Program Manager for Matchmaking and Spinout Venture Program

Application deadline 30 Oct. 23:59 CET

Expected start 1 Jan.

• Kitchen, Aarhus University - Business Development Universitetsbyen 76 8000 Aarhus C
• Full-time position ID: 171114

Apply for the position

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-funded startups or investments in innovative companies? Then Aarhus University has a unique opportunity for you.

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

In Kitchen, hundreds of researchers and students each year seek help with commercialisation of their academic work. We help them, among other things, develop and communicate a solid business model as well as assemble and develop the team around the business idea. In many projects we also use IPR as a tool in the commercialisation. Finally we have colleagues who organise events, network activities and educational 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 supplement and broaden the team's competences and experiences.

You will be responsible for building and running a new AU Spinout Venture program, which shall create a systematic path 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 will be responsible for creating structured curricula 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 of creating 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 advisers
• 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 relationships with venture funds, business angels, family offices and other investors
• Measure and document the program's impact through KPIs such as capital raises, company formations and investment rounds.

Qualifications and experience

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

We envision that you

• Have a master's degree such as cand.merc., cand.oecon., cand.polit., cand.jur. or other relevant education
• Have experience from venture-funded companies, ideally as founder, co-founder or member of the management
• Alternatively or additionally have experience from venture capital funds, corporate venture, angel investment or startup investments
• Have documented experience with capital raising and investor dialogue
• Have insight into the venture capital market and an understanding of investors' decision processes (due diligence)
• Have experience with strategic business development and scaling of companies as well as with composition, dynamics and collaboration in entrepreneurial teams
• Are used to working with many stakeholders and complex decision processes
• It would be an advantage 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 concrete results and helping companies succeed
• Have high influence 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 scratch
• Are relationship-oriented 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 coming 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 partners
• Opportunity to build and shape a new program with large strategic significance
• High degree of freedom and responsibility
• A strong professional environment with engaged and competent colleagues
• An extensive national and international network within innovation and venture capital.

Salary and terms of employment

This is a permanent full-time position. Salary and terms of employment follow the agreement for Academics in the State (see the agreement here).

Depending on your experience and qualifications you will be employed as an administrator on AC scale at the base level with the readiness allowance or as a specialist or senior consultant with pay according to the agreement's Appendix 4. There will be the possibility to negotiate additional pay 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.

For questions about the position, the Head of Business Development, Jonas Brandt, can be contacted on mobile +45 20 44 21 91, e-mail.

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

The recruitment process

All applications must be submitted 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 wishes for a culture where each individual can unfold and develop. We regard equality and diversity as a resource and therefore encourage all interested to apply.

Application should be submitted via Aarhus University's recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job posting on Aarhus University's website.

Questions about the position ?

Jonas Brandt Head of Business Development, Kitchen, Aarhus University - Business Development +4520442191 e-mail

Questions about the application and process ?

AU HR - Personnel Law +4529799329 e-mail

Apply for the position Application deadline: Friday 30 Oct. 2026 at 23:59 CET