SouthwestX

CEO / Business Co-Founder (f/m/d) role at startup PEELBACK

Saarbrücken full-time Mid Salary not listed
full-time Mid level Technology & IT Curated
Sign in to apply Free account — we bring you straight back to this role.

About the role

PEELBACK

Berlin, Germany | On-site | Co-Founder / Equity | Deep Tech / Battery Recycling & Circular Economy

About PeelBack

PeelBack recovers battery-grade metals from black mass using a froth flotation process — no acid, no smelting. Developed by Dr. Anna Maria Dominic (PhD Physical Chemistry, TU Dresden) as solo technical founder, the process already reaches 95–99% purity at TRL 3–4 and is co-filing a next-generation patent with Dr. John Warner (US 9,972,830 B2).

**The opportunity

**With the EU's 2026 battery-recycling deadline creating real urgency, PeelBack needs to move from lab validation to pilot scale fast. As sole technical founder, Anna Maria is looking for a CEO / Business co-founder to lead fundraising and business development while she pushes the technology from TRL 4 towards TRL 5 (Boston lab visit planned).

Tasks

**What you will own

Company build-up & fundraising

**- Lead incorporation (GmbH planned) and fundraising strategy, building on the non-dilutive greenCHEM Cohort #1 stipend already secured.

- Own investor relations and prepare PeelBack for its next funding round ahead of the EU battery-recycling deadline (Nov 2026).

**Business development

**- Convert existing interest into signed LOIs and pilot agreements with EU recyclers and battery manufacturers.

- Own commercial strategy as PeelBack moves from pre-pilot validation to recycler-scale proof.

Operations & partnerships

- Build the operational and commercial foundation of the company alongside Anna Maria Dominic (CTO/technical founder).

Requirements

**What you bring

Core experience

**- Business development and fundraising experience, ideally in deep-tech, climate-tech or industrial/circular-economy startups.

- Comfort working against a hard regulatory deadline (EU battery regulation, Nov 2026) and translating technical validation into commercial traction.

**Especially valuable

**- Existing network among EU recyclers, battery manufacturers or materials-recovery buyers.

- Experience with accelerator/incubator environments (PeelBack has been through two startup accelerators).

- Familiarity with IP-heavy, patent-protected deep-tech ventures.

Benefits

Why join PeelBack

- A technology already validated at 95–99% purity, with a next-gen patent co-filed with a recognized green chemistry expert (Dr. John Warner).

- Real regulatory tailwind: the EU 2026 deadline makes PeelBack's solution urgent, not speculative.

- Founder equity: an indicative ~50% co-founder stake has already been discussed, to be finalized in the term sheet.

PeelBack welcomes co-founder candidates regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, sexual identity, or any other characteristic. This is a search for the right partner to build the company with, not a conventional hire.

Find Jobs in Germany on Arbeitnow

Interview prep

Walk in with sharper answers.

Use this as a quick practice sheet before you speak with the employer.

Mid
Technology & IT Business Development CSS Operations Ceo Business Mid level

Likely questions

  1. Tell us about work you have done that is close to the CEO / Business Co-Founder (f/m/d) role at startup PEELBACK role.
  2. How would you approach your first 30 days at SouthwestX?
  3. Which of Business Development, CSS and Operations have you used recently, and what did it help you achieve?
  4. Describe a time you solved a problem without waiting to be told exactly what to do.
  5. How do you handle busy days, changing priorities, or pressure at work?

Prepare before the call

  • A recent example that proves your experience with Business Development, CSS and Operations.
  • One short story with a problem, your action, and the result.
  • Two examples that show the strengths listed on your CV.
  • A clear reason why this role and company interest you.
  • Your availability, preferred work style, and salary expectations.

Ask them

  • What would success look like in the first 90 days?
  • What are the main problems this hire should help solve?
  • How does the team give feedback and measure good work?
  • What does a normal working week look like for this role?
Practice line

I am interested in the CEO / Business Co-Founder (f/m/d) role at startup PEELBACK role because I can bring practical experience in Business Development, CSS and Operations, learn the team quickly, and contribute to the outcomes SouthwestX needs from this hire.

Related jobs.

More roles from this company or category.