The Gate is a platform for tech startups in the first stage of their existence. An information and advice platform, physical and digital, they can reach out to for a successful take off.

At The Gate, business developers of Brainport Development and Eindhoven University of Technology offer honest and independent advice. The shared goal is to improve the quantity and quality of new high tech startups in the Brainport Eindhoven region.

Together with partners Brabantse Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (BOM), Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Summa College and the regional startup ecosystem, the business developers provide information and guidance on workspaces, access to finance, training and coaching to entrepreneurial students, researchers and tech starters in the region. Through The Gate they are ready for take-off.The Gate is physically located in the Alpha Hub on the TU/e Campus, a new vibrant startup hub that also provides flexible and affordable office accommodation for startups.

The Gate is looking for a Business Developer TTT.AI to be a part of the Business Development team of TU/e.
TU/e is transitioning to become a more entrepreneurial university and wants to create a stimulating environment for its academics and students to learn entrepreneurial skills and to successfully found new startups to bring their innovations to market and thus create more impact.  Academics and staff are supported in protecting their inventions and in that framework, grant licenses to external parties. We regularly set up new companies (spin-offs), often with external parties, from our research institution(s). We do all this with a team of business developers, IP specialists, investment managers and lawyers. 
TTT.AI (new national TTT.AI programme) is the RVO-funded Thematic Technology Transfer (TTT) program in AI, in which ten research institutions and the Lumo Labs investment fund have joined forces with a large number of partners. The consortium's ten research institutions are: University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit, Utrecht University, UMC Utrecht, Radboud University, Radboudumc, Eindhoven University of Technology and the National Research Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science. TTT.AI is primarily focused on the topics of Health Care, Security and Human-Centred AI.
The TTT.AI program is funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of Education Culture and Science.

The goal of the TTT.AI consortium, and as such, that of the wanted business developers (four in total, spread across four cities) is use AI-related education and research to create start-ups and spin-offs in such a way that the research institutions can join forces and collaborate as much as possible.  This vacancy concerns the position at The Gate, the Knowledge Transfer Office of Eindhoven University of Technology.
You are the point of contact for researchers, start-up companies, funding partner Lumo Labs and other stakeholders. It is also your task to proactively scout within the research institutions and with external market parties. Together with researchers, you assess research results for commercial opportunities that could lead to spin-offs. You make sure that these spin-offs are realized and properly prepared for investors, in close collaboration with your fellow TTT.AI business developers of the other Research Institutions.

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate who has excellent communication and networking  skills. Able to quickly get to the bottom of  a new application area to understand the relevant business environment. An entrepreneurial and seasoned professional who is curious about new innovations, driven to commercialize innovations and establish partnerships. You have a relevant network that you use to achieve concrete results. Your strong business development and collaboration skills enable you to persuade and negotiate effectively, and to maintain relationships. You can make the underlying value of knowledge clear like no-one else.
Furthermore we expect the following qualifications:

• University graduate in a discipline in which AI has played a growing role.
• At least five years of relevant work experience in developing, commercializing and/or implementing software innovations, preferably AI, in an entrepreneurial environment.
• Affinity with setting up and supervising academic start-ups/spin-offs.
• Affinity with drafting, assessing and making business cases ready for investments.
• Industry expertise in Healthcare, Security, Smart Systems and/or Education is a plus, and experience within other disciplines, such as Energy or Gaming is also greatly appreciated. Ability to operate in multiple domains is a requirement.
• Understanding of (service-oriented) business models and technical protection strategies around AI.
• Affinity with intellectual property law - in the broadest sense - and licensing.
• Knowledge of and experience with applying AI in public and private organizations is a plus.
• Commercial, results and service-oriented attitude with respect for the research community and able to work both independently and in a team.
• Excellent command of the English language.
   

• Working on an inspiring campus with plenty of room for personal development and growth.
• An initial one-year contract (0.6-1.0 fte), possibly an appointment via Euflex (the secondment organization of the TU/e). After a mutual positive evaluation this appointment will be extended or converted into a permanent contract.
• The salary, depending on relevant experience will be €4.612 to €5.922 gross per month, based on a fulltime contract. (scale 12 CAO NU)
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Excellent secondary employment conditions (including childcare, a minimum of 41 leave days for a 40-hour work week and excellent sports facilities).
• Exposure to the latest developments in AI from scientific research and education.
• A dynamic and diverse environment where you will increase the impact of research by bringing innovations to market through spin-offs.
• A central position in the national AI landscape.
• Access to a challenging international world concerned with closing balanced business deals while respecting the risks and interests of various parties.