Join the EIC Tech to Market Programme's venture building talent pool

The EIC Tech to Market Programme is looking for experienced entrepreneurs, executives, operators and domain experts to join its Venture Building Talent Pool. Talent Pool members may be matched with EIC-supported deep-tech teams to help turn scientific breakthroughs into viable start-ups. 

As part of the EIC Business Acceleration Services, the EIC Tech to Market Programme supports EIC Pathfinder and EIC Transition beneficiaries, Seal of Excellence holders, entities eligible for EIC Transition, and Women TechEU awardees in transforming breakthrough research into market-ready ventures. 

What’s in it for talent pool members?

Joining the EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Talent Pool gives you a front-row role in building Europe's next deep-tech ventures. Whether you embed in a team or advise as an executive in residence, your involvement creates real value for you and for the European innovation ecosystem. 

Talent pool members will have: 

• The potential to share in what you build 
• Access to a network that opens doors 
• A track record that stands out 
• Impact that is hard to find elsewhere 

What roles will you be requested to perform?

The call is open to two distinct profiles: Embedded Entrepreneur and Executive in Residence or Advisor. Both profiles play an important role in helping EIC-supported teams develop the capabilities, leadership and market insight required to build viable ventures. You may indicate interest in one or both roles in your application. 
  

Embedded Entrepreneurs: driving the venture from within  

An Embedded Entrepreneur joins an EIC deep-tech team and works hands-on, taking operational decisions alongside the researchers: diagnosing problems, proposing feasible solutions, and opening doors to potential partners, customers and investors. The aim is to fill the gap in entrepreneurial skills and market understanding and to help drive the venture day-to-day. It is a hands-on operational role suited to professionals with relevant start-up or venture-building experience; executive-level experience is not required. Engagements run for a defined period of six to twelve months, on a full-time or part-time basis, working remotely or partly on-site with the team. 

We are looking for: 

• Entrepreneurs who have founded and built deep-tech or technology-driven ventures; 
• Founders who have taken a technology out of the lab and helped scale it; 
• Innovation managers with hands-on venture-building experience; 
• EIC alumni and EIC-funded entrepreneurs. 

Experience level: At least 3 years of start-up experience in a founding and/or management position. 

Remuneration: Compensated by the EIC Tech to Market Programme for the duration of the engagement. 

Executives in Residence and Advisors: guiding at a strategic level 

This is a senior profile who supports a team at a more strategic level. You can engage either as an Executive in Residence, a senior decision-maker who joins the team and helps steer it, or as an Advisor, providing guidance, mentorship and strategic input on a flexible basis. We particularly want to bring in high-level executives who are new to the EIC ecosystem, broadening the expertise available to EIC ventures. 

We are looking for: 

• Senior executives and operators who have led or scaled technology companies; 
• Industry leaders with deep sector networks; 
• Experienced entrepreneurs who have built and scaled deep-tech ventures; 
• Experts who can strengthen a team in areas such as commercial strategy, finance, technology, regulatory matters, IP, or go-to-market. 

Experience level: More than 10 years of experience, ideally having taken a comparable path such as spinning a technology out of the lab and scaling it up, with proven, extensive networks. 

Remuneration: Pro bono, with the possibility of equity or another form of reward if a longer-term role develops.

Profiles we are looking for

Across both roles, Talent Pool members typically bring one of the following primary profiles: 

• Senior Leadership & Strategy 
• Product Ownership 
• Finance & Funding 
• Regulation / Certification 
• Legal / Intellectual Property 
• Sales / Business Development  

 To be eligible, you need: 

• At least 3 years of relevant experience (10+ years for Executive in Residence and Advisor roles); 
• A minimum of six months' part-time or full-time availability to work with a venture, and a clear earliest start date; 
• The right to work or operate in the EU or a Horizon Europe Associated Country; 
• Professional working proficiency in English (the Programme operates in English). 

For a full overview of the roles, the eligibility criteria and the venture-building process, see the complete EIC Tech to Market Venture Building Talent Pool Opportunity Brief and the Programme FAQ. 

About The EIC Tech to Market Programme

The EIC Tech to Market Programme is an EIC Business Acceleration Service that supports deep-tech researchers and innovators at a pivotal stage: transforming scientific breakthroughs into market-ready solutions.  
 
All services and training activities offered to eligible participants under the EIC Tech to Market Programme are covered by the EIC. Please note that participants are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation costs for any in-person meetings, events, or activities, where applicable.