Startup Scouting & Pipeline Manager

About Dhahran Techno Valley

Dhahran Techno Valley is seeking a Startup Scouting & Pipeline Manager to join its team in Dhahran, Eastern Region. This full-time role is central to building and managing a robust pipeline of high-potential startups for program intake.

Role Purpose

The primary purpose of this role is to proactively source strong founders and companies, ensuring a qualified pipeline of startups for program intake. This involves moving beyond reliance on inbound applications to actively identify and engage potential candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and execute the scouting strategy across various channels, including events, hackathons, university networks, diaspora networks, and online deal-flow platforms.
• Manage the potential pipeline in collaboration with the venture building team.
• Proactively source and engage target startups, overseeing the pipeline from initial contact through intake.
• Define and continuously refine selection criteria based on market signals from the Demand Engine and investor requirements from the Capital Access Manager.
• Lead screening, evaluation, and shortlisting processes, and coordinate selection committees and juries.
• Track ecosystem trends, including emerging sectors, technologies, and founder movements.
• Build and maintain relationships with referral sources, such as incubators, venture capital firms, universities, and corporates.
• Report on pipeline quality and conversion metrics to leadership.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Three to five years of experience in venture-capital scouting, accelerator operations, startup ecosystem development, or a comparable role.
• Strong analytical ability to evaluate early-stage startups based on team quality, market potential, and traction.
• Established network within the startup ecosystem, or the ability to build networks rapidly and credibly.
• Data-driven approach to pipeline management, with the capability to manage prospects as a structured funnel rather than a contact list.

Key Working Relationships

• Prospective Startups: Responsible for initial outreach, qualification, pipeline progression, and the intake process.
• Referral Sources: Develops relationships with ecosystem organizations that provide quality referrals and market intelligence.
• Demand Engine & Private Sector BD Manager: Utilizes corporate-demand signals to prioritize relevant sectors, technologies, and solutions.
• Investor Relations & Capital Access Manager: Applies capital-market insights to refine readiness expectations and selection criteria.

Application Process

Candidates interested in this role are encouraged to apply. Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.