VP Business Development - Fresh Start Incubator, Kiryat Shmona

About Fresh Start:

Fresh Start is Israel’s flagship FoodTech incubator in the north, were science, entrepreneurship,

and impact converge. Backed by industry leaders Tnuva, Tempo, Siddhi Capital and OurCrowd, and supported by the Israel Innovation Authority, we are building the next generation of food systems

and Agritech pioneers.

Located in Kiryat Shmona, we are more than a startup incubator- we are a growth engine for the Galilee, a force for regional renewal, and a launchpad for deep-tech innovation in FoodTech and AgriTech.

Every company we incubate has the potential to transform how the world eats, grows, and thrives. Every person on our team plays a role in that transformation.

Why This Role Matters:

As our VP Business Development, you’ll be on the front lines of the mission to identify bold founders, guiding them through early-stage growth, and building the business frameworks that allow scientific vision to become commercial success.

We value leaders who bring industry and product DNA - people who can translate lab results into pilots, partnerships, and scalable revenue with corporates, manufacturers, and retailers. If you’ve built early commercial collaborations, structured POCs, or bridged R&D with market needs, your perspective will be a core part of our edge.

This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership position at the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic execution. You will help turn raw ideas into real-world companies, with a direct influence on the FoodTech and AgriTech landscapes and the Northern Israeli innovation ecosystem.

Position Overview:

The VP BD is a key member of the incubator's leadership team, working closely with the CEO and CTO to support the strategic and business activities of the incubator and its portfolio companies. The VP BD is responsible for identifying and evaluating new investment opportunities, managing the pipeline, working with universities' technology transfer organizations, supporting early-stage companies in their business development journey, and leading external business engagement processes.

This is a hands-on role that requires the ability to independently manage tasks such as market research, deal analysis, writing investment memos and IIA submission documents, preparing investor-facing materials, and relationship-building activities. This will be done in alignment with the incubator’s strategy and subject to final approval by the CEO and investment committee.

Key Responsibilities:

Deal Sourcing & Market Intelligence

• Identify and manage early-stage opportunities that align with the incubator’s investment thesis, while leveraging market intelligence to surface emerging trends and whitespace.
• Conduct market scans and landscape analyses to identify whitespace opportunities, surface emerging trends, and initiate outreach to relevant founders and ventures.
• Nurture early-stage relationships with entrepreneurs and partners through initial exploration stages until handoff to formal diligence.
• Manage and track the opportunity pipeline: Maintain up-to-date records of startups, founders, investors, and partnerships.
• Monitor and report on pipeline performance (e.g., sourced → screened → IC) to assess progress, identify gaps, and inform strategic actions.

Evaluation, Diligence & Investment Process

• Lead the commercial evaluation and negotiation processes to support data-driven investment decisions.
• Lead the business and market analysis components of startup evaluations, in alignment with the incubator’s investment policy and in close collaboration with the CEO.
• Manage the end-to-end commercial due diligence process and prepare clear, data-informed materials for Investment Committee discussions.
• Present investment recommendations based on market potential, business model viability, and strategic fit.
• Lead initial discussions with entrepreneurs and external partners to define potential collaboration or investment frameworks.
• Draft and negotiate preliminary business terms (e.g., LOIs, term sheets) with the CEO and legal counsel; recommend deal structures and conditions for approval.

Portfolio Support

• Provide hands-on strategic and operational support to portfolio companies' post-investment, including guidance on go-to-market, business models, and investor readiness.
• Engage directly with startup teams, offering focused, hands-on guidance to founders, in collaboration with the CEO.
• Prepare and continuously improve core business materials, business plan, including pitch decks, one-pagers, financial overviews, and Investment Committee (IC) memos.

Ecosystem Engagement & Representation

• Promote the incubator’s visibility and extend its influence through meaningful external engagement.
• Develop and maintain an active network of relevant investors, corporates, service providers, and collaborators that can support the incubator and its portfolio.
• Represent the incubator externally in meetings, delegations, and conferences as part of a coordinated team effort.
• Collaborate with national and international stakeholders (e.g., Israel Innovation Authority, economic attachés, Startup Nation Central, GFI etc.) to generate value and visibility.
• Contribute to the incubator’s brand and presence, including content development, digital visibility, and storytelling.
• Participate in selected community and ecosystem-building events that align with the incubator’s strategic goals.

Team Integration and Reporting:

The VP BD is part of the incubator’s core leadership team, working in full collaboration and partnership with the CEO and CTO. The role includes active participation in strategic discussions and organizational development, while operating in accordance with the incubator’s policies and subject to the CEO’s direction and approval.

Profile and Qualifications:

• Proven experience in business development, venture evaluation, or early-stage investment.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze markets, assess business models, and support startup growth.
• Proven experience in managing a portfolio of startups, including leading follow-on financing rounds with specialization in Series A fundraising.
• Strong international investor network – both strategic and financial – with the ability to bring in relevant global partners to support portfolio companies and the incubator.
• Strong communication skills and ability to create high-quality business materials independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, connect, and guide early-stage entrepreneurs.
• Ability to build partnerships, mobilize stakeholders, and lead collaborative efforts.
• Familiarity with the FoodTech and AgriTech sectors.
• Industry and product expertise: Deep understanding of how products move from concept to market, including commercialization pathways, manufacturing scale-up, supply chain dynamics, and go-to-market strategies.
• Fluent English – written and spoken.
• On-site presence at our Kiryat Shmona office is strongly preferred, with a minimum of two to three days per week. 

Working Style:

This is an intensive, hands-on role in a small, fast-moving team. The ideal candidate is someone who’s willing to work hard, juggle multiple responsibilities, and take ownership of tasks from start to finish. You must be comfortable working in a lean environment, contributing across multiple domains, and collaborating closely with colleagues, entrepreneurs, and external stakeholders.

How to Apply:

We've invested in creating a detailed job description. Before applying, please carefully review how well you match the key responsibilities and requirements. Please note that since this position is within an incubator managed with the support of the Israel Innovation Authority, it's important to take this into account when considering salary expectations. On-site presence in the North is a mandatory requirement - we cannot compromise on this.

If you believe you're a strong fit and are excited about this opportunity, please send your CV and a brief cover letter (in PDF format) to [email protected]

In your cover letter, please include: Why does this role speak to you & how does your experience align with the key responsibilities and qualifications

We value thoughtful applications. We appreciate your interest and carefully review every application. We'll reach out to candidates whose experience best fits the next stage of the process.

Good Luck!