Talent & Venture Development Associate @ Early-Stage VC

Early-Stage Venture Capital & Talent

As an early-stage VC, it is our job to discover the best companies before they actually become them. For this, we consider the potential of the business case and the founders. We create a space where great business opportunities and outstanding talents meet and thrive. Unique talents, smart people strategies, and scalable organizations are just as important for the success of a company as the timing, a great business plan, or the perfect product-market fit.

“TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE, THE PRODUCTS, AND THE PROFITS—IN THAT ORDER” Ben Horowitz

We are in the business of recognizing great founders before others do. Sometimes even before the talents themselves recognize their entrepreneurial potential. Bringing in the right co-founders and key people at the perfect time has proven the potential to change the trajectory of a company.

We have launched TVD at FoodLabs and Atlantic Labs, combining the best of strategy consulting, venture building, and talent hacking to shape how we can support our ventures beyond the capital.

Why we are looking for you now

Our portfolio is growing and so is the demand for our expertise. In our current VC climate talent is more scarce than money. At the same time, promising startup ideas are often replicable. People are not. After launching this function two years ago we are ready to reach new milestones. Together with you, we will:

• Up our game in finding the best future founders for business models developed by our investment teams. This includes anything, from inspiring biotech scientists, to web3 gurus, or D2C-marketing lovers
• Build expansion playbooks, hiring roadmaps, and big picture organizational strategies with our portfolio founders, coaching them to grow on their own
• Expand our knowledge platform with insights ranging from high-level expansion models, process templates, ESOP guidelines, performance management, tech recruiting hacks, and compensation practices, to amazing employer brands, …
• Broaden our international expertise. Our portfolio is becoming more global, from London to Boston, Istanbul, or Tel Aviv

Your role: A founder’s right hand in building a business

You are developing a new function with us. Thus, you are shaping us as well as your own path in venture capital. We provide a setup that is ideal for people who love to challenge the status quo and are passionate about the power of talent. We are building the Talent & Venture Development team to take over the most urgent, mission‑critical projects – at eye level with Founders. You will design, and lead your own projects.

Who you will work with

• You will be part of the platform function “Talent & Venture Development” and join Thilo, Marc, and Kerstin in operating across both FoodLabs and Atlantic Labs
• You will on a daily basis work on eye‑level with Founders and their leadership teams
• You will collaborate closely and host projects with our Studio & Investment teams

Learn more about how we work together here:

What you need to succeed in this role

• Venture Building Expertise: You gained experience in a high‑performing startup‑up environment, learning first‑hand what it takes to successfully build and grow an organization
• Talent Expertise: You have a strong track record in bringing top talent into high‑performing startups, incl. work experience with sourcing, conversion, and interviewing best practices, and the ability to coach & mentor.
• Curiosity & Ambition: Your learning journey will be steep. You need to be driven by an absolute thirst for knowledge, operational excellence, and the grit to work on long‑term goals.
• Strong self‑management and project management skills: You have proven yourself in a demanding, fast‑paced environment and are used to engaging with decision‑makers.

What you need to succeed

Drive for excellence: No matter the field, you have proven yourself in the past with an outstanding track record. You have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree preferably in Business, Marketing, Finance, BioTech, or Engineering.

Experience: Min. 3 years of work experience in a fast‑paced environment, such as a growth start‑up, strategy consulting, or VC. Previous start‑up experience, ideally in Operations, Marketing, Strategy, or Growth is a must‑have.

It’s a Marathon: Above all, we are looking for brave and mission‑driven people ready to face a lot of obstacles on their way to ultimate success. Giving up is not an option.

Build a Solution: You have a problem‑solving mindset with excellent analytical abilities to tackle various conceptual and strategic topics in a fast‑paced environment.

Speak up: Fluency in English is a must. Fluency in German is of great advantage – You are able to effectively communicate with diverse target groups, incl. candidates, investors, corporate partners, etc.