CEO / Co-Founder

Company Overview

Tulon Photonics is an early-stage technology spinout project from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), developing laser-based photonics solutions. The technology behind Tulon is a novel way of controlling and operating lasers for applications requiring ultra-low frequency noise. Tulon builds on a deep expertise in developing laser technologies that were originally envisioned to serve in high-end scientific precision measurement applications. The new technology allows the bridging of achievable performances to industrial applications. We are building a founders team to build up the company, develop the first generation of our laser-based systems, and bring them to market.

Position Overview

We are seeking a CEO to lead the company from pre‑seed through developing its first product, market entry and early growth. You will be responsible for shaping the company’s strategy, securing funding, building the founding team, and driving the transition from academic research to commercial success. This is a unique opportunity to co‑found a deep‑tech startup with strong IP, institutional support, and a clear path to product‑market fit.

Key Responsibilities

Company Building & Strategy

• Define and execute Tulon’s business strategy, including product roadmap, go‑to‑market, and fundraising.
• Build and lead the founding team, including engineering, product, and business development.
• Develop and maintain relationships with investors, grant agencies, and strategic partners.
• Shape company culture around innovation, integrity, and execution.

Fundraising & Financial Leadership

• Lead fundraising efforts (pre‑seed, seed, and beyond), including pitch development and investor engagement.
• Manage company finances, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Oversee grant applications and public funding opportunities.

Product & Market Development

• Collaborate with the CTO and engineering team to guide product development aligned with market needs.
• Engage with early customers and industry stakeholders to validate use cases and refine product‑market fit.
• Develop strategic partnerships for prototyping, manufacturing, and distribution.

Operations & Governance

• Establish operational processes, legal structures, and compliance frameworks.
• Represent Tulon in board meetings, investor updates, and public events.
• Drive IP strategy and protect core technology assets.

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Proven leadership experience in a startup or entrepreneurial environment, ideally in deep‑tech or hardware.
• Strong understanding of photonics, optics, or advanced engineering technologies.
• Strong leadership in small‑team environments.
• Track record of fundraising (VC, grants, public funding) and investor relations.
• Strategic thinker with execution capabilities and a bias for action.
• Demonstrated ability to execute technology transfer from R&D to product development.
• Experience managing project timelines, budgets, and engineering resources.
• Excellent technical and oral communication in English, the working language of the company.

Preferred:

• Experience in scaling hardware startups from prototype to product.
• Network in the European or global deep‑tech ecosystem.
• Background in physics, engineering, or business with technical literacy.

Why Join Tulon Photonics?

• Ownership & Impact: Be a foundational member of a company developing groundbreaking technology.
• Equity Opportunity: Competitive compensation package with meaningful equity participation.
• Innovation & Growth: Work on cutting‑edge photonics solutions with direct applications in advanced R&D and industry.
• Vienna Tech Ecosystem: Be part of Austria’s growing deep‑tech innovation community.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: Competitive for an early‑stage startup (€75,000–€95,000 range, based on experience).
• Equity Participation: Cofounder‑level ownership stake, depending on experience and contribution.
• Relocation Assistance: For highly qualified international candidates.