Ecosystem Developer (Kenya based)

ABOUT US

As one of the largest entrepreneurship networks globally, Bridge for Billions creates, designs, and manages entrepreneurship programs with foundations, corporations, and public entities that have benefited more than 6,000 entrepreneurs in more than 100 countries. We exist to enable more early-stage entrepreneurs of all kinds to thrive, generating jobs and solutions for everyone, so our economies sustainably meet the needs of all.

Recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Ashoka, and Acumen, Bridge for Billions has worked with more than 100 organizations such as Coca-Cola, Novartis, VISA, and institutions like the United Nations or IDB Lab. In just 10 years, we’ve grown to a team of 50+ people from nearly 20 nationalities, headquartered in Madrid, with regional offices in Guatemala City and Nairobi.

JOB MISSION

The Ecosystem Developer for Africa plays a key role in strengthening Bridge for Billions’ presence and impact across the African entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Bridge is increasingly focused on strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, not only supporting individual entrepreneurs. 

By working closely with Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs), mentors, strategic partners, sponsors, and other ecosystem actors, we aim to create the conditions for systemic change — helping ecosystems become stronger, more connected, and better equipped to support entrepreneurs at scale.

A key way we do this is through ecosystem programs such as Conecta, which bring together ESOs, partners, and resources. As Ecosystem Developer, you will be responsible for making these programs possible in your region: building and converting the pipeline of ESOs that participate, generating qualified opportunities for Bridge’s revenue team, securing ecosystem partnerships and sponsorships, and co-organizing the Conecta Summit and other ecosystem events.

This is a hands-on, growth-oriented role for someone who combines strong relationship-building skills with a hunter mindset and execution discipline. You are expected to turn ecosystem relationships into measurable outcomes, maintain clean pipelines and structured follow-up, and represent Bridge externally with credibility.

ROLES & CONTRIBUTIONS

1. ESO Membership Development & Conversion — 30%

• Leverage local networks and sourcing efforts to map and identify high-potential Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs) in priority countries.
• Manage the qualification, application, and conversion process for Conecta Africa.
• Build and run a clean pipeline of prospects and renewals across every stage, with CRM information clear and actionable enough for others to understand without additional context.
• Develop structured follow-up and nurturing strategies to move prospective and renewing ESOs through the pipeline.
• Achieve the annual target for new paying ESO members and ESO revenue generated.

2. Qualified Sales Lead Generation — 30%

• Generate and qualify Sales Qualified Leads (SQLs) through ecosystem engagement, events, media, referrals, and partner amplification. 
• Identify organizations and opportunities with potential to become institutional partners or clients of Bridge. 
• Qualify opportunities before handover, ensuring that needs, context, stakeholders, and relevant information are clearly captured. 
• Hand validated leads to the Revenue team with clean qualification context so opportunities can progress without stalling at the handoff. 
• Achieve set targets for SQLs generated per semester across target markets.

3. Event Sponsorships & Ecosystem Opportunities — 20%

• Identify and secure sponsors and co-funders for the annual Conecta Summit and other national or regional ecosystem events. 
• Co-organize the Conecta Summit, including partner and guest coordination, logistics, ecosystem engagement, and on-the-ground execution. 
• Leverage Bridge-led events as pipeline-generation and relationship-building opportunities for the broader team. 
• Secure speaking, panel, and visibility opportunities for Bridge at relevant external events. 
• Represent Bridge credibly at conferences, summits, ecosystem gatherings, and other strategic external spaces.

4. Ecosystem Partnerships & Value Creation — 20%

• Identify and qualify Partnership Qualified Leads (PQLs) across target markets. 
• Secure partnerships that deliver tangible value for ESOs, entrepreneurs, and alumni — including mentors, market access, funding pathways, visibility opportunities, and perks. 
• Screen potential partnerships for strategic and mission alignment before investing significant time and resources. 
• Build and manage a clean partnership pipeline, with progression, commitments, and outcomes consistently tracked in the CRM. 
• Achieve set targets for partnerships secured and measurable value delivered into the ecosystem.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED 

WHAT YOU BRING

We’re not only looking for someone relational and ecosystem-oriented — we’re looking for someone who can turn relationships into concrete outcomes. 

You understand how entrepreneurship ecosystems work, know how to navigate different stakeholders, and are energized by building connections that create tangible value. At the same time, you are comfortable working toward targets, managing pipelines, following up consistently, and being accountable for measurable results. 

You are mission-driven and believe entrepreneurship can be a force for good, particularly when stronger, more connected local ecosystems support entrepreneurs.

Core experience and track record

We believe the best work happens when there’s a strong match between what drives you and what we’re building together. This role is more than a job: it's an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a mission you care about. Here’s what matters most to us: 

• Experience: 3–6 years in business development, partnerships, ecosystem development, entrepreneurship support, or related roles. 
• Ecosystem Knowledge: Strong understanding of entrepreneurship ecosystems and how ESOs, entrepreneurs, funders, corporations, public institutions, mentors, and other actors interact. 
• Pipeline Management: Experience managing structured pipelines and follow-up processes, ideally using a CRM. 
• Event Management: Experience co-organizing and hosting large-scale ecosystem events such as summits, ecosystem days, conferences, or similar gatherings, including logistics, guest coordination, and on-the-ground execution. 
• External Representation: Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to represent Bridge credibly with different ecosystem stakeholders. 
• Revenue Orientation: Comfortable working toward commercial and ecosystem targets and understanding how ecosystem development contributes to sustainable revenue and organizational growth.

