CEO & Co-Founder Iron Powder

CEO and Co-Founder of Start-UpAttractive Equity StakeVenture Builder with Extensive Support NetworksThe world needs innovations to reach net-zero and circularity, but a wealth of research inventions never get used at scale. BigCircle Ventures scouts promising DeepTech and turns this into successful startups that tackle the world’s climate and circularity challenges. We focus on the large, untapped pool of early-stage innovations that would otherwise stay untouched on a shelf, hidden in a university, research institute or company lab.The Technology:The decarbonisation of heavy industry is one of the most urgent global challenges. Traditional iron and steel production methods rely heavily on fossil fuels and generate significant emissions, making it one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise.A breakthrough technology has been developed that produces high-purity iron powder with zero direct emissions. Operating at low temperatures (90–110 °C) and powered entirely by renewable electricity, the process can upgrade abundant, low-grade raw materials into valuable outputs. The iron powder can be sold directly as a product or used as feedstock in Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) to manufacture truly green steel. Its compatibility with existing infrastructure and high-purity results position it perfectly to meet the accelerating demand for sustainable industrial inputs.This innovation, currently at an early Technology Readiness Level, has been scouted, screened and selected by BigCircle Ventures, who are now recruiting a CEO & Co-Founder to lead its development, commercialisation and scale-up. Your key responsibilities will be:Fundraising: Secure capital to drive manufacturing and commercialisation.Network: Deploy and expand networks of key experts, industry leaders, and early adopters.Commercialisation: Define and execute the go-to-market strategy and build traction.Organisation: Build a company with an innovative culture and high-performing team.Who are you?You are an entrepreneurial professional with a background in metallurgy, electrochemistry, or chemical/process engineering and a strong track record in industrial-scale technologies or decarbonisation of heavy industry.You thrive in a startup environment, combining resilience with ambition and the ability to translate deep-tech into commercial success. Both strategic and hands-on, you embrace the challenges of pioneering and scaling disruptive innovation. With strong leadership skills and a collaborative mindset, you are ready to build a fast-growing, high-impact venture alongside BigCircle Ventures—the venture builder in circularity, climate, and energy technology.Requirements:You must have experience/competence in the following areas:Entrepreneurship: Seizes opportunities to drive value, competitive advantage & profit.Decisiveness: Strong sense of urgency in action and decision-making.Action-oriented: Sets challenging goals with a clear path to achieving them.Network: Brings relevant contacts, builds new networks, and leverages others' expertise.Subject expertise: Market knowledge of heavy industry or industrial materials sectors; strong plus for metals, electrochemistry, green steel, or industrial decarbonisation.Your work experience ideally includes traction and learnings in:Manufacturing: Selection & commissioning of industrial facilities.Strategic leadership: Product innovation or business development, ideally in a startup setting.People leadership: Leading companies, businesses, or multidisciplinary teams.Finance: P&L accountability with growth focus and external fundraising.New product launch: Knowledge of up- & downstream marketing.Regulatory: Understanding of European requirements for industrial operations.Other requirements:English language proficiency.Currently based in the Netherlands or willing to relocate.Available at least 3 days per week (full-time strongly preferred; full-time expected after initial funding).Apply now for further details