Are you passionate about finding and funding the next big thing in technology? Do you have an eye for spotting emerging trends in AI? Do you want to work with a diverse and experienced team of venture capitalists who share your vision and values?
If you answered yes to these questions, then you might be the perfect fit for M12, Microsoft's corporate venture capital fund. We are looking for an Investment Partner to join our growing team, with a particular emphasis on AI investing.
M12 is not your typical CVC. We are backed by one of the world's leading technology companies, Microsoft, and we leverage its resources, network, and expertise to grow our portfolio companies. We invest in early-stage startups across key thesis areas AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools, and Enterprise Applications.
We have a proven track record of success having funded over 100 companies, including 15 unicorns and 6 Initial Public Offerings. Some of our recent exciting investments include Armada, HiddenLayer, Nuebird, and Typeface.
As an M12 Investment Partner, you will play a key role in sourcing, evaluating, and closing deals. You will also work closely with our portfolio companies and Microsoft internal stakeholders to provide strategic guidance and value-added services. Every leader on our team is a “player / coach” – meaning you are an individual contributor, with attention to detail and willingness to get into the weeds, build your own models, make your own diligence calls, while also managing and mentoring earlier in career investors on a deal team.
At M12, we value diversity and welcome new perspectives to our team. We believe that a culture of accountability, continuous learning, inclusivity, teamwork, transparency, and trust are essential for our success. We are looking for people who share our passion and mission to accelerate the future of technology through strategic investments and meaningful partnerships with Microsoft.
Responsibilities
Develop Strategy for Investment Thesis and Make Investments
Develop the investment strategy for one or more key thesis area(s) by performing market research and analysis. Utilize insights from industry experts (including founders, venture capitalists, executives) to evaluate market opportunities, including long-term potential, unfulfilled customer and user needs, market dynamics, and competitive landscape.
Drive to completion 2-3 investments (Series A, B) per calendar year; support investing team on additional investments
Use Industry Connections and Generate Deal Flow
Use your industry network to drive deal sourcing and nurture executive relationships within startup and venture ecosystems, ensuring a high volume of sourcing opportunities.
Proactively identify, evaluate, and engage with companies with potential for investment to generate deal flow for top-tier deals.
Deal Diligence
Lead and conduct rigorous diligence including reviewing financial models, building exit analyses, interviewing customers, founders, executive management, analyzing GTM strategy, market sizing, etc.
Create investment deal memo based on extensive 1st-party and 3rd-party research analysis.
Drive deals to successful conclusion by engaging collaboratively with cross functional colleagues (legal, finance, treasury).
Support Portfolio Companies and Collaborate with Microsoft Colleagues
Contribute to portfolio companies’ growth by assisting in executive recruitment, fundraising, and guiding the company through the initial building phase (Go-To-Market, Product Business development).
Serve as board observer or board director on 3+ M12 portfolio companies
Establish trusted relationships and confidently interact with Microsoft executives, delivering presentations on relevant industry trends, competitive landscapes, etc.
Org Leadership
Coach, mentor and potentially manage early in career investors.
Evangelize M12 internally and externally as a thought leader in 1-2 thesis areas via industry events, press interviews, blog posts and in interactions with Microsoft executives
Additional:
Promotes creative and effective collaboration.
Experience working with and/or advising entrepreneurs in areas of product development, Go to Market, demonstrate passion the enterprise tech space; fascinated with the startup ecosystem, new markets, and new ways of doing things
Demonstrated ability and desire to navigate and collaborate in a large matrixed, complex organization
Can effectively lead and find solutions in a constantly changing environment.
Delivers success, defined as financial and strategic return for Microsoft
Seeks ideas and improves upon solutions to deliver more value.
Drives teams to push through real and perceived barriers to find the right solutions.
Ability to influence internal and external audiences and stakeholders
Demonstrated leadership and people management skills
Effectively lead and find solutions in a constantly changing environment
Manages and supports the development of an analyst or associate in the creation of investment thesis, sourcing, diligence, and overall career development
Strategic thinker, with an understanding of market trends, a passion for technical and market analysis, and a capable writer and visual creator (creation of slides) ready to present to C-Suite leaders
Qualifications
Required/Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Architecture, or related field AND 6+ years strategic consulting, investment banking, venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience
OR Master's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture, or related field AND 4+ years strategic consulting, investment banking, venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience
OR equivalent experience.
5+ years' experience on a deal team, including sourcing and leading your own investment(s).
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics Architecture, or related field AND 8+ years strategic consulting, investment banking, venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience
OR Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture, or related field AND 6+ years strategic consulting, investment banking, venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience
OR equivalent experience.
Master's Degree in Business Administration, with emphasis in Finance, Business Strategy, and/or Consulting.
7+ year(s) commercial and or technology business experience.
5+ years leading experience in investment deals and 2+ years' experience leading exits AND experience sitting on 1 to 2 boards or as a board observer.
#BD&V
Corporate Ventures IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $130,900 - $251,900 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $165,600 - $272,300 per year.
Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay
This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.