skills in English (verbal, written) and ability to convey simple and effective value propositions and messages;
• Hands-on approach with an entrepreneurial mindset focused on delivering results;
• Drive to make a difference and be part of a team that is leading impact in innovation ecosystems in Europe.

Mastery of English, with superior verbal, presentation and written communication skills. Professional working knowledge of language of country of placement is a requirement.

Preferably at EIT Digital HQ in Brussels, although location at one of the EIT Digital European offices with easy connection for travel in Europe might be considered. Regular travel across Europe will be required.

Please mail a resume and motivation letter to accelerator_vacancies@eitdigital.eu outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. Applications without a motivation letter will not be considered.

EIT Digital is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. To build a strong digital Europe that works for everyone it is vital that we have diverse range of skills, knowledge and experience in the sector. Therefore, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the above criteria and encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, and other underrepresented groups.

We encourage applicants to send their applications in as early as possible since they are reviewed on a rolling basis. Final deadline for applications is on Monday, April 22, 2024 (23:59pm CEST).