Principal - Investments

About Teknor Apex

Teknor Apex is a privately held, family-owned material science company founded in 1924 and headquartered in Rhode Island. We develop customized polymer solutions that serve customers across automotive, healthcare, electronics, construction, packaging, consumer products, wire & cable, and industrial markets throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

About TekVentures

TekVentures is the corporate venture capital arm of Teknor Apex, investing in innovative early-stage companies that are transforming materials, manufacturing, sustainability, and adjacent industrial technologies. Beyond capital, we leverage Teknor Apex's global manufacturing capabilities, technical expertise, commercial relationships, and operating resources to accelerate portfolio company growth while identifying strategic opportunities that create long-term value for both our portfolio and our parent company.

Position Summary

TekVentures is seeking an experienced Principal to play a leadership role across the firm's investment activities. This individual will independently source, evaluate, structure, and execute investments while helping shape the fund's investment strategy and external presence. The Principal will serve as a trusted advisor to portfolio company leadership teams, cultivate relationships across the venture ecosystem, and collaborate closely with Teknor Apex business leaders to identify strategic partnerships and commercialization opportunities.

The ideal candidate combines strong investment judgment with deep technical or operating expertise and has demonstrated success evaluating emerging technologies, building strategic partnerships, and translating complex scientific or technical concepts into sound investment and business decisions.

Investment Leadership

• Lead sourcing, evaluation, diligence, negotiation, and execution of venture investments.
• Evaluate investment opportunities across technical feasibility, commercial viability, market opportunity, competitive positioning, strategic alignment, and financial return.
• Develop investment theses within priority technology sectors and identify emerging market opportunities.
• Prepare and present investment recommendations to the Managing Director, investment partners, and Investment Committee.
• Structure strategic collaborations between portfolio companies and Teknor Apex business units to accelerate commercialization and create mutual value.

Portfolio Value Creation

• Serve as a strategic advisor and board representative or observer, as appropriate.
• Support portfolio companies through commercialization, strategic partnerships, follow-on financings, customer introductions, recruiting, and operational scaling.
• Monitor portfolio performance and identify opportunities to maximize strategic and financial outcomes.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with business, R&D, manufacturing, legal, finance, and commercial leaders to evaluate investment opportunities and develop strategic collaborations.
• Build relationships across startups, venture capital firms, universities, research institutions, accelerators, and industry organizations to strengthen deal flow and market intelligence.
• Represent TekVentures within the innovation ecosystem through conferences, technical forums, industry events, and thought leadership activities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in venture capital, corporate venture capital, private equity, technology commercialization, innovation leadership, strategic investing, corporate development, or an operating leadership role within a technology-driven organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading investment opportunities or strategic technology initiatives from evaluation through execution.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to assess technical, commercial, financial, and market risks.
• Experience preparing and presenting recommendations to executive leadership, investment committees, or corporate decision-makers.
• Experience working with startups, venture-backed companies, research institutions, or innovation ecosystems.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and build collaborative partnerships across technical and business organizations.
• Experience serving on or supporting boards, advisory boards, or governance bodies is preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, materials science, physics, business, finance, or a related discipline required.
• Advanced degree (MBA, Ph.D., M.S., J.D., or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
• Technical expertise in materials science, chemistry, advanced manufacturing, industrial technologies, energy, sustainability, electronics, or other deep technology sectors is highly desirable.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear investment and business recommendations.