Business Development Lead
Lead business development for Snowflake Startups, focusing on building relationships with AI-native founders, prioritizing high-potential startups, driving adoption of Snowflake and Cortex AI products, and coordinating with cross-functional teams for growth and ecosystem programs. Requires 8+ years in BD/partnerships/VC, deep AI ecosystem knowledge, and strong networks.
About the job
Key Responsibilities
- Build relationships with high-priority AI-native startups through direct outreach, partner referrals, events, and networking.
- Prioritize the startup landscape by maintaining a categorized list of Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies based on strategic importance, funding, and AI/ML trends.
- Drive growth, adoption, and partnerships on Snowflake, focusing ~80% on Tier 1 startups, facilitating executive introductions, supporting go-to-market efforts, and promoting Cortex AI products.
- Build demand generation and ecosystem visibility by recommending events, sponsorships, workshops, PR initiatives, and scaled programs.
- Measure outcomes and report progress on startup acquisitions, commitments, consumption, and engagement metrics; collaborate with Finance and Sales Operations for accurate tracking.
Qualifications
- 8+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, startup ecosystem development, venture capital, corporate venture, GTM, cloud technology, AI/ML, or related field.
- Proven experience supporting high-growth startups, with preference for startup operating experience or close work with founders.
- Strong understanding of the AI technology stack, AI startup ecosystem, venture funding trends, cloud/data platform adoption, and key AI product trends.
- Established network across startup founders, VC firms, accelerators, enterprise tech leaders, and partners.
- Ability to translate Snowflake capabilities into startup value propositions (product adoption, customer access, GTM support, workload growth).
- Strong executive presence, communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Founder empathy, strong judgment balancing startup needs with business priorities.
- Comfort with ambiguity in a fast-paced environment; data-oriented with ability to define metrics and track outcomes.
What Success Looks Like in 12 Months
- Built credible relationships with top VC firms and ecosystem partners for high-priority AI-native startup connections.
- Created meaningful engagements with top-tier AI startup founders and repeatable paths for Snowflake adoption.
- Led or supported scaled events and programs driving quality engagements and follow-up.
- Demonstrated innovative ideas for campaigns, events, or BD programs addressing tech trends or startup needs.
- Created trusted operating rhythm with Sales, Marketing, Product, AI Partnerships, Ventures, Solutions Engineering, Finance, and Sales Operations.
Skills
Business Development, Partnerships, Startup Ecosystem, Venture Capital, AI/ML, Cloud Technology, Go-to-Market Strategy, Cortex Ai, Data Platforms, Executive Engagement, Metrics Tracking
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