Business Development Associate

We're building an early-stage startup from the ground up and are looking for an ambitious, entrepreneurial individual to join our founding team. If you've ever wanted to experience what it's takes to launch and grow a company from day one, this is an opportunity to work directly with the founder while helping shape the business from its earliest stages.

This is an equity-only opportunity intended for someone who is excited by ownership, long-term growth, and the challenge of building something meaningful. Rather than joining an established organization, you'll help create one.

This role offers a clear path toward becoming a Co-Founder based on your contributions, initiative, leadership, and long-term commitment.

We're especially interested in candidates who have been involved with startups, venture capital, entrepreneurship programs, founder communities, startup accelerators, or early-stage companies. If you're currently interning in venture capital or have experience supporting startup founders, we'd love to hear from you.

As a Founding Team Associate, you'll work alongside the founder on a wide variety of high-impact initiatives, including:

• Supporting company strategy and long-term planning
• Researching investors, markets, and fundraising opportunities
• Assisting with pitch deck development and fundraising preparation
• Identifying and coordinating with potential co-founders, advisors, and early hires
• Helping establish internal processes and operational workflows
• Conducting competitive and market research
• Managing special projects that support company growth
• Taking ownership of projects and driving them to completion
• Contributing ideas that help shape the future direction of the business
  

This opportunity is ideal for someone who:

• Is early in their career or recently graduated
• Wants to gain real startup experience
• Has a genuine interest in entrepreneurship
• Enjoys solving problems and taking initiative
• Thrives in fast-moving, evolving environments
• Is comfortable wearing multiple hats
• Wants to build a company rather than simply work for one
• Is interested in earning a future Co-Founder position
  

While not required, candidates with experience in the following areas are highly encouraged to apply:

• Venture Capital
• Early-stage startups
• Entrepreneurship programs
• Startup accelerators or incubators
• Business strategy
• Investor relations
• Fundraising support
• Consulting
• Operations
• Business development
• Market research
• Leadership roles in university organizations or startup clubs
  

We're looking for people who demonstrate:

• Ownership and accountability
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong organization and attention to detail
• Persistence and follow-through
• Curiosity and a willingness to learn
• Creative problem-solving
• Adaptability
• A long-term mindset

Experience matters, but mindset matters even more.

This isn't a traditional internship or entry-level position.

You'll gain firsthand experience working directly with a founder while learning how startups are built from the ground up. You'll be involved in strategic conversations and decisions that normally aren't accessible until much later in someone's career.

You'll gain experience in areas including:

• Startup strategy
• Fundraising
• Hiring
• Business operations
• Market validation
• Team building
• Leadership
• Company growth

For the right person, this role provides a genuine opportunity to transition into a Co-Founder position as the company grows.

• Equity ownership (no cash compensation at this stage)
• Direct mentorship from the founder
• Significant responsibility from day one
• Opportunity to influence company direction
• Long-term leadership growth
• Potential transition into a Co-Founder role
  

Please apply only if you:

• Understand this is an equity-only position.
• Are excited about joining a company at the earliest stage.
• Are looking for meaningful ownership rather than immediate salary.
• Are interested in growing into a long-term leadership or Co-Founder role.
• Can commit the time and energy needed to help build an early-stage startup.