Investment Associate
Confidential Venture Capital Firm
San Francisco preferred | New York City considered | In-office
Base: $150K–$200K | OTE: approximately $165K–$240K | Performance-based investment economics
About the Firm
Our client is a highly regarded, founder-led venture capital platform investing across early-stage through growth-stage technology companies.
The firm backs ambitious founders across areas including artificial intelligence, infrastructure, deep technology, industrial innovation, and other emerging sectors, and has built a strong track record of identifying category-defining companies early.
The platform is differentiated by its highly entrepreneurial approach, broad executive network, and ability to support portfolio companies well beyond capital — including through customer introductions, strategic partnerships, recruiting, and access to institutional investors.
This is a lean, high-performing investment team where junior investors receive meaningful exposure and responsibility.
The Opportunity
The firm is seeking an exceptional Investment Associate to work closely with the founder and investment team across the full investment lifecycle.
This is not a traditional associate role focused solely on modeling and diligence. The person joining will have exposure to sourcing, investment analysis, founder relationships, portfolio support, strategic projects, enterprise introductions, and large co-investment opportunities.
The environment is fast-paced, highly entrepreneurial, and low-ego. The strongest candidate will be intellectually curious, commercially sharp, highly responsive, and energized by working directly with exceptional founders.
What You’ll Do
You will:
- Source and evaluate new investment opportunities across multiple stages.
- Conduct market, competitive, company, and technical diligence.
- Build financial models and investment analyses.
- Develop investment theses and recommendations for the senior team.
- Participate in growth-stage investments and larger co-investment opportunities.
- Help portfolio companies develop strategic customer and commercial relationships.
- Build relationships with founders, executives, investors, and technical talent.
- Develop creative sourcing strategies and identify compelling companies before they become widely known.
- Support founders on high-priority needs spanning customers, talent, partnerships, fundraising, and strategic problem solving.
- Work closely with a small senior team and take ownership of projects without requiring significant structure.
What We’re Looking For
Ideal candidates will have approximately 1–4 years of highly relevant professional experience from one or more of the following:
- A respected venture capital or growth investment firm
- Investment banking at a strong bulge-bracket or elite boutique platform
- Top-tier management consulting
- A highly regarded, fast-growing technology company
Candidates should demonstrate strong financial modeling, investment analysis, business judgment, and written communication skills.
The role requires someone capable of quickly learning unfamiliar markets and forming thoughtful views on companies, technologies, competitive dynamics, and investment opportunities.
A strong academic background is preferred.
What Will Differentiate You
The firm places significant value on candidates who demonstrate unusual achievement, intellectual intensity, or excellence outside of a conventional career path.
That might include entrepreneurship, technical work, competitive pursuits, writing, investing, athletics, creative accomplishments, or another area where the candidate has demonstrated exceptional drive and ability.
The strongest candidates will also demonstrate:
- Extreme ownership
- High intellectual curiosity
- Strong commercial instincts
- Humility and low ego
- A service-oriented mindset toward founders
- Comfort operating with limited structure
- Strong personal initiative
- Genuine enthusiasm for technology and investing
Direct experience working with founders or senior executives is highly valued.
Compensation
Base salary: $150K–$200K
Estimated total cash compensation: approximately $165K–$240K
There is also potential for meaningful performance-based investment economics, which may include participation tied to investment performance and long-term contribution to the firm.
Location
This is an in-office position.
San Francisco is preferred, although strong candidates in New York City will also be considered.
Visa
The firm is open to considering certain visa transfers and sponsorship situations on a case-by-case basis.
Interview Process
The interview process is rigorous and designed to assess investment judgment, intellectual curiosity, analytical ability, and genuine company-building instincts.
Candidates should expect an initial investment discussion requiring them to articulate several companies they find compelling across both early-stage and growth-stage investing.
Strong candidates should be prepared to discuss:
- Why they believe a company is attractive
- Market size and competitive positioning
- Key risks
- What would make them invest or pass
- How they would source or gain access to compelling opportunities
Later stages may include a take-home investment exercise involving company analysis and short investment memos, followed by an in-person final round.
Why Join
This is an opportunity to join a small, entrepreneurial investment platform with significant capital, a strong track record, and unusually broad exposure across stages.
You will work closely with senior decision-makers, interact directly with founders, evaluate emerging technologies, support portfolio companies commercially, and gain exposure to investment opportunities ranging from very early-stage companies to significant growth investments.
For someone who wants substantial responsibility early in their investing career — and prefers a highly entrepreneurial environment over a rigid institutional structure — this can be an exceptional platform.