DQventures
Startup Founder & CEO

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Startup Founder & CEO
About DQventures
We know that for experienced professionals, it’s often not possible to just quit your job and try to launch your own business. You probably have a mortgage, a family, and responsibilities that need a steady paycheck. That’s where we come in to de-risk that transition.
DQventures is a team of former startup founders and investors, who have built and sold multiple businesses for up to $85m. Our in-house entrepreneurs, product leaders and go-to-market specialists work full time to help experienced professionals like you make the transition from corporate employee to successful entrepreneur. Acting as co-founders, we work alongside you to validate your business idea, get your first customers, and launch a real company.
The Role
📍 Location: Fully remote.
We are seeking a founder & CEO for a new B2B business.
This is a part-time, equity-only role to begin with. Once the business generates sufficient revenue or funding to support salaries, the position will transition into a full-time role with a market-rate founder salary. In the meantime, all working capital required to build and launch the business will be provided by DQventures.
Responsibilities
- Drive the early-stage research process — conduct user interviews and gather market insights to validate the problem and shape the solution
- Perform competitor analysis to identify gaps, differentiators, and positioning opportunities
- Define and deliver the first version of the business (with support from our team) — whether service-led, no-code, or tech-enabled — to test real customer demand
- Lead early sales efforts — pitch, sell, and onboard your first paying customers
- Iterate fast — use feedback and performance data to refine the offer, pricing, and business model
- If needed, raise funding — we’ll help you prepare, refine your pitch, and introduce you to relevant investors
- Commit a minimum of 12 hours per week, with flexibility to scale up as the business gains traction
- Join weekly 1:1 calls with our venture-building team for strategy, planning, and support
- Own the outcome — take full accountability for the company’s direction, decisions, and long-term success
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About You
We are seeking an experienced professional with at least 15 years work experience with a business idea in their area of expertise.
You’ve identified something in your industry that is currently being done inefficiently, and want to solve that problem by creating a solution you believe people are willing to pay for.
We’re particularly interested in someone who has:
- 15+ years of experience in a professional or leadership role
- Domain expertise in a specific sector or function
- Proven track record of executing complex projects or launching new initiatives
- Experience in sales, partnerships, or business development (a strong plus)
- Experience in product management, operations, or service design (a plus)
- A strong professional network in your industry


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What we offer
- 80% equity in the company – you’ll be the majority owner from day one
- Fully funded validation and launch – we provide all working capital needed to build and grow the business
- A world-class co-founding team – hands-on support from experienced founders, investors, and operators who’ve built and exited startups
- Personalised 1:1 venture-building support – we work alongside you every week, helping with strategy, product and GTM.
- No need to quit your job (yet) – build your startup part-time until it’s ready to pay you a full-time founder salary
- Access to our global founder network – connect with other high-performing professionals building their own DQ-backed ventures
- Fundraising support – we help you prepare your pitch, introduce you to early-stage investors, and handle the legal side when the time comes
Apply Now – Limited Spots Available
We’re selecting 3 new founders to start in September 2026. If you have a business idea in your domain, apply by July 31, 2026. Interviews are underway.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
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