Director of Business Development (Fundraising)
Please read the following job description thoroughly to ensure you are the right fit for this role before applying.
Cambridge-Based Deep Tech Startup | Nanophotonics & XR Technology
£70,000 - £80,000 base + up to 2% equity + performance bonus
Full-time | Cambridge (4-5 days/week on-site preferred)
About Our Client
Our client is a Cambridge University spin-out at the forefront of breakthrough optical technology that's set to revolutionize the Extended Reality (XR) industry. Backed by leading VCs and Innovate UK, they've recently closed a successful seed round and are now preparing for Series A in Q2 2025.
This is a brand-new, strategic hire reporting directly to the CEO. Your primary mission in Year 1 is to lead and close the Series A fundraise by Q2 2025, while building foundations for long-term business development and revenue growth.
The Role
You'll be the driving force behind investor engagement, pitch strategy, and deal executionworking closely with the founding team to secure the funding that will scale this technology to market.
Key Responsibilities
Fundraising (Primary Focus - Year 1)
Own the Series A process end-to-end : pitch deck refinement, financial modelling, investor targeting, outreach, meetings, due diligence, and closing
Build and manage investor pipeline and CRM
Craft compelling narratives that communicate deep tech value to non-technical investors
Leverage founder's VC network while bringing your own connections and sourcing new opportunities
Prepare all investor materials, data room, and board reporting
Target close: Q2 2025
Business Development & Partnerships
Identify and develop strategic partnerships with AR/VR hardware companies, automotive OEMs, and other enterprise customers
Support commercial discussions with existing and prospective partners
Build qualified pipeline for future revenue growth
Represent the company at industry events, investor forums, and customer meetings
Essential Experience
Proven track record leading Series A, B, or C fundraises(ideally having personally closed £5M+ rounds)
Deep tech or hardware startup experience(optics, photonics, semiconductors, XR/AR/VR, robotics, or similar technical domains)
Strong existing investor networkin UK/EU venture capital
Ability to translate complex technical innovation into compelling investment narratives
Experience managing end-to-end fundraising processincluding pitch refinement, financial modelling, due diligence, and term sheet negotiation
Self-starter mentality comfortable owning outcomes in an early-stage, fast-moving environment
What's On Offer
£70,000 - £80,000base salary
1-2% equity significant upside in a company with genuine breakthrough technology
Performance-based bonus(tied to fundraising milestones and partnership achievements)
25 days holiday+ bank holidays
Ground-floor opportunityin a business with established partnerships and clear path to market
Work alongside world-class technical foundersfrom Cambridge's Centre for Photonic Devices and Sensors
Cambridge location heart of the UK's deep tech ecosystem (4-5 days/week on-site preferred, 1-2 days WFH flexibility available)
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