Zayn Sulaman | Venture Capital Careers

I am an investment associate with three years of experience in UK pre-seed venture capital. I own deal sourcing and screening, investment memos, portfolio monitoring, and investor reporting across a 27-company portfolio with more than £11 million deployed. At Solid Bond Capital, I have helped scale annual deal flow from 120 opportunities to more than 800, built a dynamic portfolio monitoring system, supported the firm’s first fundraise through investor introductions, and worked closely with founders on financial models, operating plans, recruitment, and fundraising strategy. I also regularly contribute to the startup ecosystem through panels, mentoring, and sessions on pitch decks and investment readiness. I am analytical, commercially minded, and passionate about supporting ambitious early-stage founders. I am now looking to apply my investment experience at a regional or fund level.

Experience

Investment Associate

Solid Bond Capital Limited

Dec 2022 – Present

Full time

I lead the end-to-end review and progression of pre-seed deal flow, evaluating products, founding teams, financial robustness and wider business fundamentals. I prepare investment memos and present analysis to the Investment Committee, while significantly expanding annual deal flow from 120 opportunities to over 800 in 2025. I built and maintain an Excel portfolio monitoring system covering 27 businesses and more than £11m deployed, and support portfolio companies with financial modelling, strategic planning and recruitment. I also contribute to firm strategy, investor reporting, fundraising introductions and founder mentoring.

Venture capitalDeal sourcingDeal screeningInvestment analysisInvestment memosInvestment Committee presentationsFinancial analysisExcelPortfolio monitoringInvestor reportingFinancial modellingStrategic planningRecruitmentFundraisingFounder mentoringNetworking

Intern

Praetura Group

Sep 2022 – Oct 2022

Internship

I completed a cross-functional placement across the Asset Finance and Venture Capital divisions. I analysed potential clients’ company details, credit histories and financials to support loan underwriting, and contributed to business development proposals and underwriting sheets. In the Venture Capital division, I reviewed founder investment decks, assessed progression opportunities, developed relationships with founders and supported the company’s investor and client white paper.

Credit analysisLoan underwritingFinancial analysisBusiness developmentVenture capitalInvestment deck reviewFounder relationsDue diligenceResearchWriting

Education

Lancaster University Management School

BSc Hons Finance & Economics, Finance & Economics

Sep 2019 – Jul 2022

2:1

Skills

Deal sourcingDeal screeningInvestment analysisInvestment memosInvestment committee presentationsVenture capitalPre-seed investingPortfolio monitoringInvestor reportingFinancial modellingCredit analysisUnderwritingDue diligenceBusiness developmentFounder relationsInvestor relationsFundraising strategyStrategic planningRecruitment supportExcelPitch deck evaluationInvestment readinessPublic speakingMentoringNetworking

Languages

English: Native or bilingual proficiency