Start-up CFO [DeepTech] - Vertical Lead Opportunity (Equity Optional)

F-INSTITUTE; Rotterdam; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Uncapped performance-based incentives

SAR plan (Stock Appreciation Rights)

Job summary

F.INSTITUTE is seeking a Fractional Chief Financial Officer with DeepTech experience to act as an embedded financial strategist for capital-intensive ventures. You will help build and lead the DeepTech vertical, translating technical roadmaps into funding plans and financial strategies.

You will collaborate with founders, engineers, and scientists, shaping equity and non-dilutive funding structures while guiding fundraising and strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in finance, business administration or related field.
• 5+ years in a senior role (VC/PE, investment banking, strategy) or leadership in a venture-backed company.
• Strong familiarity with DeepTech or R&D-driven ventures.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a fractional CFO for multiple VC-backed ventures, providing strategic financial leadership.
• Develop and implement financial strategies, systems, and processes to drive client growth and scalability.
• Lead fundraising efforts and prepare investor materials, financial models, and capital strategy.
• Provide strategic input for Board meetings and critical decisions.
• Utilize FP&A platform to deliver data-driven insights and optimize performance.
• Support M&A transactions and non-dilutive financing instruments.
• Contribute to building the DeepTech vertical and ecosystem partnerships.
• Drive business development within DeepTech ecosystems and research networks.

Skills

Strategic finance

DeepTech familiarity

Fundraising

Stakeholder management

Equity + non-dilutive funding

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in finance

Tools

FP&A software

Job description

F.INSTITUTE is a financial boutique specializing in ventures and high-growth technology companies. We are a modern (and a tad rebellious) company; to enable you to perform to your best we allow flexibility in time (e.g. a 4-day workweek) and place to fulfill your responsibilities. You will be working with an ambitious and fun team of various financial professionals. As we are a growing company, we encourage you to develop your own ambitions as well so we can grow together!

Our mission is to empower companies to scale effectively and achieve success by implementing best-in-class structures, processes, and tools. From taking on fractional management roles to executing strategic finance transactions, we play an integral role in the success of our clients.

Our proprietary FP&A platform and multi-disciplined team of accountants, controllers, and CFOs provide robust support for ventures navigating complex financial landscapes. We’re proud to be the trusted partner of VC-backed companies driving cutting‑edge innovation.

About the Role

We are seeking a Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with experience in DeepTech environments (e.g. advanced hardware, AI, robotics, climate tech, or other R&D-heavy ventures).

This is a dual-impact role: you will act as an embedded financial strategist for technically complex, capital-intensive ventures, while also helping to build and lead F.INSTITUTE’s DeepTech vertical.

You will work closely with founders, engineers, and scientists, translating technical roadmaps into financial strategies and funding plans.For candidates with strong ambition and entrepreneurial drive, there is a clear opportunity to take ownership of this vertical. Equity participation is optional and can be discussed for candidates who want to play a leading role in building this practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a fractional CFO for multiple VC-backed ventures, offering strategic financial leadership.
• Develop and implement financial strategies, systems, and processes to drive client growth and scalability.
• Collaborate with entrepreneurs and executives to build financial plans, forecasts, and budgets.
• Lead fundraising efforts, including preparation of investor materials, financial models, and capital strategy.
• Provide strategic input for Board meetings and critical decision-making processes.
• Utilize F.INSTITUTE’s proprietary FP&A platform to deliver data‑driven insights and optimize financial performance.
• Support M&A transactions, exit strategies, and non‑dilutive financing instruments.
• Contribute to building the DeepTech vertical, including proposition development, partnerships, and ecosystem positioning.
• Drive business development efforts within DeepTech ecosystems (VCs, research institutions, incubators, and innovation hubs).

What You Bring to the Table

Educational Background

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in finance, business administration, or a related field.
• Alternatively, a degree in a technical discipline with strong financial acumen..

Experience

• 5+ years in a senior role (e.g. VC, PE, investment banking, strategy consulting, or leadership within a venture‑backed company).
• Experience in start‑ups or scale‑ups, ideally VC‑backed environments.
• Strong familiarity with Deeptech or R&D‑driven ventures

Skills

• Ability to understand and translate technical concepts into financial implications.
• Experience with complex funding structures (equity + non‑dilutive funding).
• Commercial acumen and ability to identify strategic growth opportunities.
• Strong stakeholder management skills across technical and non-technical audiences.

Mindset

• Entrepreneurial, proactive, and ownership-driven.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and building something from the ground up.
• Collaborative and motivated by innovation and impact.

Why Join Us?

At F.INSTITUTE, we value innovation, autonomy, and collaboration. Joining our team means you’ll have the opportunity to work with some of the most transformative ventures in the technology sector. You’ll be part of a diverse, expert‑driven team that supports personal growth and professional development.

Perks and Benefits

• Competitive base salary, commensurate with experience.
• Uncapped performance‑based incentives tied to commercial success.
• Participation in our Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR) plan.
• Optional equity participation for candidates taking a leading role in the DeepTech vertical.
• Hybrid working environment with flexible hours and potential for full remote work.
• Direct access to Europe’s top venture ecosystems and networks.
• Opportunity to shape your own career trajectory and grow into a leading role within F.INSTITUTE.

F.INSTITUTE is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.