Public Funding & Government Engagement Lead

About Us

Axelera AI is not your regular deep-tech startup. We are creating the next-generation AI platform to support anyone who wants to help advancing humanity and improve the world around us.

In just three years, we have raised a total of $120 million and have built a world-class team of 180+ employees (including 55+ PhDs with more than 40,000 citations), both remotely from 11 different countries and with offices in Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, headquartered at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

We have also launched our Metis™ AI Platform, which achieves a 3-5x increase in efficiency and performance, and have visibility into a strong business pipeline exceeding $100 million.

Our unwavering commitment to innovation has firmly established us as a global industry pioneer. 

Are you up for the challenge?

Position Overview

You will be responsible for securing strategic public funding and ensuring that Axelera AI maintains a strong presence in key industry discussions, government meetings, and funding negotiations.  

This role requires a STEM or Business Background with a Strong Cross-Disciplinary Affinity. You will not only drive funding acquisition but also contribute to shaping how Axelera AI positions itself within the broader AI and semiconductor landscape. Your insights will ensure we play to our strengths in securing funding, forming partnerships, and influencing policy. 

Beyond funding, you will be the key connector ensuring alignment across teams, making sure nothing falls through the cracks—from internal alignment to government negotiations,  all while earning trust across all levels. 

Key responsibilities:

Strategic Public Funding & Execution 

• Identify, apply for, and manage large-scale non-dilutive funding opportunities across national and European programs (e.g., large public-private funding initiatives such Joint Undertakings projects). 

• Drive the end-to-end funding lifecycle, from opportunity scouting to grant writing, financial structuring, and execution. 

• Ensure compliance and strategic alignment, making sure that funding opportunities support Axelera AI’s long-term business priorities. 

• Leverage funding to de-risk innovation, helping accelerate groundbreaking AI and semiconductor projects. 

• Own the submission process of public funding applications, ensuring that all required materials are collected, structured, and submitted on time. 

• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams, collecting relevant technical, financial, and strategic input to build compelling and well-supported funding proposals. 

• Position Axelera AI strategically within consortia, ensuring we take a leading role in joint funding initiatives. 

Government & Ecosystem Engagement 

• Ensure Axelera AI never misses a key meeting, discussion, or negotiation with governments, funding agencies, and ecosystem players. 

• Build and nurture relationships with policymakers, regulatory bodies, and industry leaders to position Axelera AI as a key voice in the AI and semiconductor space. 

• Monitor regulatory trends, advising leadership on policy developments and their potential impact. 

• Actively represent Axelera AI in public-private partnerships, consortia, and industry working groups. 

Cross-Team & Leadership Support 

• Work across finance, business, and R&D to ensure full internal alignment on funding and policy initiatives. 

• Support leadership in driving strategy execution, ensuring Axelera AI remains proactive in its funding and government relations approach. 

• Establish best practices and scalable processes for public funding, financial structuring, and stakeholder engagement. 

Qualifications:

• STEM or Business Background with a Strong Cross-Disciplinary Affinity – A degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Finance, Business, or Economics, with a strong ability to bridge technical, financial, and strategic considerations in public funding and innovation. 

• Funding Expertise – Experience in successfully securing and executing  large public grantsand managing the full funding lifecycle. 

• Strong Execution & Storytelling Skills – Experience in crafting compelling, well-supported funding proposals that align with the strategic positioning of the company. 

• Cross-Functional Influence – Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work across finance, R&D, business, and leadership teams. 

• Strategic & Detail-Oriented – Ability to see the big picture while managing the finer details of funding agreements, policy negotiations, and strategic positioning. 

• Resilience & Adaptability – A proactive, solutions-driven mindset, comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast-paced scale-up environment. 

• Ecosystem Knowledge – Understanding of Europe’s AI and semiconductor landscape, including funding mechanisms and policy frameworks. 

• Language knowledge: Dutch - Fluency in word and writing in Dutch is a Mandatory skill qualification for this role

Location

We offer a flexible working arrangement with a European scope: The role will be ideally based in our Leuven or Eindhoven office. Remote work within Europe is possible for candidates with the relevant expertise and a willingness to travel to strategic locations. Relocation to Italy (Florence, Milan) can also be accommodated.

What we offer 

This is your chance to shape and be part of a dynamic, fast-growing, international organization. We offer an attractive compensation package, including a pension plan, extensive employee insurances and the option to get company shares.   

An open culture that supports creativity and continual innovation is awaiting you. Collaborative ownership and freedom with responsibility is characteristic for the way we act and work as a team. 

At Axelera AI, we wholeheartedly embrace equal opportunity and hold diversity in the highest regard. Our steadfast commitment is to cultivate a warm and inclusive environment that empowers and celebrates every member of our team. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to join us in shaping the future of AI.