Parttime Tech Entrepreneur in Residence - DTU Space

Technical University of Denmark (DTU); Denmark; On-site; DKK 180,000 - 240,000; Part time

Job summary

Technical University of Denmark (DTU) seeks an Entrepreneur in Residence (Part-Time) to support ESA BIC Denmark in nurturing space-tech startups. You will coach startups, facilitate corporate collaborations, and engage with investors while reporting to the DTU Space Ventures leadership across Denmark.

The role combines hands-on business development with academic collaboration, traveling to events and contributing to a growing European space-ecosystem. 15 hours per week, starting 1 January 2027.

Qualifications

• Experience in space sector technologies and markets.
• Proven track record coaching deep-tech startups on commercial development.
• Experience selling new technology to large industrial players or primes.

Responsibilities

• Coach space-tech startups and ESA BIC DK alumni on navigating the space market.
• Help startups scale via corporate collaborations, PPPs, and VC funding.
• Support ESA BIC DK in investor relationships and capacity building.
• Assist in assessing space-connection of projects and program applications.
• Represent ESA BIC DK at conferences and events in DK and abroad.

Skills

Space sector experience

Coaching deep-tech startups

Sales to industry

Entrepreneurial experience

Strong technical background

Networking in startup ecosystem

Education

MSc in Physics/Engineering/CS

Job description

Do you want to coach the next generation of space-tech startups?

Become our new Entrepreneur in Residence (Part-Time) at the European Space Agency's Business Incubator in Denmark

The European Space Agency Business Incubation Center Denmark (ESA BIC DK) is looking for a hands-on business developer (entrepreneur-in-residence) with a strong technical foundation to join our team part time.

What will you do

The Entrepreneur-in-residence will play a key role in ESA BIC DK by supporting start-ups associated with the regional incubation hub and engaging with key stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• - Coaching the space-tech startups and alumni of ESA Business Incubation Centre DK on how to navigate the space-market
• - Help our startups scale their business through corporate collaborations, public-private partnerships and raising capital from VC’s.
• - Support ESA BIC DK in relationship & capacity building with relevant Space-investors
• - Help startups assess the space-connection of their projects and offer support in the program application process
• - Represent ESA BIC DK at relevant conferences and events in DK and abroad.

Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate with:

• - Previous experience within the space sector; this could be for example rocket and propulsion technology, Satellite development or the use of satellite data for terrestrial applications.
• - Experience in coaching deep-tech startups – specifically with a focus on commercial development
• - Sales/business experience targeting major industry players – optimally you have previously been part of a team that attempted to sell new technology to a large, established company (industrial group, prime contractor in aerospace, defense or similar).
• - Entrepreneurial experience. Maybe you have worked in a startup yourself or maybe you have experience from elsewhere in the Danish startup ecosystem. Either way, you understand the challenges our startups founders are facing daily.
• - A strong technical educational background (e.g., mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or materials engineering) enabling you to quickly familiarize yourself with new domains such as structures/materials, avionics, or RF/communications. We imagine you would have e.g. an Msc in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or similar
• - Strong networking skills and a good knowledge of the Danish startup scene

You will be employed at the Technical University of Denmark. You will be reporting to Manager of DTU Space Ventures, Sune Nordentoft Lauritsen at DTU and be an integral part of the ESA BIC Denmark project organization comprising colleagues at Aarhus, Aalborg, Odense and at DTU.

What we offer in return

We offer you the chance to be part of a rapidly growing (and fun!) team of dedicated space-tech enthusiasts who strive to position DK as a major player in the fast-developing space-tech sector.

The entrepreneur-in-residence position is a challenging job in an international organization where no two days are the same and where your input will determine what tasks and activities we should undertake to support our space-startups in the best way possible.

You will represent ESA BIC and Space Ventures DK at relevant national and international space events so some travel days should be expected.

We offer a high degree of flexibility in this position.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for academic staff employed in technical-administrative positions at DTU (AC TAP): https://www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures

The workplace is DTU Lyngby Campus, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. Working hours are 15 per week.

We are looking for a candidate to fill the position from 1 January 2027.

Application and contact

If you would like additional information about the position, you are welcome to contact ESA BIC Manager, Amanda Borup via email: [e-mail]

What is ESA Business Incubation Centre

ESA BIC DK was established in 2020 as the Danish branch of the European ESA network and is now part of Space Ventures DK. ESA BIC supports the incubation of early-stage space-related startups to promote the commercialization of space technology and satellite data for the benefit of Danish industry, human welfare and society at large.

ESA BIC DK comprises a national management unit located at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and four incubation hubs at AAU, AU, SDU and DTU.

You can read more about ESA BIC Denmark our homepage https://www.spaceventures.dk/

DTU Space

DTU Space has about 250 employees and is located in the greater Copenhagen area at the Lyngby Campus of the Technical University of Denmark, together with 19 other institutes within the technical sciences. We link natural science closely with the development of new technology, spanning research areas from geodesy and Earth Observation to astrophysics and space instrumentation. DTU Space is involved in the full life cycle of space activities, including concept and design, construction and prototyping, calibration and validation, implementation and operations, data analysis, processing, dissemination, and applications, leading to new instruments and applications. We collaborate closely with ESA, NASA, and leading universities and companies worldwide, publish around 200 scientific papers a year, and serve as a key advisor to Danish authorities on space-related matters. Using specialized, cutting-edge technology and advanced data processing, we continue to expand our understanding of our planet and the universe beyond it.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829

DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.