HPI is recognized as one of the leading university institutes for computer science (www.hpi.de). Our goal is to strengthen Europe's digital sovereignty with excellent research and practice-oriented teaching in computer science. At HPI, we are convinced that excellence is created when knowledge from different disciplines is collaboratively combined to create responsible and pioneering solutions for the future.
In our research clusters "Systems," "Data and AI," "Foundations," "Digital Health," and "Security," researchers from various disciplines work together on topics relevant to solving the challenges facing society. The Digital Engineering Faculty of the University of Potsdam and HPI offers a computer science engineering degree program that is unique in Germany. 

In the course of its strong growth, the Hasso Plattner Institute is looking for the earliest possible start date for a

Senior Program Lead (f/m/x) - Venture Building, Scaling & Investment Readiness

​The position is permanent and full-time.

HPI Engine is the dedicated entrepreneurship and leadership center at Hasso Plattner Institute, built to empower tech leaders and founders to shape the future of Europe’s economy and society. Rooted in academia and fueled by the Hasso Plattner Foundation, we serve as a launchpad for tech talent to recognize their potential and confidently transform their expertise into impact. As one of Europe’s most successful hubs, our ecosystem is origin to over 300 founders, 300 startups, and more than €1 billion in venture funding. At the core of our ecosystem, we offer hands-on, experience-driven programs, mentorship, and resources- putting tech innovators in the driver’s seat to scale groundbreaking technologies through products and startups.

Your Role

As Senior Program Lead – Venture Building, Scaling & Investment Readiness, you will take a key leadership role in HPI Engine’s programs, sharing the responsibility with our Head of Programs and directly reporting to the Director of HPI Engine. 

Your specific focus will be on our execution-oriented programs, which include venture building, scaling, and investment readiness. In these areas, you will integrate your personal experience and expertise from venture capital and/or founding venture-backed software startups.

You will design, curate, and run tailored, top-of-the-line programs that not only equip founders with the necessary knowledge, networks, and frameworks to turn ideas into companies, attract investment, and scale effectively but also emphasize our ecosystem's commitment to supporting female tech entrepreneurs and leaders.

This position is ideal for an entrepreneurial venture capital professional who understands what it takes to build and scale software-driven startups and secure venture funding.

Key Responsibilities

Co-Leadership of HPI Engine Programs:

• Lead and strategically develop HPI Engine’s empowerment and execution initiatives and program team alongside the Head of Programs. Enhance team capabilities and foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation
• Ensure seamless collaboration between early-stage venture building, growth-stage scaling, and investment preparation, providing founders with a continuous support system from ideation to scale
• Implement and refine a comprehensive measurement system to assess the impact and success of our execution-oriented programs and the overall health of the ecosystem

Venture Building & Founder Support:

• Develop and run programs that guide early-stage founders from idea validation to venture creation
• Provide hands-on support to help founders refine their business models, develop product strategies, and build strong founding teams

Scaling & Growth Programs:

• Design and lead targeted initiatives that prepare startups for fundraising, growth, and international expansion
• Ensure that founders receive structured guidance on equity story, milestone planning, investor relations, and growth strategies

Venture Capital Readiness:

• Increase the investment preparedness of founders, ensuring they get ready to successfully raise venture capital
• Collaborate closely with external VC funds to source mentors and lecturers, and to connect promising founders with the right investors, e.g, with our ecosystem fund HPI Ventures

Mentorship & Founder Support:

• Act as a trusted mentor and sparring partner for founder teams, guiding them through venture building, funding rounds, and scale-up challenges

Ecosystem & Investor Relations:

• Expand and strengthen HPI Engine’s network of investors, VCs, and industry leaders
• Ensure strong collaboration between HPI Engine and key players in the startup investment landscape

Diversity & Inclusion:

• Lead efforts to foster an inclusive environment that particularly supports and empowers female tech entrepreneurs and leaders

Your Profile

Venture Building & Startup Growth Experience:

• Strong understanding of startup venture building, scaling strategies, and business model development

Venture Capital Expertise:

• Deep knowledge of startup funding, investment strategies, and VC stakeholder management
• Practical experience in the European venture capital landscape and direct exposure to investment processes, term sheets, and capital raising

Entrepreneurial Mindset:

• Strong expertise in scaling software-driven startups—either through direct startup experience or hands-on involvement in venture growth
• Ability to design and execute programs that empower founders to build, fundraise, and scale

Leadership & Strategic Vision:

• Proven experience in developing high-impact empowerment programs for startups and tech leaders
• Ability to drive long-term strategic initiatives while ensuring hands-on execution

Ecosystem Building & Networking:

• Strong experience in building and managing startup ecosystems, particularly at the intersection of academia, entrepreneurship, and venture capital

Teamwork & Initiative:

• A mission-driven, proactive team player, highly organized and self-driven, thriving in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

Bilingual:

• Strong communication skills in both English and German

Ideal Experience Level:

• 3–5 years of full-time experience in venture capital, tech-startup scaling, or high-performance program management in the required area

What We Offer

Co-Leadership Role:

• Take a strategic leadership position at HPI Engine, working alongside the Head of Programs

• Shape and scale entrepreneurial empowerment programs that impact the next generation of tech leaders and startup founders

• Spearhead the development of a unique European ecosystem, setting a new standard for entrepreneurial tech-academics across Europe

Access to an Exceptional Network:

• Work directly with top-tier investors, startup founders, and thought leaders in the venture capital and startup ecosystem

Competitive Salary & Career Growth:

• A compensation package reflecting your experience and impact in an academic ecosystem, with strong opportunities for career development
• Lead initiatives that are central to the strategic expansion and reputation of HPI Engine in Germany and Europe

Hybrid Work Model & Flexibility:

• Hybrid work opportunity with up to 1-2 remote days per week

Diverse & Inclusive Culture:

• Be part of a high-caliber, mission-driven team in an entrepreneurial, innovation-focused environment
• Contribute to a culture that values diversity and inclusion, driving initiatives that enhance participation and leadership from female tech-academics

Ready to Shape the Future of Europe’s Tech-Economy?

We invite you to join us in a key leadership role at HPI Engine. If you are passionate about venture building, startup scaling, venture capital, and ecosystem building, we’d love to hear from you!
 

We look forward to receiving your application documents including salary requirements. Please apply exclusively via our career page.

Contact person HR-Recruiting

Nicola Mertens 
+49 331 5509-428

Tobias Pröchtel

+49 331 5509-425

Hasso-Plattner-Institut für Digital Engineering gGmbH
Prof.-Dr.-Helmert-Str. 2-3
14482 Potsdam