Demand Engine & Private Sector BD Manager

Position Purpose

Generate revenue opportunities for portfolio startups by building systematic bridges to the private sector and translating corporate demand into pilots, contracts, and paying customers.

Key Responsibilities

Build and manage a network of corporate and private-sector partners across procurement, innovation, and business units.

Identify corporate pain points and match them with relevant solutions from the portfolio.

Design and deliver commercial engagement formats, including corporate challenges, pilot programs, B2B matchmaking days, and corporate-startup showcases.

Support startups through the corporate sales cycle from introduction and pitch through pilot and contract.

Track commercial outcomes across pilots, proofs of concept, signed contracts, and revenue generated for portfolio startups.

Provide market intelligence to the Startup Scouting & Pipeline Manager on sectors, technologies, and solution areas requested by corporates.

Negotiate program-level partnerships with private-sector organizations, including sponsorships and co-branded initiatives.

Required Profile

Five or more years of experience in B2B sales, corporate partnerships, business development, or a comparable commercial role.

An established private-sector network is strongly preferred.

Ability to understand both corporate procurement culture and the speed and needs of startups, and to translate effectively between the two.

Strong negotiation skills and comfort owning a revenue-adjacent mandate.

Key Working Relationships

1- Private-sector partners: Builds relationships with decision makers and develops pathways for startup engagement and commercial opportunity.

2-Portfolio startups: Supports: companies through opportunity qualification, introductions, pilot development, and commercial conversion.

3-Startup Scouting & Pipeline Manager: Shares demand-side signals that inform sector priorities and startup selection criteria.

4- Investor Relations & Capital Access Manager: Coordinates on corporate venture capital and strategic investors who may also be potential customers.