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Business Development Startup Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We're seeking Business Development Representatives who embrace AI as a force multiplier and are ... Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment. Bonus Points (Preferred ...

Business Development

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$210K - $290K/yr

What you'll do As a Business Development Lead, you'll play a critical role in building and ... Prior experience at a high-growth AI or enterprise SaaS startup * Deep expertise in a few of our ...

Business Development Representative - Retail REPORTING TO : Business Development Manager LOCATION ... Startup Navigator: You are relentlessly agile, navigating the high-speed, ever-changing landscape ...

... startup experience, including business development * strong knowledge of sales automation tools * experience driving product vision, go-to-market strategy, and design discussions. Preferred ...

Prior startup experience, including business development * Strong knowledge of sales automation tools * Experience driving product vision, go-to-market strategy, and design discussions. Preferred ...

... startup experience, including business development * strong knowledge of sales automation tools * experience driving product vision, go-to-market strategy, and design discussions. Preferred ...

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Business Development Startup information

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$36K

$84.5K

$147K

How much do business development startup jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for business development startup in California is $84,481.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,200.00 and $98,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What kinds of challenges might I face working in Business Development at a startup, and how can I prepare for them?

Business Development roles in startups often involve navigating uncertainty, adapting to rapidly changing markets, and prioritizing multiple growth initiatives with limited resources. You may encounter challenges such as establishing brand presence, building new partnerships from scratch, and frequently shifting strategies to respond to feedback or market conditions. To prepare, it's helpful to embrace flexibility, seek continuous learning, and proactively communicate with both internal teams and external stakeholders. Successful candidates often thrive in fast-paced environments and are comfortable taking calculated risks to drive company expansion.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Business Development Startup position, and why are they important?

To succeed in a Business Development Startup role, you need strong analytical abilities, market research skills, sales acumen, and ideally a background in business or entrepreneurship. Familiarity with CRM software, data analysis tools like Excel or Tableau, and project management platforms is common, though formal certifications are less emphasized than demonstrated results. Exceptional networking, adaptability, and persuasive communication are standout soft skills for building client relationships and navigating dynamic startup environments. These capabilities enable individuals to identify new opportunities, drive growth, and help startups achieve scalability in competitive markets.

What is a Business Development Startup job?

A Business Development Startup job focuses on identifying growth opportunities, building partnerships, and driving revenue for a new or early-stage company. Professionals in this role analyze market trends, create sales strategies, and develop relationships with clients, investors, or other stakeholders. They often work closely with product, marketing, and leadership teams to scale the business. The role requires strong communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Business Development Startup jobs in California? The most popular types of Business Development Startup jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Business Development Startup jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Business Development Startup jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Business Development Startup jobs? Cities in California with the most Business Development Startup job openings:
Infographic showing various Business Development Startup job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,481 per year, or $40.6 per hour.
SVB-RM I -Business Development- Startup Banking

SVB-RM I -Business Development- Startup Banking

First Citizens Bank

San Francisco, CA • Hybrid

$120K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


First Citizens Bank rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 104 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

92nd of 149 rated banks


Job description

Overview

This is a hybrid role, with the expectation that time working will regularly take place inside and outside of our Nor Cal office. 

Together, Silicon Valley Bank and First Citizens offer you the strength and stability of a diversified financial institution with a 125-year tradition of service and the personalized approach of a nimble financial partner. 

First Citizens Bank helps personal, business, commercial and wealth clients build financial strength that lasts. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., First Citizens has built a unique legacy of strength, stability and long-term thinking that has spanned generations. First Citizens offers an array of general banking services including a network of more than 550 branches in 23 states and commercial finance expertise delivering best-in-class lending, leasing and other financial services coast to coast. Other specialty groups include syndications, TMT, Commercial Real Estate, Energy, Healthcare, Equipment Finance, and Sponsor Finance. Parent company First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCNCA) is a top 20 U.S. financial institution with more than $200 billion in assets. 

