(Senior) Associate - Bioeconomy @ FoodLabs, Investment Team, Berlin

About FoodLabs

FoodLabs is a leading European early-stage VC and venture studio on a mission to build a healthier, more sustainable food system — and beyond.

We invest in and co-found startups from day zero across food, health, climate, and the bioeconomy. From new protein sources to sustainable supply chains and biotech-enabled solutions, we partner with bold, science-driven founders shaping the future of how we eat and live.

Our portfolio includes some of Europe’s most ambitious early-stage ventures — such as Formo, Project Eaden, MicroHarvest, and Mycolever — and we are actively expanding our presence across emerging domains like synthetic biology, and agri-biotech.

At FoodLabs, we go beyond capital. We bring deep sector knowledge, operational support, and a builder mindset to help ventures scale from idea to impact.

Why this role matters

The bioeconomy is redefining how we grow, make, and consume — and it's happening fast. At FoodLabs, we believe biology will drive the next industrial revolution. We’re looking for someone to help us lead it.

This role is about sourcing and winning the most exciting early-stage bioeconomy deals in Europe. You’ll work at the intersection of science, market, and mission — helping us find breakthrough founders, define our thesis, and push investments across the finish line.

You’ll be part of a tight-knit investment team, and you’ll help expand our presence in synthetic biology, precision fermentation, industrial biotech, soil and crop innovation, and more.

This isn’t a paper-pushing job. It’s about ownership, hustle, and conviction.

What drives this role

• Identify and win high-potential pre-seed and seed investments across the bioeconomy

• Help define and continuously evolve our investment thesis in the space — from white space analysis to market mapping

• Build strong relationships with scientific and technical founders early on — and help them sharpen their story, roadmap, and strategy

• Drive early-stage deal execution, from first meeting to investment memo, due diligence, and closing

• Stay close to labs, incubators, university spinouts, and early startup communities — and know what’s coming before it’s hot

• Support portfolio companies post-investment: intros, strategic advice, fundraising, product, and market entry
  

What it takes to be successful

We’re looking for someone with sharp analytical thinking and real founder empathy — ideally someone who knows how hard it is to build in biotech and still can’t imagine doing anything else.

You might have...

• Built or worked in a biotech, bio-based, or deep tech startup

• A background in biochemistry, synthetic biology, molecular biology, or bioengineering

• Experience with early-stage VC, startup scouting, or commercialization of scientific IP

• Spent time in a high-calibre academic or industrial lab setting working across disciplines

You definitely need to be...

• A natural deal hunter — curious, proactive, commercially-minded

• Able to bridge science and strategy — translating deep tech into sharp investment cases

• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, moving quickly, and working independently

• Confident communicator — written and verbal — with founders, teams, and IC members

• Energized by startups, breakthroughs, and building from zero

What you can expect at FoodLabs

• A front-row seat in early-stage venture — and the chance to lead on real deals

• Deep exposure to scientific innovation, future trends, and high-impact tech

• A team that values intellectual honesty, speed, and trust

• Direct access to our network of founders, researchers, investors, and co-investors

• The ability to shape the future of one of Europe’s most focused deep-tech + sustainability fund