Head of Business Development

Join the POPCORN project! Seeking a Head of BizDev (10+ yrs) to launch our EIC-funded semiconductor test startup. Lead fundraising & GTM strategy to bridge research to market. Immediate impact!

Job description

The POPCORN project aims to revolutionize semiconductor testing by developing a cutting-edge Device-Aware Testing (DAT) platform for emerging memories such as STT-MRAMs and RRAMs. By integrating physical defect modeling directly into the test flow, POPCORN enhances outgoing chip quality and reliability while optimizing overall test costs. The platform enables faster and more accurate diagnosis and yield learning, reduces in-field failures in various critical applications, and strengthens Europe’s position in the global semiconductor industry through scalable, industry-ready solutions.

Funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition program, POPCORN is designed to bridge the “valley of death” between laboratory-validated research and a market-ready industrial solution. Over the course of the project, we will advance from a TRL 4 proof-of-concept to a fully functional Minimum Viable Product (MVP): a high-performance, automated Computer-Aided Test (CAT) suite which can be seamlessly integrated into standard EDA flows. Beyond software development, a key project outcome is the establishment of the startup’s core team: a high-caliber, entrepreneurial group where domain collaborate with business-oriented professionals to create an investment-ready commercial venture.

Current open position

We are expanding the POPCORN team and are seeking a visionary Head of Business Development (10+ years of experience) who will build the company’s business foundation, drive customer discovery, and ensure funding continuity.

Role and responsibilities

• Develop and refine the go-to-market strategy for the company’s MVP and early product offerings.
• Foster a startup culture of innovation, agility, and operational excellence.
• Lead venture fundraising and investor relations, positioning the company for its next funding round within 2–3 years.
• Define and execute the growth strategy and business roadmap, ensuring alignment with technical milestones.
• Build customer-focused processes to achieve and maintain strong product–market fit.
• Help drive customer and partner engagement with semiconductor companies, EDA vendors, IP providers, and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and emerging technologies to guide strategic business decisions.

Job requirements

Background

• MBA or a technical degree (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering) with substantial business experience in semiconductors, EDA, or deep tech industries.

Experience

• 10+ years of experience in business development, product management, or corporate strategy within deep-tech environments.
• Proven track record of co-founding or scaling startups, ideally as part of a founding or leadership team that achieved successful growth or exit.
• Demonstrated success in venture fundraising, strategic partnerships, and M&A activities.
• Experience building customer-centric operations and managing global business relationships.

Technical skills

• Ability to bridge technical and commercial domains, understanding product constraints and customer requirements.
• Skilled in market analysis, competitive intelligence, and business strategy execution.
• Experience in negotiating commercial agreements, building strategic partnerships, and managing investor relations.

Soft skills

• Entrepreneurial mindset, proactive, and comfortable with uncertainty.
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills. A strong network in the semiconductor and EDA ecosystem is a plus.
• Strategic thinker who can translate market insights into actionable plans.

Availability

• Immediate.

Employer

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology).

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.