Program Manager for Matchmaking and Spinout Venture Program

Are you passionate about entrepreneurship, venture capital and the development of the next generation of research-based growth companies? Do you have experience from venture-financed startups or investments in innovative companies? Then Aarhus University has a unique opportunity for you.

Aarhus University (AU) distinguishes itself in a number of areas within the Danish and international research elite, where research activities generate high-quality results. With the innovation hub Kitchen, AU has taken a major step to accelerate the realization of our research, so that we can contribute even more to solving the major challenges society faces.

In Kitchen, hundreds of researchers and students each year seek help with commercializing their academic work. We assist them, among other things, with developing and conveying a solid business model as well as assembling and developing the team around the business idea. In many projects we also use IPR as a tool in the commercialization. Finally, we have colleagues who run events, network activities and training programs for the hub's users.

The advertised position has two core tasks

You will be responsible for driving our matchmaking activities, where we help entrepreneurial teams find and collaborate with co-founders, mentors and specialists who can complement and broaden the team’s competences and experience.

You will be responsible for building and running a new AU Spinout Venture program, which shall create a systematic pathway from research to investment-ready company and ensure that AU’s most promising spinout and startup companies obtain venture capital.

Thus you will play a central role in the development of Aarhus University’s ecosystem for research-based entrepreneurship and be responsible for creating structured programs that develop the companies’ business model, team, investment case and capital readiness. You will become part of a strong team of business developers, innovation specialists and external partners who share the ambition to create more successful university-based growth companies.

Primary tasks

Your main tasks will be to

• Build a strong network of mentors, serial entrepreneurs and industry experts for both matchmaking and the venture program
• Drive Kitchen’s matchmaking activities, including advisory, selection, match-facilitation etc.
• Build and run an accelerator-like program for research-based spinout companies from Aarhus University in collaboration with colleagues in Kitchen’s teams of business developers and consultants
• Help identify and select the most promising spinout candidates for the program
• Through coaching, teaching and other activities ensure that the companies become investment- and venture-ready within 4-6 months
• Establish and maintain relations with venture funds, business angels, family offices and other investors
• Measure and document the program’s impact through KPIs such as fund-raising, company formation and investment rounds.

Qualifications and experience

We are looking for a candidate with strong commercial and financial competencies as well as proven experience from the venture ecosystem.

We imagine that you

• Have a Master’s degree such as cand.merc., cand.oecon., cand.polit., cand.jur. or another relevant education
• Have experience from venture-financed companies, preferably as founder, co-founder or member of management
• Alternatively or additionally have experience from venture capital funds, corporate venture, angel investing or startup investments
• Have proven experience with capital raising and investor dialogue
• Have insight into the venture capital market and understanding of investors’ decision-making processes (due diligence)
• Have experience with strategic business development and scaling of companies as well as with the composition, dynamics and collaboration in entrepreneur teams
• Are used to working with many stakeholders and complex decision-making processes
• It would be advantageous if you have experience with university-based innovation, spinouts or technology-intensive startups.

Personal profile

We expect that you

• Are passionate about entrepreneurship and the development of new companies
• Are motivated by creating tangible results and helping companies succeed
• Have high impact and the ability to build trust among founders, researchers and investors
• Can work in a structured and independent manner and take responsibility for building new initiatives from the ground up
• Are relationship-building and thrive in a strong network-driven environment
• Communicate professionally in both Danish and English, in writing as well as orally.

We offer

• A unique opportunity to set the direction for Aarhus University’s upcoming generation of startup and spinout companies
• A central role in one of Denmark’s strongest innovation and entrepreneurship environments
• Close collaboration with researchers, founders, investors and industry
• Opportunity to build and shape a new program with great strategic significance
• High degree of freedom and responsibility
• A strong professional environment with engaged and competent colleagues
• A broad national and international network within innovation and venture capital.

Salary and employment terms

It is a fixed full-time position. Salary and employment terms follow the Agreement for Academics in the State ( see the agreement here ).

Depending on your experience and qualifications you will be hired as a legal assistant on the AC scale’s base level with a living allowance or as a senior or chief consultant with pay according to Appendix 4 of the agreement. There will be opportunities for salary supplements based on qualifications.

You will report to the Head of Business Development in Kitchen.

We offer flexible working hours, which provide good opportunities to balance work and family life optimally.

For questions about the position, the Head of Business Development, Jonas Brandt, can be contacted on mobile 20 44 21 91, e-mail [email protected] .

The workplace is Kitchen, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen 76, 8000 Aarhus C.

Recruitment process

All applications must be made online and received no later than 30 October 2026.

The first round of interviews will take place in November 2026.

Start: 1 January 2027.

You can read more about Kitchen at https://kitchen.au.dk

Further information about Aarhus University can be found at www.au.dk .

Aarhus University will be an attractive and inspiring workplace for everyone and aims for a culture where each individual can unfold and develop. We see equality and diversity as a resource and therefore encourage all interested to apply.

Applications must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed from the job posting on Aarhus University’s website.

About Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically broad and research-intensive university with high quality in education and research, and a strong commitment to societal development nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring educational and research environment for 37,500 students and 9,000 staff with an annual turnover of 8.9 billion DKK. Read more at www.au.dk