Program Manager (all genders)

At Impossible Founders, we're building one of Germany's boldest DeepTech Startup Factory. Our mission: to turn disruptive technologies into real businesses that change the world. We partner with top researchers, fearless entrepreneurs, and leading institutions to launch ventures in fields like AI, quantum tech, new materials, and Green Tech. If you're ready to build what others think is impossible — this is your place.

In this early stage of Impossible Founders, you help shape the core of what we do: our entrepreneurship, incubation, and acceleration programs. You design, implement, and continuously improve the formats that support our founders along their DeepTech journey.

You coordinate internal processes, support participants personally, and make sure everything runs smoothly across all program activities. As we grow, your role will evolve into a more specialized focus within the broader iF program portfolio with plenty of room to grow and take ownership.

• Own and grow our deeptech founder programs end-to-end: design, plan, and run incubators, accelerators, bootcamps, workshops, and new experimental formats that move teams from idea to traction.
• Keep us ahead of the curve: benchmark our initiatives nationally and internationally, spot trends in deeptech support, and turn them into concrete program improvements.

• Be the go-to partner for founders: lead regular check-ins, run coaching sessions, connect the right mentors at the right moment, and create an environment where founders feel challenged and supported.
• Guide mentoring with intention: manage mentor matching and ensure mentoring relationships are productive, relevant, and outcome-driven.

• Build an ecosystem around the program: develop and maintain partnerships with corporates, investors, and experts to unlock pilots, customers, capital, and top-tier expertise for our startups.

• Create moments that founders remember — organize high-energy events, workshops, and networking formats that spark collaborations, deal flow, and honest peer learning

• Make impact visible and fundable — track progress, monitor outcomes, and translate results into crisp reports for management and funding bodies, showing what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next.

The role of Program Manager calls for someone who loves building programs that actually move founders forward. You understand what it takes to turn ideas into companies – either through experience in startup or innovation programs, or by working closely with founders, researchers, or tech teams. You navigate confidently between structure and flexibility and feel at home in the DeepTech and startup ecosystem.

Because Impossible Founders is still in an early build-up phase, we’re looking for someone with a strong hands-on mentality. You like to take ownership, set up processes, test formats, and iterate quickly based on feedback. You’re not afraid to get into the operational details and at the same time, you keep the overall founder journey in mind.

• Several years of experience in project or program management – ideally in a DeepTech startup, incubator, accelerator, university, or innovation context
• Solid understanding of entrepreneurship, innovation management, or tech-driven business models
• Strong organizational skills and a structured, reliable way of working – you keep track of many moving parts
• High ownership and a proactive mindset – you spot what’s needed and make it happen
• Genuine motivation to support founders and tech ideas, not just “run a program”
• Team-oriented, collaborative working style – you enjoy building things together rather than alone

• First experience as a founder, co-founder, or core team member in a startup
• Experience in working with public or private partners (e.g. universities, corporates, funding bodies)
• Familiarity with startup ecosystems, especially in DeepTech or research-based ventures
• Experience in moderating workshops, mentoring formats, or community-building activities

• Responsibility & autonomy: You take on real responsibility from day one and have the freedom to actively shape your role and the company. Output counts, and you are given the freedom you need to do your job in the best possible way.
• Flexible & family-friendly working: We offer a high degree of flexibility. We meet in the office on Mondays, and on other days attendance is optional with the option to work remotely. This includes our understanding of the needs within a family.
• Meaningful mission & impact: You will work on projects that address real challenges in AI, climate tech, and beyond. You will achieve impact and visibility by working closely with founders, researchers, and leading partners.
• Collaborative culture & diversity: We cultivate a collaborative culture—practical, ego-free, and driven by shared responsibility. Our team is characterized by diversity and openness. The company language is English so that everyone feels welcome.

• 30 days of vacation
• Deutschlandticket
• Central office in a prime location
• Choice of your own hardware