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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Partner with us to build your startup while keeping your current job.
- Company: Join DQventures, a team of successful founders and investors.
- Benefits: Receive hands-on support, mentorship, and access to a professional network.
- Why this job: Transform your business idea into reality with expert guidance and resources.
- Qualifications: 15+ years of industry experience and a proven track record in execution.
- Other info: Limited spots available; apply by June 30, 2025 for an August start.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is not an employment opportunity. We want to partner with you as you build your next company as a founder—part-time, while you remain employed in your current job.
Location: London / Remote
Commitment: Part-time (~12 hrs/week)
Program Duration: Typically 12 months
About You
We’re looking for an experienced professional (15+ years in your field) who has identified inefficiencies in your industry and wants to build a business to solve them. You’re not just an idea person—you have a track record of execution, whether launching new initiatives, leading teams, or driving business growth. Now, you’re ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship with the right support.
What You’ll Do
- Validate & refine your business concept through structured customer discovery and market research.
- Develop an MVP (no-code or service-led) and secure your first paying customers.
- Build traction with a scalable go-to-market strategy and early revenue.
- Prepare for investment (if needed), with pitch coaching, investor introductions, and fundraising support.
- Transition to full-time founder once your business achieves validation and sustainable revenue.
Program Structure & Expectations
- Weekly 1:1 sessions (60 mins) for mentorship, strategy, and accountability.
- Regular team check-ins for cross-functional support (product, sales, ops).
- Stage gates at key milestones, culminating in a go/no-go decision to proceed to the next phase.
Deliverables include:
- Validated problem-solution fit (customer interviews, market analysis).
- MVP prototype or service pilot.
- Early revenue from initial customers.
- Fundraising materials (pitch deck, financial model) if pursuing investment.
- A clear path to profitability or scale.
Skills & Experience Required
- 15+ years in a leadership, operational, or domain expert role.
- Deep industry expertise with a clear problem you want to solve.
- Proven execution ability—you’ve built, launched, or scaled initiatives before.
- Business development/sales acumen (strong plus)—comfort with customer outreach and selling.
- Product, ops, or service design experience (helpful but not required).
- Strong professional network to leverage for early customers or partnerships.
Your Commitment
- 12 hours/week minimum (including weekly 1:1s).
- Active participation in customer discovery, MVP testing, and early sales.
- Willingness to pivot based on feedback and data.
- Readiness to go full-time once the business achieves traction.
About DQventures
We’re a team of former founders and investors who’ve built and sold multiple businesses (up to $85M). We know the challenges of leaving a stable job to start a company—so we act as co-founders, providing hands-on support to de-risk your transition. Our in-house experts (product, GTM, fundraising) work alongside you to turn your idea into a real, investable business.
Apply Now – Limited Spots Available
We’re selecting 3 new founders to start in August 2025. If you have a business idea in your domain, apply by June 30, 2025. Interviews are underway.
Startup Founder & Business Development Leader employer: LinkedIn
Contact Detail:
LinkedIn Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Startup Founder & Business Development Leader
✨Tip Number 1
Network with other entrepreneurs and industry experts to gain insights and advice. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet potential partners or mentors who can support your journey.
✨Tip Number 2
Leverage your existing professional network to identify potential early customers for your business idea. Reach out to former colleagues or industry contacts who might be interested in your solution.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on market trends and customer needs in your industry. This will help you refine your business concept and ensure it addresses real inefficiencies, making it more appealing to potential customers.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your execution track record in detail during interviews. Highlight specific initiatives you've led and the impact they had, as this will demonstrate your capability to turn ideas into successful ventures.
We think you need these skills to ace Startup Founder & Business Development Leader
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Experience: Make sure to emphasise your 15+ years of experience in your field. Detail specific initiatives you've led, teams you've managed, and any business growth you've driven. This will showcase your capability as a potential founder.
Articulate Your Business Idea: Clearly outline the inefficiencies you've identified in your industry and how you plan to address them. This should reflect your understanding of the market and demonstrate your readiness to take the leap into entrepreneurship.
Showcase Your Execution Skills: Provide examples of past projects where you've successfully built, launched, or scaled initiatives. This will help illustrate your proven execution ability, which is crucial for this role.
Express Your Commitment: Convey your willingness to dedicate at least 12 hours a week to this venture, including participation in customer discovery and MVP testing. Highlight your readiness to pivot based on feedback and your goal to transition to a full-time founder.
How to prepare for a job interview at LinkedIn
✨Showcase Your Experience
With 15+ years in your field, it's crucial to highlight specific examples of your past successes. Discuss initiatives you've launched or teams you've led, focusing on measurable outcomes that demonstrate your execution ability.
✨Identify Industry Inefficiencies
Be prepared to articulate the inefficiencies you've identified in your industry. This shows that you have a clear understanding of the market and are ready to tackle real problems with your business idea.
✨Demonstrate Business Development Skills
Since business development is a strong plus for this role, share experiences where you've successfully engaged customers or partners. Highlight any sales strategies you've implemented and their results.
✨Express Willingness to Pivot
Entrepreneurship often requires flexibility. Convey your readiness to adapt based on feedback and data, showcasing your commitment to refining your business concept throughout the program.
