Vice President of Business Development

Position Overview

Terragia is seeking a highly motivated Vice President or Director of Business Development to drive commercial partnerships, pilot deployments, and early customer relationships related to commercial implementation of the company's distinctive consolidated bioprocessing technology for production of cellulosic biofuels. This role is central to our go-to-market strategy and requires a deep understanding of the ethanol ecosystem, strong technical and commercial acumen, and a proactive, entrepreneurial mindset.

You will report to the CEO and work directly with the entire executive team to identify key market opportunities, engage with ethanol producers and industry stakeholders, and convert interest into strategic partnerships and revenue-generating agreements.

Terragia is located in Lebanon, NH and the VP of Business Development position can be hybrid or remote, with anticipated travel to customers, partners, and industry conferences. Candidates will be evaluated until the position is filled with a preferred start date in November 2025.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Market Outreach: Identify, engage, and manage relationships with corn ethanol producers, technology integrators, financing partners and other strategic partners

• Customer Development: Drive pilot project agreements and early commercial deployments; serve as the primary point of contact with early customers

• Strategic Positioning: Collaborate with R&D and leadership teams to align technology capabilities with market needs and value drivers

• Partnership Development: Explore and establish collaborations with feedstock suppliers, co-product processors, and agribusiness stakeholders

• Market Intelligence: Monitor trends, policy changes, and competitor activity across the ethanol and bio-industrial sectors; provide strategic recommendations

• Sales Enablement: Develop commercial materials (presentations, ROI models, term sheets) that communicate our value proposition to diverse stakeholders

• Revenue Growth: Drive pipeline growth and conversion to revenue through consistent follow-up, negotiation, and relationship building

About Terragia

Terragia is dedicated to development and commercial deployment of low-cost technology for production of low-carbon biofuels from cellulosic feedstocks to be cost-competitive with fossil fuels. We are inspired by the prospect of playing a key role in climate stabilization and rural economic development. Our breakthrough consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) technology using engineered thermophilic bacteria is founded out of decades of research at the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College and the University of Campinas (Brazil), and funded over the years by the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Science Foundation, the Sao Paulo Research Foundation, and others. The company raised a $6 million round of venture capital in March 2024 from two preeminent venture capital investors: the Engine Ventures and Energy Impact Partners. Our team of 20 has made fantastic progress in the lab over the last two years, and we are ready to start scaling up our technology platform and commercial activities. More information can be found at www.terragia.com.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in business development, strategic sales, or partnerships — ideally in the biofuels, agtech, or industrial biotechnology sectors

• Strong knowledge of the U.S. corn ethanol industry — including plant operations, regulatory landscape, and key value levers

• Technical aptitude to understand biotechnology innovations and communicate their commercial value

• Experience managing sales cycles with industrial customers

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills

• Entrepreneurial drive, out-of-the-box thinking, and comfort operating in a fast-paced, unstructured environment

• Willingness to travel (~30%) to meet customers, attend industry events, and support field deployments

• Experience raising non-dilutive capital (e.g., grants) and project finance capital for projects

• Nice-to-have qualifications include:

  • Experience with B2B technology commercialization in early-stage startups

  • Background in chemical engineering, agricultural science, or biotechnology

  • Familiarity with carbon markets, LCFS/RFS policy, or value-added coproducts in ethanol production

What We Offer

• Ground-floor opportunity to shape the commercial future of a high-impact biotech startup

• Competitive compensation with equity participation

• Direct access to leadership and influence over strategic direction

• A mission-driven team committed to innovation and sustainability

• Comprehensive health and dental insurance plans

• Company 401k

• Competitive health savings account (HSA) contributions

• Opportunities for professional development and advancement