We are seeking an experienced, full-time investing venture Principal to join Castor Ventures, an Alumni Ventures fund. Alumni Ventures is consistently recognized as one of the most active venture firms globally, according to PitchBook. The firm employs over 50 full-time venture investors, has raised more than $1B, holds a rapidly growing portfolio of over 1,000 venture-backed companies, and counts 600,000+ community members and subscribers across all of its funds.
This individual will be a core part of the investment team, reporting directly to and working closely with the Castor team. The primary focus of the role is deal sourcing across different sectors, stages and geographies. This individual will also support researching and evaluating potential investment opportunities and managing relationships with portfolio companies and fellow venture investors. Castor Ventures is a co-investor, investing alongside well established venture funds. The successful candidate will source high quality investments for Castor Ventures and will have significant input into the creation of an annual portfolio of ~20-30 venture investments.
This position is based out of Alumni Ventures’ NYC office. Alumni Ventures is a fast-paced, professional, entrepreneurial
environment.
Responsibilities
- Conduct outreach to VCs, entrepreneurs, incubators, and more to help fill our pipeline with prospective investment opportunities
- Actively build Castor Ventures’ network and awareness in the startup ecosystem by attending conferences, events and leveraging social media
- Educate companies/entrepreneurs about our process and effectively manage relationships
- Research and evaluate potential investment opportunities, including talking to lead investors and company management teams
- Present opportunities to the team, prepare due diligence materials, and assist with orchestrating Investment Committee meetings
- Help create and manage our company database, monitoring prospects on an ongoing basis
- Assemble and update CRM on companies and entrepreneurs
- As requested, assist with investor relations and outreach to potential investors
- Help supervise back-end functions as needed
- Recruit, train, and manage interns/fellows to help support deal outreach and research
- Suggest improvements to our approach, process, products, and services
- Bachelor’s degree
- MBA or advanced degree preferred
- 1-5+ years of venture investing experience
- 7+ years of total work experience in business development, strategy, entrepreneurship and/ or finance
Ideal Traits
- Strong networker with superior sales skills and comfort regularly interacting with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, with an ability to source compelling investment opportunities and grow our ecosystem
- Demonstrated interest and experience working with emerging companies / technologies / entrepreneurs / startups
- Existing connections to the MIT entrepreneurial ecosystem. Castor Ventures is a private venture fund for MIT alumni and friends of the community to access high-quality, diversified venture portfolios in early to growth-stage companies, many with an MIT alumni connection
- Self-starter and independent manager, while also a good team player
- Smart, creative thinker and problem-solver, fast learner, with demonstrated initiative
- Strong writer and communicator, excellent listener
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, balanced by ability to get and communicate big picture
- Excellent work ethic and professional demeanor
- Strong research and analytical skills
- Experience in company research and due diligence preparation
- Track-record of managing multiple, complex projects at the same time
AV provides equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants for employment, interns and fellows without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, family care status, religion, age, physical or mental disability, gender identity, pregnancy, veteran status, results of genetic testing, service in the military or any other legally protected class. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, social and recreational programs and training.
$150,000-175,000 + carry & equity eligible
