(Senior) Manager Business Development - Corporate Innovation (m/w/d)

Your mission

Would you like to play an active role in shaping corporate innovation in Europe and help companies build successful innovation and venture clienting programs? If so, we look forward to receiving your application for the position of (Senior) Manager of Business Development - Corporate Innovation at Start2 Group.
In this role, you’ll be responsible for acquiring new corporate clients in the Corporate Innovation Services division. You’ll identify strategic business opportunities, build client relationships, and work with companies to develop tailored solutions for innovation programs, accelerator models, venture clienting programs, and other innovation initiatives.
A particular focus is on expanding our venture clienting business in Europe.
Your responsibilities will include, in particular:

• Identifying and analyzing strategic business opportunities for the Start2 Group
• Acquiring new clients from large corporations and mid-sized companies, and building a structured sales pipeline for major European clients
• Advising companies on corporate innovation, venture clienting, venture building, accelerators, and incubators, as well as on building startup ecosystems
• Developing client‑specific proposals and solution concepts
• Maintaining and expanding relevant client and partner relationships
• Managing sales processes through to successful contract closure
• Working closely with internal teams on the handover and implementation of acquired projects

Your profile

You are a strong sales-oriented professional with a genuine interest in innovation, new technologies, and collaboration between established companies and startups. You have experience in corporate innovation and understand the needs of both large corporations and small and medium-sized businesses.
You think strategically, act pragmatically, and identify business opportunities early on. You know how to build trust with decision‑makers, structure complex customer needs, and develop compelling solutions based on them. At the same time, you bring the energy and initiative needed to actively help shape a growing business area.
Here’s what you should bring to the table:

• 3-5 years of professional experience in corporate innovation, open innovation, venture clienting, or startup collaboration
• Experience in business development, client acquisition, and relationship management
• Operational experience implementing innovation programs, ideally within or in collaboration with a corporate innovation unit
• An established network in the field of corporate innovation and corporate clients
• Experience preparing proposals and closing new contracts
• Very good English skills as well as fluency in at least one other European language
• Proficiency with CRM or sales tools, ideally HubSpot
• Initial experience with AI tools in sales or customer acquisition is a plus
• High level of self‑motivation, strong execution skills, and a passion for a dynamic work environment
• Strong communication skills and a solution‑ and service‑oriented approach to work

Why us?

• A role of responsibility with a direct impact on the expansion of our corporate innovation business in Europe
• The freedom to shape and further develop our corporate innovation offerings
• Collaboration with leading companies, innovative SMEs, startups, scaleups, and international ecosystem partners
• A dynamic, international work environment with a fast pace of execution
• A motivated team with a strong focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and effectiveness
• Flexible work models with the option to work remotely from our offices in Berlin, Munich, or Düsseldorf