Managing Director

Techleap is creating ideal conditions to empower tech entrepreneurship. The non-profit is transforming from a publicly subsidized to a hybridly funded model. With the management team and Special Envoy Constantijn van Oranje, the Managing Director will lead this transformation with an entrepreneurial approach to help ventures accelerate growth.

About Techleap

Start-ups and scale-ups create tomorrow’s jobs and drive progress in vital areas such as energy transition, cyber security, and health care. The Netherlands is a European innovation hotspot and Techleap is an Amsterdam-based non-profit organization determined to keep it that way. Their catalyst towards entrepreneurship began in 2019. Along with public and private stakeholders, they’ve built a well-connected, inclusive, and self-empowered Dutch tech ecosystem that boosts growth in investments, talent, and jobs.

Techleap supports founders and tech ventures by solving their most significant challenges: hiring talent, raising capital, and expanding internationally. A primary activity is to establish a curated community called BOLD. It’s where more than four hundred founders and CxOs connect, openly share challenges, and find solutions together. Another main activity is to help the government design tech-friendly policies, such as the taxation of equity remuneration. Additionally, Techleap runs programs, hosts events, provides access to resources and international networks, and shares expertise.

“The Dutch tech start-up ecosystem has come a long way, but acceleration is needed to become one of the global frontrunners. To achieve that, we will double down on our deep tech programs, data capabilities, collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, and communities.” – Constantijn van Oranje, Special Envoy for Techleap

Since its launch, Techleap has been a publicly funded organization. But recently, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has extended Techleap’s mandate at half the budget and a request to raise additional public and private funding. In response, the team has launched a campaign to bring together the people and capital to continue its invaluable work. This has prompted Techleap to rethink its setup.

The team has created a transformation plan. They are preparing to spin off certain activities, increase their focus on deep tech, and strengthen commercial and entrepreneurial capabilities to maximize their contributions to the Dutch start-up and scale-up ecosystem.

Vacancy: Managing Director

The new Managing Director will lead the organization and guide Techleap through their transformation. They will take on day-to-day management and establish a structure that enables their colleagues, including the Director of Communities and Programs, and the Director of Ecosystem Change and Data, to flourish. The Managing Director will oversee all activities, directly manage the Operations functions (IT, Finance, and HR), and work closely with the Supervisory Board and Special Envoy Constantijn van Oranje.

“The Managing Director will help us reinvent ourselves and take our organization to the next level, especially operationally. From a shared passion for the Dutch tech venture scene, we will accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship” – Constantijn van Oranje, Special Envoy for Techleap

Change management will be a significant part of this role. Leading Techleap’s restructuring will require an inclusive leadership style and an approach that fits its complex public and private stakeholder context. It will be up to the Managing Director to reshape the culture and introduce a way of working that revolves around solid execution, commercial capabilities, and measurable results. They will put in place sufficient controls while empowering the teams to take initiative, learn, and iterate.

The position of Managing Director has a strong internal and operational focus. By ensuring the transition runs smoothly, they will empower others to step into the limelight. And with his background, social status, and strategic vision, Constantijn van Oranje has been a positive public ambassador for Techleap. The Managing Director will continue to help facilitate his role as Special Envoy, and together, they will chart the direction of Techleap.

This role has earned their stripes in the innovation and start-up space and is excited to devote a couple of years to giving back and helping their fellow entrepreneurs. In return, the Managing Director will build a tremendous international network, which opens up opportunities for interesting next steps.

Interested?

Techleap is working with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy. To express your interest, please contact Vivian Linker at Vivian.linker@topofminds.com