Startup Founder & CEO

About DQventures

DQventures supports experienced professionals who want to build a company without immediately walking away from a stable career. The team is made up of former founders and investors who have already created and exited several businesses, with outcomes reaching as high as $85m. Their product, strategy, and go-to-market specialists work closely with selected founders to validate ideas, win early customers, and turn an initial concept into an operating business.

Role overview

This opportunity is for a founder and CEO to launch a new B2B venture on a fully remote basis. The role begins as part-time and equity-only. After the business reaches enough revenue or funding to sustain salaries, it can move into a full-time position with a market-rate founder salary. DQventures will cover the working capital needed to validate, build, and launch the business during the early stage.

What you will do

• Lead the initial research phase by speaking with users and collecting market feedback to confirm the problem and shape the solution.
• Study competitors to uncover market gaps, points of differentiation, and positioning opportunities.
• Build and release the first version of the business, with support from the venture-building team, using a service-based, no-code, or tech-enabled approach to test demand.
• Handle early sales activity, including pitching, closing, and onboarding the first paying customers.
• Move quickly on feedback and results to improve the offer, pricing, and business model.
• Seek external funding when needed, with help to refine the pitch and connect with suitable investors.
• Dedicate at least 12 hours each week, with room to increase time commitment as traction grows.
• Participate in weekly one-to-one calls with the venture-building team for planning, strategy, and operational support.
• Take complete ownership of the company’s direction, decisions, and long-term outcomes.

Who this is for

DQventures is looking for an experienced professional with a business idea in their own area of expertise. The ideal person has seen an inefficient process in their industry and wants to create a solution that customers will pay for.

Ideal background

• At least 15 years of professional or leadership experience.
• Deep knowledge of a specific function or industry.
• A demonstrated record of delivering complex work or launching new initiatives.
• Previous exposure to sales, partnerships, or business development is a strong advantage.
• Experience in product management, operations, or service design is also beneficial.
• A strong network within the relevant industry.

Compensation and support

• 80% equity ownership, making you the majority owner from the outset.
• Full funding for validation and launch, including the working capital required to build and grow the venture.
• Hands-on support from a seasoned co-founding team of founders, investors, and operators with startup exit experience.
• Weekly personalized venture-building guidance covering strategy, product, and go-to-market execution.
• The ability to keep your current job while building the business part-time until it can support a full-time founder salary.
• Access to a global founder network of professionals building DQ-backed ventures.
• Fundraising assistance, including pitch preparation, introductions to early-stage investors, and legal support when needed.

Important dates

Three founders will be selected to begin in August 2026. Applications close on July 15, 2026, and interviews are already in progress.