About the role

Help build Europe’s strongest defence technology community.

17Tech is building a new generation of European defence technology companies—and a connected, ambitious and sovereign European defence tech ecosystem.

We’re looking for a proactive Community & Ecosystem Associate, ideally nearing completion of a Master’s degree with some relevant experience. This part-time role offers close exposure to venture capital, startups, accelerators and defence technology.

What you will do

Build the 17Tech community

Develop and manage the 17Tech Family of accelerator companies and alumni.
Build relationships with founders, investors, defence professionals, academics and other experts.
Identify people and organisations that should join the ecosystem.
Keep the community active, engaged and mutually supportive.
Organise events, founder sessions and expert discussions.

Build the 17Tech contributor network

Build a network of experts who can actively help 17Tech companies.
Find contributors for fundraising, procurement, customer introductions, hiring, engineering, manufacturing, exports and military expertise.
Match the right experts to portfolio companies’ needs.

Build partnerships and benefits

Develop a Partner & Perks Network for portfolio companies.
Build partnerships across cloud, software, legal, recruitment, manufacturing, testing, insurance and other services.

Build the 17Tech talent network

Coordinate open roles across portfolio companies.
Build relationships with universities and student communities.
Connect talent with portfolio companies and develop referrals.

Develop the community infrastructure

Choose and manage community tools, platforms and CRM systems.
Automate communications and workflows, and track engagement.
Use AI to make community management more scalable.

What we’re looking for

Nearing completion of a Master’s in business, economics, technology, engineering or a related field.
Relevant experience in a startup, VC, consulting, technology, accelerator, university or community role.
Strong interest in startups, venture capital, defence technology and European security.
Confident with technology and modern digital tools.
A strong communicator and natural relationship-builder.
Organised, independent and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
Confident reaching out to new people and starting conversations.
Commercially minded, proactive and entrepreneurial.

Technical skills

Useful skills include:

AI tools and automation
CRM and community platforms (e.g. Slack, Discord), Google Workspace
Data analysis and spreadsheets
No-code / low-code tools
Social media and digital communication

You don’t need to be a software engineer, just someone who looks for smarter, more automated ways to work.

What you will get

Work directly with 17Tech’s founding team and ambitious defence tech founders.
Gain hands-on exposure to venture capital, startup investing and accelerator operations.
Build a network across Europe’s defence, technology and VC ecosystems.
Own initiatives and experiment with AI and new approaches to community building.
The role can grow as 17Tech develops.

Time commitment & location

Approximately 15–20 hours per week, with flexibility around studies and other commitments. We value ownership and consistent progress.

Espoo / hybrid, with some travel and participation in 17Tech events.

Potential growth of the role

The role could grow into a full-time Community Lead / Ecosystem position covering community strategy, international growth, events, partnerships, talent and infrastructure.

The person we’re looking for

Smart, curious, proactive, tech-savvy, socially confident and commercially minded.

We care less about a perfect CV than genuine enthusiasm for building a strong, sovereign European defence tech ecosystem.

Recruitment process

CV and short motivation letter.
30-minute interview with shortlisted candidates.
A practical exercise for 2–3 finalists: prepare a 5-minute outline of how you’d build the community in your first 90 days. Please spend no more than one hour on it.

17Tech – Building Europe’s sovereign defence technology ecosystem.

[ How to apply ]

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We use application data only for this recruitment process. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Alternatively, send your CV and cover letter by email.

Apply by email

Or copy the address: careers@17tech.fi

We use application data only for this recruitment process.

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