Core Competencies

• Ecosystem Prospecting & Qualification: You can map an ecosystem, identify high-potential organizations, prioritize opportunities, and determine where Bridge should invest its time. 
• Hunter Mindset: You are proactive and comfortable with outreach, opening new relationships, following up consistently, and turning informal connections into structured pipeline opportunities. 
• CRM Discipline: You maintain accurate, actionable records and understand the importance of clean pipeline stages, notes, next steps, and reporting. 
• Relationship Development & Nurturing: You know how to build trust over time while maintaining enough structure and momentum to move relationships toward concrete outcomes. 
• Lead Qualification & Handover: You can recognize a strong commercial opportunity, gather the right context, and hand it to the Revenue team in a way that enables effective follow-through. 
• Partnership Development: You can identify mutually beneficial opportunities and translate relationships into partnerships that generate measurable ecosystem value. 
• Event Execution: You can help take an ecosystem event from planning through execution while using it strategically to strengthen relationships and generate opportunities. 
• Communications & Positioning: You have a basic understanding of communications, media dynamics, and content positioning in ecosystem spaces.

Leadership & Mindset

• Results-Oriented: Energized by targets, KPIs, and translating ecosystem activity into measurable outcomes. 
• Proactive & Resourceful: Comfortable creating opportunities rather than waiting for them to emerge. 
• Relationship-Driven: Able to build trusted relationships across different types of organizations, cultures, and seniority levels. 
• Execution-Focused: Comfortable moving between relationship building, CRM management, events, outreach, and follow-up. 
• Collaborative Communicator: Keeps relevant stakeholders informed and works effectively across Ecosystem, Revenue, Programs, and Communications teams.
• Purpose-Led: Believes in entrepreneurship as a force for good and wants to strengthen the organizations and ecosystems that enable entrepreneurs to thrive

Nice to have 

• Existing relationships within the African entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, particularly in Kenya and other priority markets. 
• Experience working directly with Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs). 
• Familiarity with HubSpot or other CRM and pipeline-management tools. 
• Experience securing sponsorships, ecosystem partnerships, or co-funding opportunities. 
• Experience working with foundations, corporations, public institutions, multilaterals, or other entrepreneurship ecosystem funders. 
• Experience supporting communications, media engagement, or ecosystem positioning initiatives.

How We Work at Bridge

We look for people who are: 

• Purpose-driven and aligned with our mission. 
• Courageous, resilient, and eager to learn. 
• Empathetic collaborators who take ownership. 
• Clear communicators with a startup mindset.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

1. Apply: Submit your application.
2. Initial Chat: A brief 30-45 minute conversation to discuss your interest and understand the role.
3. Business Case: You'll receive a challenge to complete within a set time frame.
4. Technical Interview: If your challenge is satisfactory, we'll discuss it further and assess your technical skills.
5. Mutual Interview: An open discussion where you can ask us any questions to ensure our company is the right fit for you.
6. References: With your consent, we'll contact two of your references for feedback.
7. Offer: If all goes well, you'll receive a job offer from us.
   
   

OFFER AND LOCATION

Transparent salaries and fair compensation structure, mid-range for the social sector:

• Compensation: of USD 26K - 29K gross per year (paid in USD), depending on profile
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya. The Ecosystem Developer is expected to have strong familiarity with the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and key actors in the region.
• Office rhythm: minimum 2 days per week at the office and 3 flex days.
• Starting Date: October/November 2026.
• Type of contract: Full-time permanent position, with an initial trial period of 6 months. Continuity after the trial will be confirmed based on performance.
• Vacation Days: 23 days of paid holidays annually. We will provide more details about the vacation policy during your onboarding.
• Company-Equipped Laptop: A rented or second-hand laptop, typically a Macbook, provided for your professional use.
  
  

IMPACT & TEAM

• Our Vision: We're set on reshaping the entrepreneurship landscape to be more just, inclusive, and effective.
• Make a Real Impact: Join us in aiding entrepreneurs worldwide. As a part of our team, you'll be at the heart of a rapidly evolving social enterprise.
• Team Dynamics: We're a passionate, international crew with a shared mission. See what our team members are saying on Glassdoor.
• Company Values: Our four pillars are Gumption, Courage, Grit, and Empathy.
  
  

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

• Annual Global Retreats: Join us in global company-wide retreats, geared toward alignment and leadership growth, facilitated by external professionals.
• Personal Growth: Take advantage of a dedicated learning budget, tailored for needs like backend bootcamps or leadership training sessions.
• Feedback-Centered Culture: Engage in monthly one-on-ones with your lead and partake in comprehensive quarterly reviews with your peers.
• Skill Sharing: We value cross-training. Team members are urged to share expertise through talks and in-house training.
  
  

About Bridge for Billions

Bridge for Billions is a social enterprise that co-designs and manages incubation programs for early-stage entrepreneurs with the goal of democratizing access to entrepreneurship and making it more inclusive. We work with partners around the world to customize each program to fit their needs, using a proprietary methodology and a team of experts and mentors. Bridge for Billions supports thousands of purpose-driven entrepreneurs to build inclusive, sustainable companies and create positive change. We are focused on creating entrepreneurship opportunities for all, accelerating growth, and offering entrepreneurship support worldwide.