Business Development Associate at Abaka AI

<div data-page-id="GiMadozTkoclPIxGsaElVaTogAf" data-lark-html-role="root" data-docx-has-block-data="false"> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-ONttdd4sGoKoysxcdVRlMSACgDe"> <div data-page-id="GiMadozTkoclPIxGsaElVaTogAf" data-lark-html-role="root" data-docx-has-block-data="false"> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-BkyBdjjTwozusXxsx5blpWnpg2c"><strong>About Abaka AI</strong></div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-NHxgdmdBfotWyvxbVnGlQQW5goe">Abaka AI is built on one mission: to be the world’s most trusted data partner for AI companies. More than 1,000 industry leaders across Generative AI, Embodied AI, and Automotive AI rely on us to power their data pipelines. With our headquarters in Silicon Valley—and teams in Paris, Singapore, and Tokyo—we support global partners with fast, reliable, and scalable data solutions.</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-AjlpdGLpUojBfWxwpVUlV9oCgWg">Our offerings include a diverse catalog of off-the-shelf datasets—including image, video, multimodal, reasoning, and 3D data—as well as comprehensive data collection and annotation services. Whether teams need raw data, curated datasets, or full-cycle data engineering, Abaka AI provides the foundation for building high-performance AI systems.</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-Gb3Nd6aE0o3hZixvj1ylZoy7ggc">&nbsp;</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-JDXxdpWUSod95nxiMVhlkXdegTd"><strong>About the Role</strong></div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-KxLZdY6LuowzWaxDRj0l2h7QgKd">We’re hiring a Business Development Associate to join our growing team and help expand Abaka AI’s customer base. This is an early-career, full-cycle sales role for someone who wants to build strong commercial judgment and grow into an independent business development professional.</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-AhXldWbGgoJeRZxmW0Il50Yig0d">From day one, you will own your leads from initial outreach through qualification, discovery, solution development, negotiation, and close. You will work closely with an experienced mentor who will help you understand customer needs, develop solutions, structure deals, and navigate Abaka AI’s internal capabilities. As you demonstrate consistent performance and commercial readiness, you will progress toward operating independently.</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-WotRdHWVjoEDLGx15Y9liBahgGg">This is not a sourcing-only position. Although outbound prospecting and pipeline development are important parts of the role, you will also participate directly in customer meetings, coordinate samples and pilots, prepare proposals, support pricing and contract discussions, and help convert opportunities into long-term customer relationships.</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-LRDVdUz3loqSdfxJOMslWYqZg5f">The ideal candidate is proactive, commercially curious, and comfortable learning technical concepts quickly. You should be excited to engage AI companies, understand their data challenges, and coordinate across internal teams to build solutions that meet their needs.</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-JVQGdlFeZo8xfxxy75wlV8a5gVb">&nbsp;</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-YSwqdQHcTo5iF6x5jgKl75FZgsW"><strong>Responsibilities</strong></div> <ul class="list-bullet1"> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-OrmbdL2ahocW1qxuhjIlT5r9g5e" data-list="bullet"> <div>Own business development opportunities from initial prospecting through qualification, discovery, proposal development, negotiation, and close.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-XT5NdLKlJofwwLxqR2zl56m2glb" data-list="bullet"> <div>Research and identify prospective customers across AI, technology, and other relevant industries.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-MZXEdOJqXo6CyuxhV2Il1Gn6gnc" data-list="bullet"> <div>Conduct outbound prospecting through LinkedIn, email, events, referrals, and other channels to build a strong pipeline.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-HdccdfaJPonFzixlS5llfcf7gkd" data-list="bullet"> <div>Lead and participate in customer meetings to understand technical requirements, business priorities, budgets, timelines, and decision-making processes.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-HjRJdFKqzoWUdExazmRlEVxDgyf" data-list="bullet"> <div>Evaluate whether prospective opportunities align with Abaka AI’s serviceable capabilities and commercial priorities.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-QmUnd9SRLod8kPx7ZaVlIt67gjo" data-list="bullet"> <div>Develop a strong understanding of Abaka AI’s datasets, data collection and annotation services, and technical capabilities.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-D2SPdi7FwocArfxu78flzCoHgsb" data-list="bullet"> <div>Coordinate with project management, technical, research, and operations teams to design solutions for prospective customers.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-XBKGdm0iKoC2utx6oNrlhuMlg3b" data-list="bullet"> <div>Arrange and manage data samples, demonstrations, pilot projects, and other technical evaluations.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-X4nTdl1cTon9YTx7s6slxpWYgic" data-list="bullet"> <div>Prepare proposals, pricing materials, contracts, and other commercial documentation with guidance from internal stakeholders and your assigned mentor.