Co-Founder - Business, Finance & Commercial (m/f/d)

Kali Energy is a Berlin-based pre-seed startup developing industrial thermal energy storage technology to help decarbonize industrial process heat. Our founders are engineers with prior hands-on experience taking an industrial-scale thermal energy storage system from early-stage development through to manufacturing handover. We are now applying that experience to build a more efficient next-generation system.

We are currently validating our proof-of-concept test rig, applying for the EXIST Gründungsstipendium through our host university, and in active discussions with investors. EXIST is one path we are pursuing, not our only one.

This is not a standard employment role. It is an opportunity to join as a founding co-founder with equalownership over the company's commercial direction, from company registration onward.

Role Overview:

We are looking for a full-time co-founder to lead the business, finance, and commercial side of the company. You will complement our technical founding team and become the face of the company to investors and customers.

Both of us are engineers. We need someone who will challenge us on the business side, own fundraising, and talk to clients and investors directly.

Tasks

• Own business and financial planning, including financial modelling, pricing strategy, and fundraising materials
• Lead investor conversations, due diligence preparation, and grant or non-dilutive funding applications
• Lead go-to-market strategy and early sales efforts in our target industry
• Develop partnerships with relevant industry players
• Manage company registration and commercial operations
• Contribute to hiring as the team grows

Requirements

Must have

• A background in business, finance, economics, or marketing, OR a technical degree combined with an MBA, OR project management experience with budget ownership, client-facing, or commercial delivery responsibility
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience (the more the better)
• Genuine, demonstrated interest in energy, decarbonization, or climate tech specifically
• Comfortable operating in an early-stage, ambiguous environment with no playbook
• Based in or willing to relocate to Berlin
• A completed degree from a German university, no older than 5 years, or completing within the next 2-3 months. This is required for our EXIST eligibility and is non-negotiable.

Nice to have

• German language
• Direct experience in B2B sales, fundraising, or grant applications
• An existing network among industrial clients or investors in energy or climate
• Financial modelling experience specific to early-stage or pre-seed companies
• Exposure to industrial or heavy-industry sectors

If you are missing something from the Nice to Have list but believe you are the right fit, make your case. The degree requirement above is the one exception. That one is fixed.

Benefits

What We Offer

Equity:
A founding co-founder role with meaningful equity. Vesting schedule applies. Final terms discussed directly.

EXIST Stipend (if eligible):
If our EXIST application is approved, the programme provides a separate, non-dilutive personal stipend for 12 months, administered through our host university and Projektträger Jülich. This comes on top of your equity stake, not instead of it. Indicative rates: ~€2,500/month for a completed Master's, ~€3,000/month for a PhD. Final amounts are confirmed by our host university and PtJ, not by us.

Timeline:

Based on the process we have been given, an EXIST funding decision realistically lands around Q1 2027. We are looking to bring someone on board now, well before that. You would be building alongside us through the application process itself, not waiting on the outcome to start.

Process:

• Initial interview (45 minutes)
• Case study (48 hours to complete), followed by a presentation
• Final terms conversation: equity, structure, and any remaining questions

How to Apply:
Send a short note about yourself and why this role interests you, along with your CV and LinkedIn.
Please include your graduation date and university.

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