Startup Scouting & Pipeline Manager

Dhahran Techno Valley; Dhahran Compound; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Dhahran Techno Valley in Saudi Arabia seeks a Venture Scouting professional to build and manage a qualified pipeline of high-potential startups for program intake. You will proactively source founders through events, university networks, hackathons, and online platforms, evaluate momentum, and coordinate with the Demand Engine and Capital Access Manager to refine selection criteria.

This role requires a data-driven mindset, strong networking, and the ability to report pipeline quality to

Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience in venture-capital scouting, accelerator operations, startup ecosystem development, or a comparable role.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute the scouting strategy across events, hackathons, university networks, diaspora networks, and online deal-flow platforms.
• Proactively source and engage target startups, managing the pipeline from first contact through intake.
• Define and refine selection criteria using market signals from the Demand Engine and investor requirements.
• Lead screening, evaluation, and shortlisting processes, and coordinate selection committees and juries.
• Track ecosystem trends, including emerging sectors, technologies, and founder movements.
• Build and maintain relationships with referral sources, including incubators, venture capital firms, universities, and corporates.
• Report on pipeline quality and conversion to leadership.

Skills

Venture scouting

Analytical thinking

Networking

Data-driven mindset

Job description

Position Purpose

Build and manage a qualified pipeline of high-potential startups for program intake by proactively sourcing strong founders and companies rather than relying solely on inbound applications.

Key Responsibilities

Design and execute the scouting strategy across events, hackathons, university networks, diaspora networks, and online deal-flow platforms, along with managing the potential pipeline with venture building team.

Proactively source and engage target startups, managing the pipeline from first contact through intake.

Define and continuously refine selection criteria using market signals from the Demand Engine and investor requirements from the Capital Access Manager.

Lead screening, evaluation, and shortlisting processes, and coordinate selection committees and juries.

Track ecosystem trends, including emerging sectors, technologies, and founder movements.

Build and maintain relationships with referral sources, including incubators, venture capital firms, universities, and corporates.

Report on pipeline quality and conversion to leadership.

Required Profile

Three to five years of experience in venture-capital scouting, accelerator operations, startup ecosystem development, or a comparable role.

Strong analytical ability to evaluate early-stage startups across team quality, market potential, and traction.

Well-connected in the startup ecosystem, or able to build networks rapidly and credibly.

Data-driven approach to pipeline management, with the ability to manage prospects as a structured funnel rather than a contact list.

Key Working Relationships

1-Prospective startups: Owns initial outreach, qualification, pipeline progression, and the intake process.

2-Referral sources: Develops relationships with ecosystem organizations that provide quality referrals and market intelligence.

3-Demand Engine & Private Sector BD Manager: Uses corporate-demand signals to prioritize relevant sectors, technologies, and solutions.

4-Investor Relations & Capital Access Manager: Uses capital-market insights to refine readiness expectations and selection criteria.