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-DVdmdPmKgozVtvxzd5UlsbgagDd" data-list="bullet"> <div>Participate in pricing, contract, and commercial negotiations while developing sound judgment around deal structure.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-RVgTdl7yPozBaTxjejjlDHZcgIh" data-list="bullet"> <div>Maintain accurate and organized records of leads, customer requirements, opportunities, follow-ups, and pipeline activity.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-RVZCdWD40o8nnqxYUbblJI6gguS" data-list="bullet"> <div>Build long-term customer relationships and identify opportunities for repeat orders, expanded projects, and new use cases.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-Yyu4de7oRoNidNxrIGHlNxzagFe" data-list="bullet"> <div>Participate in regular pipeline reviews and proactively communicate risks, blockers, and next steps.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-VvcSd6rCyo51XbxIps4lN4Exg7e" data-list="bullet"> <div>Work toward defined revenue and performance goals while progressing toward independent ownership of the full sales cycle.</div> </li> </ul> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-HAcKdCKRAoL6XixYEmHlNLieg0g">&nbsp;</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-Dk6Qd5Ij0ozAmxxrQRMlqKu2g2d"><strong>Qualifications</strong></div> <ul class="list-bullet1"> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-LB6ed16mao0OktxoT5elEG8tgeg" data-list="bullet"> <div>0–2 years of experience in business development, sales, partnerships, account management, or another relevant customer-facing role. New graduates with strong internship, sales, or entrepreneurial experience are encouraged to apply.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-EY63dR25so4GWNxRknRlu7TBgbc" data-list="bullet"> <div>Previous experience as an SDR, BDR, sales associate, or in another outbound or full-cycle sales role is preferred.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-XGRpdlyviouTpvx6s2AlYbNfg9g" data-list="bullet"> <div>Experience with B2B SaaS, technology, AI, data services, or other technical products is a plus.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-C603dR0A5oZVBnxYwJ8lbBQigDg" data-list="bullet"> <div>Basic understanding of the B2B sales cycle, including prospecting, qualification, discovery, solution development, proposals, negotiation, and closing.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-VVvudmVpLoZy25xteiQlJTSWg8f" data-list="bullet"> <div>Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate professionally with both business and technical stakeholders.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-MJi6dKC2CoG677xkElylnnEGgNf" data-list="bullet"> <div>Comfortable initiating conversations with new prospects through LinkedIn, email, events, and other outbound channels.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-GdMkdQZoSou6bxx6tkPlUHzdgNf" data-list="bullet"> <div>Able to ask thoughtful questions, understand customer needs, and translate those needs into actionable internal requirements.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-G15tdGjCKoViECxCLSKlKeMtgVb" data-list="bullet"> <div>Tech-savvy and able to learn new products, technical concepts, industries, and sales tools quickly.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-SRlod1SO7osHPyxumC1lGolWgRL" data-list="bullet"> <div>Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple prospects, customer requests, pilots, and follow-ups simultaneously.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-RTu2d2zaeor5oCxSskplBKhAgkc" data-list="bullet"> <div>Proactive about seeking context, asking questions, and collaborating with internal teams.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-KFKBdCaB0odFlGxkQ7blsgzggNb" data-list="bullet"> <div>Coachable and receptive to feedback, with the judgment to apply what you learn to new situations.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-QzWSdkGukox5cxx5FvRlp7jlg9g" data-list="bullet"> <div>Self-driven, adaptable, and comfortable taking ownership in a fast-paced startup environment.</div> </li> <li class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-QmFedQ519o0emJxEA82lk1QFgIf" data-list="bullet"> <div>Strong sense of urgency and accountability for moving opportunities forward.</div> </li> </ul> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-AsjqddSr6oXDCPxJnG0lxZyFgFd">&nbsp;</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-HmEjdhKQ9ozjHuxUHAklt72xgeh"><strong>Compensation &amp; Benefits</strong></div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-Nvr0d9o8FouCqfxtEoglarwPgwd">The base salary for this position is $80,000 USD annually. In addition to base salary, the role is eligible for performance-based variable compensation.</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-BZTydp6tdov0mMxJVZ9liRDTgeg">Variable compensation is tied to business development performance, based on closed-won business sourced by the employee, alongside qualified opportunity and meeting generation. Employees may have the opportunity to earn above target based on performance.</div> <div class="ace-line ace-line old-record-id-YkEfdtbhioz4k4x3OAVlqbIDgmb">Compensation may vary depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience. Base pay and variable compensation are part of the Total Package provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work at Abaka AI. This role is also eligible for equity, as well as a comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, PTO, flexible work schedule).</div> </div> </div> </div>