Co-Founder, Commercial

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United Kingdom.

📋 Description

• Conducting customer discovery and prioritizing market opportunities, ranging from initial outreach to formal offtake agreements.

• Establishing feedstock supply partnerships with waste management firms.

• Forming strategic alliances with compounders, distributors, and brand owners.

• Collaborating with the technical founder on techno-economic modeling and pricing strategies.

• Leading fundraising efforts, including commercial due diligence, nurturing investor relationships, and securing funding rounds.

• Contributing to company strategy as an integral member of the founding team.

• Building and managing the commercial team during the scaling process.

⛳️ Requirements

• Proven founder/operator with a successful commercial background in materials, chemicals, packaging, or related industrial sectors, from initial outreach to finalized deals.

• Experience in an early-stage or startup setting; adept at taking ownership of outcomes with limited resources.

• Strong financial acumen, capable of developing, analyzing, and communicating financial models.

• Experience in fundraising from venture capital sources.

• Excellent communication skills with stakeholders, earning credibility with customers, investors, and technical co-founders alike.

• Valuable networks within the plastics, packaging, or waste management sectors.

• Understanding of circular economy trends, recycling value chains, and EU regulatory frameworks.

• Experience in managing application testing programs or go-to-market strategies in materials.

• Background in navigating regulatory pathways for chemicals or materials.

🏝️ Benefits

• The Setup: This position is designed as a Founder in Residence through Deep Science Ventures, with the aim of incorporating and spinning out the venture as soon as possible.

• The venture will launch with £250k in initial capital from DSV and Valterra Platinum (previously known as Anglo American Platinum).

• A significant equity stake will be shared between you and your co-founder(s), with salary negotiations occurring as part of the spin-out process.

• After launch, DSV will offer ongoing support in areas such as fundraising, partnerships, and recruitment.

• Remote-first work environment, open globally, with a preference for candidates based in the UK or Europe.