About Co Ventures
Co Ventures is Australia's first pre-seed fund, backing Australian founders and propelling them onto the global stage. We're not passive capital — we're an active platform that systematically prepares pre-seed companies to raise from the best US investors.
We're currently deploying Fund II and building the infrastructure that will define what pre-seed support looks like in Australia. Our ambition is to work for the best Australian founders globally and accelerate them through pre-seed.
The Role
We're looking for a Platform Lead to help build an AI-first platform that makes Australian pre-seed companies US seed-ready. This isn't a program management role — you'll be building a product for founders. A platform that compounds with every company, conversation, and network touchpoint.
You'll own three layers of our platform:
🪑 The Bench: Our network and relationship graph — mapping warm paths to the investors, operators, and experts our founders need
🧠 The Intelligence Layer: AI-native systems that let us support 85+ companies without linear increases in team time
🛤️ The On-Ramp: Programs, events, and structured pathways where founders experience tangible value
You'll also help develop our events strategy, including a flagship annual event.
What You'll Do
In Your First 6 Months:
[ ] Help build a clear, ambitious plan for category creation
[ ] Build or specify the foundational AI-first platform architecture
[ ] Ship quick wins: War Room support, portfolio onboarding, US investor pathway
[ ] Help develop events strategy and execute first Sydney/Melbourne gatherings
By 12 Months:
[ ] Increase US investor participation with the companies we work with
[ ] Build platform that supports 50+ companies with same team
[ ] Execute first event pilots
By 18 Months:
[ ] Establish Co Ventures as the front door for AU pre-seed
[ ] Scale platform to support 85+ companies
[ ] Have flagship events running
Who You Are
You're approximately 5 years into your career. You've likely spent time at a top-tier consulting firm (Bain, McKinsey, BCG, or similar) where you learned how elite teams structure problems and deliver under pressure. Now you want to build something — not just advise on it.
You bring:
✅ Exceptional structured thinking from consulting background
✅ High comfort with ambiguity and change
✅ Builder mentality — you create systems, not just decks
✅ AI fluency — you use AI tools daily and think "AI-first"
✅ Intensity and hunger for a transformational career step
✅ Experience in or deep exposure to the startup ecosystem
Nice to have:
Network in Australian or US startup/VC ecosystem
Community, platform, or event production experience
Time spent working in or with early-stage startups
Why This Role
💰 Premium comp | $110-125K base + generous carry grant |
🏗️ Category creation | Build the playbook, don't run someone else's |
✈️ Global exposure | Budget for annual travel to the US |
🎯 Big impact | Small team, your work directly shapes outcomes |
How to Apply
Step 1: Blind Application
Before we review CVs, we'd like to see how you think. Please submit:
A short written response (max 500 words): "What's the most impressive thing you've built or shipped? What made it hard, and what would you do differently?"
A mini case (max 1 page): "You're building a platform to support 50 pre-seed companies. What are the 3 highest-leverage things you'd build first, and why?"
Your CV/LinkedIn
We'll review written submissions first, then CVs for candidates who demonstrate strong thinking.
What happens next:
We review submissions blind (written work first, then CV)
Selected candidates proceed to a 25-minute phone screen
Full process takes 3-4 weeks from first conversation to offer
💡 We're running a structured hiring process (WHO framework). We value quality of thinking over polish.