Purpose of the Role
The Technical Venture Fellowship is a nine-month program that offers a unique entry into the venture capital industry through deal sourcing, due diligence, market research, and participating in comprehensive portfolio reviews.
Education, Certifications and Experience
Highly motivated PhD or Postdoc candidates who are passionate about venture capital and empathetic toward the entrepreneurial experience. Successful candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills and a keen interest in deep tech including chemistry and materials; advanced computing and AI infrastructure; and human-technology interfaces.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Intellectual curiosity with strong research abilities.
- Superior communications and reporting skills.
- Self-driven, adaptive and collaborative team player.
- PhD student or graduate with a technical focus (Chemistry and engineering a plus).
- Previous work experience with a deep tech startup or corporation a plus.
Occupational Demands
Regular weekly presence at our Palo Alto office (minimum once per week) is required. A minimum commitment of 16 working hours per week is expected.
Primary Responsibilities
- Performing scientific and market research to help identify new investment trends and research and innovation opportunities within a focus area.
- Deal screening, analysis, and documentation, including identifying and interviewing potential portfolio targets, analyzing comparative technology and science, documenting call notes and evaluation into CRM.
- Generating intelligence reports for innovation and executive teams.
- Participating in venture ecosystem events and expanding the Ajinomoto network.
- 9-month fellowship. Exact weekly hours to be determined based on individual circumstances.
Compensation will be determined based on market rates and the candidate's experience and qualifications.