Associate Business Developer - R&D Innovation

Job Description

As an Associate Business Developer at Catalyze, you will build and expand a strong network of innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and industry leaders across our three key sectors:

• Life Sciences & Health (LSH)
• Green & Sustainable Innovations (GSI)
• Industrial & Digital Technologies (IDT)

Your primary focus will be identifying and qualifying potential clients, generating leads, and supporting our business development teams in building and maintaining long-term relationships.

Success in this role requires curiosity, persistence and resilience. Not every conversation will lead to an immediate opportunity, but the relationships you build can develop into valuable partnerships over time.

About the role

As an Associate Business Developer, you will play a key role in strengthening our commercial pipeline by identifying and qualifying new leads among both prospective and existing clients.

This position is ideal for recent graduates and early-career professionals who want to build a career in sales and business development within the R&D innovation ecosystem. You will work at the intersection of science, technology and business, engaging with innovations that can create new markets, transform industries, and address major societal and environmental challenges.

One day, you might speak with the CEO of a medtech startup developing a new medical device; the next, with a professor at a leading European university working on artificial intelligence.

The Associate Business Developer role offers a clear development path toward a Junior Business Developer position. As you develop in the role, you will have the opportunity to specialize in one of Catalyze's key sectors: LSH, GSI or IDT. Together, we will determine which sector best matches your interests and strengths, while also considering Catalyze's business and team needs.

You will join a team of talented, curious professionals from diverse backgrounds. With our in-depth understanding of the funding landscape, we help clients position their innovations for funding and growth, enabling them to create positive change.

What you will do

• Build and expand a network of innovative companies, entrepreneurs, researchers, academic leaders and industry experts across LSH, GSI and IDT, including biotech, medtech, energy, climate, food, agriculture, quantum, security, space and advanced manufacturing.
• Conduct a high volume of targeted outreach to potential clients and industry experts, while maintaining a high standard of quality and relevance.
• Identify, qualify and nurture high-potential leads, including opportunities among existing Catalyze clients.
• Develop a strong pipeline of leads that can grow into sales opportunities over time.
• Build a solid understanding of Catalyze's sectors, services and the relevant funding landscape.
• Support the business development teams with prospecting, follow-up and relationship management.
• Gradually establish yourself as a knowledgeable and credible point of contact for technical experts and business leaders.

What success looks like in your first months

During your first months, your focus will be on learning, prospecting and relationship building. Early success will be measured primarily by the quality and consistency of your outreach, the network you build, and the strength of your pipeline, not only by immediate sales results.

Qualifications & competencies

• A master's degree, preferably in a field related to Life Sciences & Health, Green & Sustainable Innovations, or Industrial & Digital Technologies.
• Full professional proficiency in English; Dutch language skills are an advantage.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to engage both technical experts and senior decision-makers.
• A genuine interest in sales, innovation and business development.
• Resilience, persistence and the ability to stay motivated when outreach does not lead to immediate results.
• Strategic thinking and the ability to identify and nurture high-potential leads.
• A proactive, self-motivated and organized way of working, with the ability to work independently toward long-term goals.
• An entrepreneurial mindset and a willingness to learn.
• You are based in the Netherlands with valid work permit.

Our offer

• A clear development path in sales, including the opportunity to progress toward a Junior Business Developer role and specialize in one of our key sectors.
• Guidance and coaching from experienced business developers.
• Learning and development opportunities, with deep exposure to innovation, funding, startups and a broad network of innovation leaders.
• A competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package and performance-based bonus.
• The prospect of a permanent contract following successful completion of an initial one-year contract.
• 8% holiday allowance, 27 vacation days per year and a pension plan.
• A monthly working-from-home allowance, laptop, mobile phone and lease-bike plan.
• Healthy lunches at the office.
• A dynamic, entrepreneurial working environment with supportive colleagues, autonomy and regular social activities.

Ready to build a career at the intersection of innovation, technology and business?

If you are excited about building professional relationships, work on your commercial skillset and ready to embrace the challenges of this role; we strongly encourage you to apply!