Founding Managing Director

Launch500; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Launch500, a technology media and startup ecosystem platform, is seeking a founding managing director to independently drive commercial growth, editorial direction, partnerships, events and day-to-day operations. The product, technology and core infrastructure are already established, with autonomy to expand audience, strengthen the brand and turn the platform into a sustainable business.

You will manage editorial, events and partnerships, align with the wider group’s resources, and operate with

Qualifications

• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to generate revenue through sponsorships, partnerships and digital monetisation.
• Strong understanding of organic growth, digital platforms and user acquisition.
• Excellent writing, research, communication and interviewing skills.
• Sound product judgement and ability to identify opportunities for platform improvement.

Responsibilities

• Identify and monetise Launch500's platform, audience and brand through sponsorships and partnerships.
• Develop commercial partnerships and grow revenue across listings, publishing, events and the magazine.
• Translate commercial insights into clear development requirements for the founder and engineering team.
• Strengthen organic acquisition channels and refine acquisition automation for scalable growth.
• Oversee editorial operations, events, conferences and community initiatives.

Job description

Launch500 | Technology Media, Software Discovery & Startup Ecosystem

Location: London / Remote

Compensation: Revenue-share-led, with potential base salary following demonstrated performance

About Launch500

Launch500 | Technology Media, Software Discovery & Startup Ecosystem

Location: London / Remote

Engagement: Entrepreneurial, performance-led

Compensation: Revenue-share-led, with potential base salary following demonstrated performance

About Launch500

Launch500 began as a technology magazine and has recently been acquired and transformed into a comprehensive technology discovery, evaluation and media ecosystem.

What was once an editorial publication is now a fully developed platform combining software directories, product comparisons, independent Crash Tests, community-driven tournaments, founder interviews, editorial publishing, embeddable recognition badges, an annual magazine, quarterly networking events and a flagship technology conference.

The platform has been built and is ready for its next stage of growth.

With low-friction onboarding, automated acquisition infrastructure, organic distribution mechanisms and an emerging network of founders already in place, Launch500 is positioned to develop into a recognised name within the global technology and startup ecosystem.

We are now looking for an entrepreneurial individual to take ownership of this next chapter.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Founding Managing Director to independently lead Launch500's commercial growth, editorial direction, partnerships, events and day-to-day operations.

This is not an opportunity to start from zero. The product, technology and core infrastructure are already established. Your responsibility is to develop the audience, strengthen the brand, expand commercial relationships and turn the existing platform into a successful, sustainable business.

You will operate with substantial autonomy, supported where necessary by the wider group's existing media, technical and engineering resources, alongside an allocated acquisition budget.

The founder will provide strategic oversight, but the successful candidate will be entrusted with leading the business and identifying what is required to take it forward.

What You'll Be Responsible For

Commercial Growth & Monetisation

• Identify and execute opportunities to monetise Launch500's platform, audience and brand.
• Secure sponsorships for tournaments, networking events, editorial initiatives, the annual magazine and conference.
• Develop commercial partnerships and grow revenue across listings, Crash Tests, publishing and events.
• Identify additional sustainable revenue streams and improve commercial conversion.
• Build relationships with relevant technology companies, investors, accelerators and ecosystem partners.

Product Growth & Optimisation

• Analyse platform performance, user behaviour and conversion opportunities.
• Identify improvements to the website, onboarding, engagement and monetisation mechanisms.
• Translate commercial insights into clear development requirements for the founder and engineering team.
• Strengthen existing organic acquisition channels, including embeddable badges, tournaments, founder referrals and editorial visibility.
• Refine acquisition automations and establish scalable, low-maintenance growth systems.

Editorial & Brand Development

• Research, write and publish original technology and startup articles.
• Identify and interview founders, including tournament winners and companies recognised through Crash Tests.
• Establish a consistent editorial calendar and distinctive publication identity.
• Direct social media strategy and coordinate content execution with the wider media team.
• Develop Launch500's authority and recognition throughout the technology ecosystem.

Community, Events & Partnerships

• Oversee community tournaments and founder engagement initiatives.
• Plan and deliver four networking events annually.
• Lead the planning, commercial development and execution of the annual Launch500 Conference.
• Develop event sponsorships, strategic partnerships and speaker relationships.
• Coordinate the annual Launch500 Magazine and associated editorial activities.

Business Leadership

• Take independent responsibility for Launch500's day-to-day operation.
• Establish priorities, workflows, performance indicators and budgets.
• Coordinate with the wider group's media and engineering teams when necessary.
• Identify problems and commercial opportunities proactively.
• Build a lean, efficient operation that can scale without extensive additional staffing.
  

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for a commercially minded entrepreneur and capable operator, rather than a conventional corporate executive.

You should bring:

• Demonstrable ability to generate revenue through sponsorships, partnerships, business development or digital monetisation.
• Strong understanding of organic growth, digital platforms and user acquisition.
• Excellent writing, research, communication and interviewing skills.
• Sound product judgement and the ability to recognise opportunities for platform improvement.
• Confidence in establishing relationships with founders, executives, investors and commercial partners.
• The organisational ability to manage editorial operations, networking events and conferences.
• The initiative and independence to build and operate a business with limited supervision.

Experience in technology media, B2B marketplaces, startup ecosystems, digital publishing or professional communities would be particularly relevant.

Previous CEO or Managing Director experience is not required. We welcome applications from former founders, independent operators and entrepreneurial professionals looking for their next substantial opportunity.

Compensation & Progression

This is an entrepreneurial, performance-led opportunity designed for someone who wants to participate directly in the commercial value they create.

Compensation will initially be structured around an agreed revenue-sharing arrangement, rather than a conventional guaranteed executive salary, subject to applicable employment and minimum wage requirements.

Following demonstrated commercial performance and operational capability, the position may transition to a base salary alongside continued performance-linked compensation.

There is also potential to progress into the CEO role as Launch500 develops into a more established, independently operated business.

Why Join Launch500?

Launch500 offers an unusual opportunity: the chance to lead an already-developed platform without having to build the underlying technology or assemble a full team from scratch.

The acquisition and transformation of the original magazine have established the foundation. The website, product infrastructure, acquisition mechanisms and wider group support are already in place.

What Launch500 now needs is the right individual to take ownership of its growth, establish meaningful commercial partnerships, build its editorial and industry presence, and realise its potential.

You will have genuine autonomy, direct commercial incentives and the opportunity to shape a distinctive technology brand from an early stage.

The foundation has been built. We're looking for the person who can turn it into a business.