Founder-in-Residence: Venture Building for High-Voltage Transmission Construction

About the Opportunity:

DSV is partnering with a major transatlantic utilities company to establish new ventures at the intersection of structural engineering, advanced manufacturing, and deployable energy infrastructure products. We are seeking entrepreneurial individuals with deep technical and commercial expertise to join our venture creation program as Founders-in-Residence. This is a unique opportunity to lead the development of a company poised to dramatically reduce the cost of high-voltage transmission construction through novel approaches to fragmentation and modularity.

The Problem:

Across the UK, US, and Europe, electricity transmission networks face unprecedented construction challenges. Existing methods for building transmission towers have remained largely unchanged for decades, leading to high costs associated with large fabricated sections, heavy transport, and expensive crane mobilizations. Foundations are often over-designed due to the cost of detailed geotechnical data. Incremental cost-reduction efforts are insufficient to meet the demands of decarbonization targets and grid expansion programs like the UK's ASTI program, which requires over £20B in new overhead line construction.

The Solution:

We believe the solution lies in fragmentation and modularity. By decomposing transmission towers into standardized, factory-produced modules small enough for conventional transport and light enough for assembly without heavy plant, we can enable rapid field connection by semi-skilled labor. This approach addresses not only direct construction costs but also cascading cost drivers like crane mobilization, road upgrades, and skilled labor shortages.

The Role:

As a Founder-in-Residence, you will work closely with DSV and the Partner's teams to spin out a new company. Your responsibilities will include refining the technical thesis for modular construction, developing IP strategy, defining the value proposition, formulating regulatory and fundraising strategies, and optimizing the company's path to Series A. You will prepare for Investment Committee review, recruit advisory and co-founding team members, and participate in fundraising.

Upon successful investment committee approval, you will receive pre-seed investment to spin out the company in Q4 2027. You and your co-founders will own a significant stake and receive ongoing support post-spinout.

What We're Looking For:

• Essential Engineering Depth: Expertise in modular structural systems, advanced connection technologies, lightweight/composite materials, foundation engineering, or automated/robotic construction.
• Essential Translational Execution: Experience across the full project lifecycle of large grid/energy infrastructure construction, navigating regulations, delivering prototypes/field trials, and venture creation or product leadership in construction technology, energy infrastructure, or deep-tech.
• Strongly Preferred Commercial Capability: Network in transmission operators/EPC contractors/utilities/investors, BD/customer development experience, fundraising experience, or previous founder/C-suite experience.
• Essential Values: Driven by energy infrastructure challenges, impact-driven, entrepreneurial spirit, first-principles thinking, ability to thrive in ambiguity, and collaborative nature.

Our Offer:

• Join a team of experienced operators and scientists.
• Access to proprietary venture creation tools, resources, and methodologies.
• Leverage DSV and the Partner's extensive network.
• Initial £250k (~$340k / €290k) investment for venture incorporation and proof-of-concept data.
• Majority equity stake for you and your co-founders.
• Minimum guaranteed income of £4,166 per month until company launch and pre-seed investment.
• Continuous support post-spinout (fundraising, partnerships, recruitment).
• Collaborative network of fellow Founders at DSV.

Location:

Remote initially until venture incorporation and spin-out (circa Q4 2027), with location to be determined post-spinout.

Company:

Deep Science Ventures (DSV)

About DSV:

Deep Science Ventures (DSV) is dedicated to creating a future where both humans and the planet thrive. We employ a unique venture creation process to build, spin out, and invest in science companies across Pharmaceuticals, Climate, Agriculture, and Computation.