SVB Startup Banking is focused on engaging and building deep and authentic relationships with pre-Series A founders, investors (emerging managers), clients, prospects, and partners including accelerators/incubators, law firms, universities, industry groups, and more. 

We are currently seeking a business development professional with experience in the early-stage technology startup landscape to join our team. The role’s day-to-day work is broken down into two main functions: business development (acquiring new clients for SVB’s startup banking platform) & delivering founder success within your local market (in this case, Northern California). Your days will be spent meeting founders and channel partners, spearheading events with key partners (from conception to execution to follow up) and serving as a brand ambassador for SVB in your local market. This role involves a lot of “dot connecting” across your own personal and professional, internal and external networks. Based in San Francisco, the ideal candidate is already active in the local ecosystem, with an existing and growing network of investors, law firms, influencers, and relevant stakeholder relationships. 


Responsibilities
  • Work closely with our Director of Business Development to develop and execute on a regional GTM strategy 
  • Successfully engage and support key early-stage channels in the tech and venture ecosystem 
  • Generate your own pipeline of new prospects. This can be done in many ways, including events, partnerships, referrals, etc. 
  • Interact directly with prospective clients to articulate SVB’s value proposition, products, and other services, and ultimately convert these prospects into clients 
  • Rigorously track prospective and ongoing client engagement via our CRM 
  • Partner with internal teams at SVB such as Investor Coverage, Relationship Management, Global Fund Banking, and Wealth to close deals and deliver “value beyond banking” to prospects and clients 
  • Support our team’s founder success efforts with top tier prospects and clients. These often focus around advising clients on fundraising, making helpful ecosystem connections, hosting value-additive events/roundtables and more 

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and 2 years of direct experience in business development, partnerships, program management or “generalist” experience working with startups, venture capitalists, accelerators, or adjacent roles in the innovation economy OR High School Diploma or GED and 6 years of experience 

Preferred qualifications:

  • 5 years experience working with startups, venture capitalists, accelerators or adjacent roles in the innovation economy
  • Natural ability to build trusted relationships 
  • A self-starter, able to execute autonomously  
  • Willingness to be regularly “in market,” hosting & attending events, speaking on panels, etc.  
  • Scrupulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills 
  • A pre-existing network in the innovation economy (founders, VCs, service providers)   

The base pay for this position is relative to your experience but the range is generally $120000 - $150000 annually. Actual starting base pay will be determined based on skills, experience, location, and other non-discriminatory factors permitted by law. For some roles, total compensation may also include variable incentives, bonuses, benefits, and/or other awards as outlined in the offer of employment. 

Benefits are an integral part of total rewards and First Citizens Bank is committed to providing a competitive, thoughtfully designed and quality benefits program to meet the needs of our associates. More information can be found at https://jobs.firstcitizens.com/benefits.

#LI-Hybrid

Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree and 2 years of direct experience in business development, partnerships, program management or “generalist” experience working with startups, venture capitalists, accelerators, or adjacent roles in the innovation economy OR High School Diploma or GED and 6 years of experience 

Preferred qualifications:

  • 5 years experience working with startups, venture capitalists, accelerators or adjacent roles in the innovation economy
  • Natural ability to build trusted relationships 
  • A self-starter, able to execute autonomously  
  • Willingness to be regularly “in market,” hosting & attending events, speaking on panels, etc.  
  • Scrupulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills 
  • A pre-existing network in the innovation economy (founders, VCs, service providers)   

The base pay for this position is relative to your experience but the range is generally $120000 - $150000 annually. Actual starting base pay will be determined based on skills, experience, location, and other non-discriminatory factors permitted by law. For some roles, total compensation may also include variable incentives, bonuses, benefits, and/or other awards as outlined in the offer of employment. 

Benefits are an integral part of total rewards and First Citizens Bank is committed to providing a competitive, thoughtfully designed and quality benefits program to meet the needs of our associates. More information can be found at https://jobs.firstcitizens.com/benefits.

#LI-Hybrid

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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