Start Up Program Manager

Aiven • Austin, TX

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

We’re a global team of over 400 people, working together to push the boundaries of open-source technology and multi-cloud solutions. Our vision is to help developers, builders, and creators bring their ideas to life with speed and simplicity, by providing a cloud data platform that makes open-source databases, search, streaming, and application infrastructure easily accessible to everyone. The Role: The US market represents a big growth opportunity for Aiven and Aiven for Startups. Today, we support US startups- but without a dedicated ecosystem lead on the ground. If you have spent the last 2–3 years working inside the startup ecosystem- in an accelerator, startup community, VC platform team, or startup event organization- you’ve learned how ecosystems move, how founders think, and how relationships compound. At Aiven, we’re offering you the opportunity to turn that ecosystem access into structured growth. Together with the Aiven for Startups team you will build the engine behind Aiven for Startups in the US. You will join the Aiven for Startups team within the Office of the CEO, working closely with the Sustainability & Startup Program Lead (Paris), the Startup Program Manager (Helsinki), the VP of Corporate Development and the US Go-To-Market team. This is a highly visible role. You will operate at the intersection of ecosystem building, operational execution, and strategic expansion.

Requirements

• 2–3 years of experience within the startup ecosystem
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Strong relationship-building skills and confidence engaging founders and investors
• Operational rigor and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams simultaneously
• Comfort working with data and performance metrics
• Clear and professional communication skills

Nice To Haves

• Deep interest in AI, data infrastructure, or open-source technologies
• Existing network in the Austin or broader US startup ecosystem
• Comfort operating in highly visible, executive-facing environments

Responsibilities

• Build and nurture relationships with ecosystem players in the US
• Develop referral pipelines with VCs and community leaders to increase high-quality startup applications
• Manage the full startup lifecycle: from application screening and eligibility assessment to onboarding and graduation
• Lead founder conversations to assess fit and long-term potential
• Track engagement, credit usage, and expansion signals within your portfolio
• Apply and refine the existing Aiven for Startups playbook for the US market
• Identify process improvements to increase program scalability and efficiency

Benefits

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
• Balance work and life with our hybrid work policy.
• Choose the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
• Use your Professional Development Plan budget for learning opportunities.
• Receive holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.
• Inquire about our Global Time Off Commitment (Parental and Sick Leave, as well as Personal Time)
• Enjoy country-specific benefits for our global cast.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level