Mycolever is an innovative TechBio/Biotech startup dedicated to discovering and delivering sustainable, bioactive ingredients for the consumer care sector and beyond. With a focus on harnessing the unique capabilities of fungi, Mycolever's integrated platform spans the entire lifecycle from discovery and wet-lab validation to scale-up and commercialisation.

Mycolever is driving fungal innovation for a better tomorrow. By unlocking the potential of the Fungal Kingdom through advanced biocompound discovery, Mycolever aims to provide high-performance ingredients that significantly reduce the environmental impact of consumer products.

We are looking for a Founders Associate who will work closely with the founding team on strategic and operational initiatives across the company. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain deep insight into building a TechBio startup at the intersection of AI, biotechnology, and next-gen sustainable consumer ingredients.

You will support projects across go-to-market strategy, business development, product strategy, fundraising, finance, management and company building, helping to translate scientific innovation into real market impact. The role combines analytical thinking, entrepreneurial execution, and strong communication skills and is ideal for someone who wants to grow into a leadership role in a fast-moving startup environment.

Who will you work with

Mycolever is backed by an exceptional founding team, strong scientific expertise, a stellar board of directors, and leading impact-driven venture capital investors.

The company is led by Dr. Britta Winterberg (CEO/CTO) and Niels Dietzsch (CSO/COO/CFO). Britta drives the scientific and technological vision, bringing deep expertise in fungal biotechnology and fermentation, shaped by her previous founding experience at Formo and her PhD at the Max Planck Institute. Niels leads company building, venture strategy, and operational execution across sales, operations, and finance, drawing on experience from organizations such as Fraunhofer Venture and PwC, with an academic background from TU Munich and HEC Paris.

Mycolever is supported by a highly experienced Board of Directors and advisors, including Dr. Andreas Gocke (former Partner at Boston Consulting Group, global chemical practice) and Dr. Andreas Heyl (CTO at Formo Bio and SPRIND, former CTO at Insempra).

The company is backed by leading venture capital investors including FoodLabs, Ananda Impact Ventures, and UTUM, providing long-term support, credibility, and access to a strong European bioeconomy ecosystem.

Tasks

Strategic Venture Development: Work closely with the founders as a trusted partner, supporting strategic decision-making, business planning, and key company initiatives.

Strategy & Market Insights: Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and industry benchmarking to identify opportunities and inform strategic decisions.

Execution & Project Management: Lead and coordinate cross-functional projects across business, technology, and operations, ensuring alignment with company priorities and delivery on key milestones.

Operational Excellence: Design, implement, and improve processes that strengthen organizational efficiency and enable scalable company growth.

HR & Finance Support: Support people operations and financial planning processes, including hiring, budgeting, and coordination with external partners and service providers.

Fundraising & Investor Communication: Assist in preparing financing rounds, investor materials, and data rooms while supporting clear and effective investor communication.

Team Enablement & Culture: Help strengthen the organizational structure, support leadership processes, and contribute to building a collaborative and high-performing company culture.

What success looks like

You have become a trusted partner to the founding team, business partners, board members and investors contributing to strategic decision-making and execution.

You have implemented efficient processes and operational structures that support Mycolever’s growth.

You have independently took ownership and led projects that advance the company’s strategic goals.

You actively contribute to a collaborative, ambitious, and high-performing startup culture.

Requirements

Work Experience: 2+ years of professional experience with a strong commercial and analytical profile and an interest in deep-tech and science-driven innovation.

Background: A degree in business, management, business & technology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field. Technical affinity to chemistry, material science, cosmetic science, or similar disciplines is a plus.

Industry Exposure: Experience in consulting, venture building, the industrial bioeconomy, green chemistry, or (bio-)chemical industries is welcome. Familiarity with our target markets such as personal care & cosmetics, home care, or food/feed is a plus.

Entrepreneurial Drive: A proactive, hands-on, and entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation, sustainability, and building impactful technology companies.

Problem-Solving Skills: Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to structure complex topics, generate insights, and translate them into actionable strategies.

Communication & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across technical and commercial teams and influence stakeholders effectively.

Adaptability & Ownership: Comfort with ambiguity and a proven ability to thrive in fast-paced environments while taking ownership of projects and delivering results independently.

Benefits

A unique opportunity to shape the future of the bioeconomy.

An inspiring and collaborative team at the intersection of fungal biotechnology, deep-tech innovation, and venture building.

Strong opportunities for personal and professional growth in a pioneering startup.

A culture built on curiosity, humility, and long-term impact, where scientific excellence and entrepreneurial thinking come together.

Interested?

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us with your application – no extensive documents required. Let’s shape the future of the industrial bioeconomy together!

Equal Opportunity

At Mycolever, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We warmly welcome and encourage individuals from all backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups, to apply for this position.