Startup Innovation Lead

Lely, founded in 1948, is committed to a sustainable, profitable, and enjoyable future in the agricultural sector. With the farmer’s challenges and the cow’s needs at the center, we develop high-quality robots and data systems that enhance animal welfare, flexibility, and productivity on dairy farms. Our goal is to support sustainable food production.

For over 30 years, we have been a global leader in the sales and service of automated systems to successive generations of dairy farmers. Every day, we inspire our colleagues to offer customers innovative solutions and to be a trusted partner for long-term advice and support. With our state-of-the-art Lely Campus in Maassluis and a global network of dedicated Lely Centers for tailored sales and service, Lely operates in more than fifty countries.

At Lely, a global leader in innovative solutions for the agricultural sector, we are committed to accelerating sustainable progress. As part of the Business Development team, the startup team, together with the sustainability team, drives Lely’s Impact 30 vision. The startup team is responsible for scouting and developing partnerships with startups worldwide that offer promising technologies or propositions aligned with Lely’s strategic goals. The team drives Lely's innovation ambitions through external partnerships.

As a startup innovation lead, you will work closely with the head of startup innovation to identify, scout, and develop partnerships with promising startups that support Lely’s strategic objectives. This is a highly independent role requiring strong organizational sensitivity. Internally, you act as the central figure connecting startups to relevant Lely stakeholders. Externally, you represent Lely’s corporate venturing arm to startups and co-investors. You play a pivotal role in setting up pilots and strategic cooperations, maintaining relationships with innovative companies in the agricultural sector, and evaluating investment opportunities. Additionally, you ensure internal alignment with business teams, competences, and other stakeholders to drive ongoing startup projects. This role has a strong international focus, requiring regular travel.

Your responsibilities

• Startup scouting: Proactively search for and evaluate startups relevant to Lely’s strategy, identify market trends and technologies, and maintain dealflow records in relevant systems.
• Relationship and portfolio management: Build and maintain relationships with startups, foster a network within startup ecosystems (e.g., incubators and accelerators), and manage and support a portfolio of startups through monitoring their performance and providing strategic advice.
• Pilot setup: Collaborate with internal teams to initiate pilot projects with selected startups and coordinate their implementation and progress.
• Internal alignment: Ensure alignment with business teams, competences, and other stakeholders on ongoing startup projects, and facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration across departments.
• Investment evaluation: Assess investment proposals, conduct due diligence processes, and prepare financial analyses and business cases.
• Reporting and analysis: Prepare reports on the progress of partnerships, pilots, and investments, and provide recommendations for further actions.
• Network development: Actively participate in relevant networking events, conferences, and meetings to identify new opportunities and build relationships with venture capitalists and other investment partners.

• HBO/WO degree in a relevant field (e.g., business administration, innovation management, or similar).
• 7-8 years of experience in venturing, preferably with an affinity in tech or agri.
• Strong communication skills, capable of representing Lely and pitching why a specific innovation aligns with Lely’s strategy.
• Organizational sensitivity and excellent stakeholder management skills at all levels (including EB & Director level), both formal and informal.
• Process-oriented, with the ability to build and manage structured processes.
• Passion for the agricultural sector and a high degree of independence.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

Working at Lely means contributing to sustainable progress within one of the most innovative organizations in the Netherlands. You help make the agricultural sector future-proof – and we ensure you have the space, resources, and support to do so.

• An international work environment with room for initiative and entrepreneurship.
• Excellent employment conditions, including up to 8 weeks of vacation per year and a solid pension scheme.
• Strong growth opportunities: you are in control of your development and can choose from various training programs via our Lely Academy – ranging from personal development to job-specific courses.
• Our modern Lely Campus offers daily access to extensive sports facilities: an indoor gym, outdoor padel courts, basketball and volleyball courts, table tennis, and foosball. You can join Hyrox workouts or sign up for personal training – and challenge your colleagues during an active break.
• Enjoy fresh coffee and tea from our in-house barista, with milk straight from our own farm, and a healthy, affordable company restaurant.
• A healthy work-life balance thanks to our hybrid work policy: you work at least three days a week on campus, with flexible hours and plenty of opportunity to spend extra time on-site (between 06:00 and 20:00).
• A free shuttle bus takes you to and from the metro station in Maassluis, ensuring your workday starts and ends smoothly.
• Successes are meant to be celebrated: from anniversaries to Christmas parties – at Lely, we know how to do it right!

Recruitment & selection agencies, consultancies, and/or temp agencies

We appreciate your interest, but we recruit all our candidates directly. We understand that, as an intermediary, you may want to introduce candidates for our exciting roles and contribute to our ambitions, but this is not how we’ve structured our recruitment process. This means that all unsolicited profiles submitted for Lely vacancies will be treated as direct applications.