Independent Chairperson of the Board

The company ValCUN ( was founded in October 2016 by dr. ir. Jonas Galle. Co-founder dr. ir. Jan De Pauw joined early 2019. ValCUN began with bootstrapping and is on a mission to lower the barriers to metal additive manufacturing (AM) adoption in the industry. The company has developed a proprietary aluminium AM technology—backed by two granted patents—designed for scalable and deployable manufacturing solutions.

ValCUN has a highly skilled team of 7 with expertise in software, materials, and mechanical engineering. The company has secured about €5 million in funding, amongst them 2 projects with ESA & an EIC accelerator grant (with equity option).

ValCUN introduced their first commercial machine by the end of 2023 and sold in 2024 both in EU and US the first machine into the USA.

ValCUN’s initial go-to-market strategy focuses on R&D institutes and industrial partners with in-house research capabilities, enabling third parties to push the technology to its limits and provide valuable user feedback. The company is now transitioning toward industrial applications, with a strong preference for use cases that allow for scalable manufacturing.

The ultimate mission is to have ValCUN’s technology integrated in every (industrial) metal workshop complementing the existing conventional methods.

In order to achieve this ambition, ValCUN wants to further professionalize its leadership and governance structure, by recruiting an independent chairperson of the board.

As ValCUN shareholders (with the founders owning together xx% with the remaining xx% is owned by xx business angels and xx% allocated to employees), we want to engage an additional board member, who will also take the role of chairperson of the board of directors. The chairperson will take on the usual responsibilities for a technology SME with high growth potential. The position offers compensation in line with market standards for a chairperson of the board and is appointed for a renewable term of two years. The board convenes approximately four times per year. The board currently consists of 4 directors: (i) 1 founder as chair, (ii) co-founder (iii) 2 shareholders. In addition, 3 other shareholders attend the board meetings as observers. On top of that, the management gets advice from 2 external experts AM field:

-       Tali Rosman, Former General Manager Xerox AM Former Head of Product Strategy & Operations Stratays

-       Moshe Aknin, AM Technology Consultant Former Director Technology development Stratays

At ValCUN, we are committed to strengthening and further developing a professional corporate culture. The chairperson will play a key role in guiding and supporting this evolution..  

●      At least one (current or recent) appointment as external non-executive president / chairperson of a board of directors of a (preferably) Belgian company.

●      At least one (current or recent) appointment as external non-executive member of a board of directors.

ValCUN is a dynamic SME with high growth potential, aiming at international customers, partners and team members. The ValCUN management seeks a sounding board, sparring partner and mentor with an entrepreneurial mindset to help guide them through this growth path.

●      At least 5 years of experience in an executive leadership position (e.g. CxO) in a fast growing, international company.

ValCUN is the typical example of a hardware company with unique and proprietary technology in manufacturing. The ValCUN management seeks someone who understands the growth dynamics and long-term horizons typical of such ventures, and who can help guide both the company and Board-level discussions..

●      Proven experience with R&D, manufacturing industry and development & sales of capital equipment

●      Experience in additive manufacturing is a plus but not required

In addition to the essential and necessary requirements listed above, the candidate should also have experience in one or both of the following domains:

ValCUN operates in several international markets, targeting both R&D environments and industrial customers. Currently, the company uses a direct sales model, with the potential to explore indirect sales in the future. Experience with complex international sales channels and key account development is considered an asset.

●      “Think global” as a second nature. Proven by experience in a multinational group, international sales or membership in an international network.

As a scale-up, ValCUN remains open to opportunities such as acquisitions and strategic partnerships. The board will play a critical role in overseeing financial reports related to international ventures and investments. Therefore, it is important that management can rely on a board with strong strategic expertise in international finance and mergers & acquisitions.

●      Proven financial literacy and experience with M&A..

Beyond the standard corporate governance competencies, we expect the chairperson to embrace ValCUN’s open and transparent culture and to uphold the company’s core values. Accordingly, we are looking for the following personal leadership qualities in a chairperson:

ValCUN will support the chairperson to fill the role effectively and efficiently.

We expect the chairperson to commit a sufficient amount of time to be available as a sparring partner and mentor to the management as well as a point of contact for non-exec directors  and shareholders.

Between formal board meetings, the chairperson is expected to be flexible and available for reflection, guidance, preparation, and follow-up. The role may require a few hours of engagement each week. 

ValCUN is powered by a team of highly talented and motivated directors, managers, and staff. The chairperson fosters open communication and thoughtfully considers diverse perspectives with respect and empathy. As a constructive mediator, the chairperson promotes a culture of mutual trust and works toward pragmatic consensus in the best interests of the company.

ValCUN operates in a dynamic environment with many unknowns. The chairperson is expected to navigate complex and sometimes incomplete information effectively, maintain a long-term strategic perspective, and step back to see the bigger picture. At times, both the company and chairperson must make swift, decisive actions based on limited data and sound judgment.

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If you are interested in this position, please submit your application to co-founder and CEO Jonas Galle (jonas.galle@valcun.be). Include a brief resume highlighting your recent or current board roles..

We will process your application as confidential information. The most suitable candidates will be invited for interviews.