Co-founder CEO H/F

Co-founder & CEO - Build a Company with OSS Ventures (Paris) At OSS Ventures we're looking for a Sales Co-Founder to join one of our future ventures. About OSS Ventures OSS Ventures is an industrial-focused venture platform. We build and invest in vertical companies transforming industrial operations through software and AI. Backed by >50M€ in assets under management, OSS supports 22+ companies whose products are used daily by over 100.000+ users in 3.600+ factories. We co-found companies with experienced founders and support them hands-on across: Product Go-to-market Technology Hiring & org design Fundraising OSS is neither an incubator nor a passive investor. We work side by side with founders, with a clear execution framework, direct access to an industrial customer network, and a team of operators who have already built and scaled companies. You can find more context on the team and partners here: https://www.oss.ventures/about-us The Role You are joining as Co-founder & CEO of a new company built with OSS. Your responsibilities include: Defining the company’s vision and strategic direction Leading go-to-market execution and securing early customers Owning revenue, positioning and early traction Building and leading the founding team Setting execution standards, culture and operating cadence Preparing and leading fundraising with OSS support This is a founder role, not a management position. You lead the company. OSS partners with you on execution and support. What Makes This Setup Different You are not starting alone. With OSS, founders benefit from: Direct access to an industrial and operational network Real customers Fast feedback loops Early distribution and concrete use cases A hands-on operating team Product, tech, revenue, people and fundraising Reusable execution foundations Product and tech frameworks Go-to-market playbooks Security and scalability baselines Founder matchmaking OSS actively pairs complementary CEO and CTO profiles Credibility from day one With customers With early-stage investors The objective is to reduce early execution risk and help founders focus on building something that actually works in the real world. What Success Looks Like (9–12 months) Together, the goal is to build a company that is ready to scale, with: 5–10 paying customers ~500k+ ARR or equivalent signed revenue A product in production, used by real users Clear customer satisfaction signals A repeatable go-to-market motion A team and org structure ready for growth After the Program OSS remains a long-term partner. This typically includes: Board-level involvement Ad hoc strategic support The ability to temporarily allocate OSS team members for focused deep work with founders (e.g. revenue architecture, product pivot, org design, or other specific challenges) The level of involvement naturally evolves as the company scales. Founder Profile — Minimum Experience This role is designed for experienced operators who are ready to found a company. CEO requirements 8+ years in complex B2B environments SaaS, industrial or operational contexts 5+ years in leadership roles Managing teams or business units Exposure to revenue, customers and execution trade-offs Demonstrated ability to: Drive early go-to-market Make decisions under constraints Lead through ambiguity and rapid iteration We are not looking for first-time managers discovering leadership for the first time. The OSS Deal Unpaid until first fundraising Typically 12 to 18 months Equity split 75% founders 25% OSS Ventures Paris-based during the 9-month program Full commitment expected This framework is explicit and designed for founders who are ready to fully commit to building a company from scratch. Selection Process The process is designed to ensure clarity and alignment on both sides. Your Questions, Answered with our People team (20 min) Clarify the framework, the deal, and the conditions. Discovery Meeting with our CEO An informal meeting — coffee or breakfast. Introduction to the ventures we're building and how OSS supports founders. Getting to Know Each Other with our People team An open conversation about your professional journey so far — your failures, what you learned. Business Case — Sales with our Chief Revenue Officer Focus on execution depth, GTM, leadership and decision-making. Business Case — BP with our Investment Director (1h) Presentation of a business plan — market understanding, revenue model, execution roadmap. Check-in with our People team A second, lighter conversation: how the process has felt so far, what's come up for you. Term Sheet Presentation with our Investment Director We share the indicative economic terms of the collaboration before asking you to commit. Reference Checks with our Chief Revenue Officer We ask for several references, and we put you in touch with founders from our portfolio. GO / NO GO Final decision, made with the OSS Partnership. Discovery & Choice of Space (up to 1 week) Time for reflection before commitment. The term sheet is signed the day we agree on your start date together — not a separate, later formality. How to Apply Apply if — and only if — this setup aligns with your experience, constraints and ambition. Your application should include: Your CV A short explanation of: Why you want to build with OSS What you have built or led before What type of company you want to create This is not the ideal position for you if: You are looking for a salaried position or short-term security You are not in a position to commit full-time for 12–18 months without salary You prefer a loosely structured environment or minimal accountability You are uncomfortable making decisions with incomplete information You are not ready to take full ownership of outcomes as a founder This role is designed for founders who are intentionally choosing a demanding path, with clear trade-offs and long-term ambition.