Location: San Francisco, CA
Experience: 2–4 years
Start: Immediate
About Leonis Capital
Leonis Capital is a research-driven Seed and Pre-Seed venture firm based in Silicon Valley. We combine technical depth with contrarian insight, partnering early with founders who are both ambitious and technically obsessed.
Our partners have backed companies like Anaplan, Anthropic, Airbnb, Marqeta, MaintainX, Motion, Lime, Spline, Spectro Cloud, etc. And our in-house research software (Leonis Alfa) tracks emerging AI-first startups and model-driven disruption across industries.
The Role
We’re hiring an Associate who thrives in high-context, fast-moving environments. This role blends investment analysis, research, and special projects directly supporting the two Partners. You’ll help us source and evaluate startups, lead deep dives on emerging AI technologies, and drive firm-level initiatives like founder programs and the Leonis AI 100.
This is NOT a “sit behind a spreadsheet” role. It’s a front-row seat to how a modern venture fund operates, with significant exposure to founders, LPs, and the broader AI ecosystem.
This is a true partner-track role. For the right person, scope will grow from research and support into owning theses, leading deals, and managing founder relationships—with a clear path toward Principal/Partner as the firm scales.
You’ll operate like an internal researcher-investor: synthesizing technical signals before they become market narratives, connecting research, product, and capital decisions into one feedback loop.
What You’ll Do
Source & Evaluate Startups: Identify emerging AI-native startups through data, networks, and events. Distill technical signals into investment insights.
Research & Writing: Contribute to Leonis research pieces and ecosystem reports (e.g., Leonis AI 100), producing sharp, technically literate content.
Operational Backbone: Work closely with partners to ensure strategic priorities are executed—a mix of creative problem-solving, analysis, and “get-it-done” energy.
You Might Be a Fit If You…
Have 2–4 years of experience in startup ops, product, VC or technical roles (engineering, data science, or similar).
Are technically curious: you actually read research papers, open GitHub repos, or play with new tools before the crowd.
Operate with self-motivation: you don’t wait for assignments; you generate them.
Thrive in structured chaos: you can move fast without dropping precision.
Why Leonis
Room to grow: we value initiative, not hierarchy.
Tight-knit, high-conviction team: you’ll work directly with partners on deals and strategy.
Exposure to frontier tech and top founders in AI and software.
How to Apply (2 Steps)
Send your CV/ Linkedin page to partners@leoniscap.com
Answer one of the following questions (bonus if you answer two+)
What’s one founder-first superpower a modern VC must have that most funds still don’t get? <150 words
Tell us about a time you taught yourself a completely new skill or domain. Why did you do it, and how did you approach the learning curve? <150 words.
What’s one thing you’d build or improve at Leonis in your first 60 days? ****<150 words.
You’re dropped into a room with 100 early-stage founders. How do you decide who to talk to first, and what’s your first question? <100 words.