Deep Tech Open Innovation Manager

We are looking for a highly analytical, detail-oriented Open Innovation Manager to join our Technology Planning team. This role is ideal for candidates who sit at the intersection of deep tech and venture capital, possessing strong analytical skills, clear communication, and a foundational background in computer architecture research.

In this role, you will drive our external innovation strategy by scouting early-stage deep-tech startups, managing strategic academic collaborations, and conducting technical due diligence.

Key Responsibilities

• Startup Scouting & Ecosystem Mapping: Actively identify, source, and map early-stage startups and emerging tech companies globally within the company’s strategic domains.

• Academic Cooperation & Research Partnerships: Identify and build direct collaboration agreements with world-class professors, research labs, and universities. Facilitate joint research projects, tech-transfer initiatives, and track academic spin-offs.

• Technical Due Diligence: Evaluate startup technologies, product-market fit, and team capabilities. Analyze technical validity and assess how external innovations align with our internal roadmaps.

• Ecosystem Analysis: Conduct deep-dive analyses of startup ecosystems, venture capital trends, and academic spin-offs to identify high-potential investment and collaboration opportunities.

• Investment & Collaboration Support: Synthesize technical and commercial findings into clear, structured scouting reports, investment memos, and presentations for senior leadership to drive partnership or investment decisions.

• Cross-Border Collaboration: Act as a bridge between startup founders, academic innovators, and internal global teams (including European and China-based business units) to facilitate joint POCs, or investment reviews.

• Track Strategic Domains: Maintain a pulse on breakthroughs in AI infrastructure, advanced semiconductors, hardware-software co-design, and AI data movement.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or a related deep-tech field.

• Analytical & Due Diligence Skills: Strong ability to comprehend complex technical content, read academic papers, and evaluate startup pitch decks, market research, and technical documentation.

• Communication Excellence: Highly skilled in translating technical data into high-impact summaries, landscape maps, and technical presentations.

Nice to Have

• Experience working within a startup accelerator, venture capital firm, or corporate innovation hub.

• Experience in academic-industry collaborations.