Startup Coach – Innovation Manager

Founders Bay

Startup Coach managing product pilots for startups with SMEs; facilitating innovation workshops and building partnerships.

Posted 5/25/2026full-timeHamburg • 🇩🇪 GermanyJuniorMid-LevelWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

You jump in hands-on when a startup pilots a new product with an SME.
You mediate between ambitious founders and companies looking to transform their processes.
You recognize which solution has the potential to change an industry—and you make sure it reaches the market.
Hands-on startup coaching: you coach startups through 'critical' growth phases in early stages.
You identify operational weaknesses and develop direct solution approaches with the teams.
You support pilot projects from initialization and conception through to successful market launch.
Strategic innovation management: you build long-term partnerships with mid-market companies and corporates.
You orchestrate pilot projects between startups and corporate partners.
You facilitate innovation workshops and turn corporate challenges into concrete startup briefs.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Operational experience with startup DNA
2–3+ years of experience in a relevant industry or consulting environment—or you are a founder yourself
Proven track record in building, scaling, or supporting startups or innovation projects, preferably in an accelerator or incubator program
Hands-on mentality
You have coached startups through critical phases or experienced them firsthand
You love solving complex problems with pragmatic solutions
You prefer working with prototypes and MVPs over 50-page strategies
Your network includes decision-makers from established companies and the startup scene
You know how to open doors—and keep them open.

Benefits

Comp & perks

You play a key role in the success of the next generation of impactful startups
You will help build a top-tier network of organizations and people in the startup ecosystem
We value short communication paths, an open culture, close collaboration on shared goals, and daily growth. Join us and help shape our working culture.
Autonomy with tangible impact on new ventures and business models
The opportunity to actively shape startup ecosystems in Germany—beyond the usual hotspots

ATS Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

startup coachinginnovation managementproblem solvingoperational analysismarket launch strategiesprototype developmentMVP developmentconsultingscaling startupsaccelerator program experience

Soft Skills

hands-on mentalitymediationfacilitationnetworkingstrategic thinkingcollaborationcommunicationadaptabilitycritical thinkingrelationship building