Head of Startup Creation & Growth

Mission Description

As Head of Startup, your main responsibilities are as follows:

1. Incubation Support

• Scout entrepreneurial projects with the potential to become future BioPark Charleroi companies giving the ecosystem a competitive edge by identifying the ventures that will contribute to shape its future
• Evaluate potential Life Sciences projects/startups for incubation at Biopark Charleroi
• Guide early-stage projects through incubation by supporting business modeling, access to funding, and mentorship shaping innovative ideas into robust and scalable companies
• Liaise with investors, VCs, and grant agencies to support startups’ funding needs.
• Strongly collaborate with regional partners including VCs, public non-dilutive R&D co-financing institutions, organizations supporting incubation, development and attraction of companies (Sambrinvest, Charleroi Entreprendre, BioWin, IGNITY, AWEX,...)

2. Companies Integration & Growth

• Facilitate the successful integration of new companies into our collaborative networks through a high-impact onboarding experience
• Act as a connector for growth by building high-value bridges between resident companies and actors such as research centres, hospitals, clusters, and expert service providers
• Maintain and expand strategic partnerships with universities, tech transfer offices, incubators, bio-hubs and industrial stakeholders at regional, national, and international levels playing a key role in expanding and strengthening BioPark Charleroi’s network

Candidate profile

• Master’s or PhD in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in Life sciences industry, R&D, innovation or startup ecosystem
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills; ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders (startups, researchers, corporates, government)
• Demonstrated leadership and entrepreneurial mindset
• Strong networks in the Walloon and Belgian Life Sciences ecosystem
• Strong organizational and communication skills in English and French
• Managing multiple projects simultaneously and ensuring deadlines are met
• Passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and the biotech/medtech sector

What We Offer

• A meaningful role in a growing and ambitious life sciences hub
• A collaborative, open, and innovation-driven international working environment
• Opportunity to build a strong, high-value network of partners, entrepreneurs, and experts across the sector
• Direct impact on the growth of cutting-edge biotech ventures

Location: BioPark Charleroi, Belgium
Contract Type: Full-time/part-time at least 4 days per week