Conductive Ventures invests in software, hardware and tech-enabled services startups to grow efficiently in industries primed to innovate. We have $450M in AUM from three funds to achieve this mission, and we are deploying it into post-product companies with early revenue traction. Over the past few years startups have been “building war chests” to expand without positive unit economics. These were the first to struggle in the current economic conditions. From day one, we invested in capital efficient, unconventional entrepreneurs who are scrappy, understand the importance of a fast customer payback period, and stronger unit economics to build sustainable businesses.
Our portfolio companies’ success is paramount, and we help accelerate growth by sharing our networks and guiding strategy. More importantly we support entrepreneurs when the path ahead looks particularly challenging. A true test of character is seen in the face of adversity – which stems from our DNA as 1st and 2nd generation immigrants. In both good and tough times, we support our entrepreneurs as a top priority – our CEOs are our references.
The team is led by institutional venture investors and operators with prior experience from IVP, Kleiner Perkins, Intel Capital and a range of startups. We live in awe of the entrepreneurs we meet, and believe in being humble in both success and failure. We have over 30 portfolio companies including Self Financial, CSC Generation, Jackpocket and many more, of which 10 companies have exited through a combination of IPOs and M&As.
What will you be doing?
This is a pre-MBA associate position, and not a partner track role. You will still get exposure to all aspects of venture capital. The venture capitalist’s job can be simplified into 4 F’s: Find, Finance, Fix, and Firm. As a valuable member of the team, you will be working on all four:
FIND: Sourcing the next gen of smart and scalable entrepreneurs – Go deep into emerging industries and build investment theses. Using our collective network, reach out to entrepreneurs and other investors to learn more about their team, technologies, and products. Be our first point of contact and filter our inbound opportunities. To do this, you’ll need to always expand your network. Meet with entrepreneurs, co-investors, and company executives frequently and build long-term relationships.
FINANCE: Leading diligence efforts and proposing deal terms – As you build investment theses around certain industries and companies, you will undoubtedly become an expert in those fields through researching industry dynamics, and analyzing complex data sets to identify crucial financial and business information. Draft investment memos with data and analysis to support prospective investment decisions.
FIX: Ensuring our CEOs’ success – Work with portfolio companies on key strategic and operational projects — this will be critical to the success of the company during growth periods as well as challenging periods. Think organizational structure, employee compensation, financial reporting, sales execution, and product road mapping.
FIRM: Helping us scale our own business – remember we are a startup: Create key external pieces of thought leadership, such as blog posts, videos, podcasts and whitepapers. Help with hosting events and marketing our firm. Own our internal CRM for deal tracking and intelligence building, and manage LP reporting.
What is in it for you?
We will trust and empower you as we do our CEOs: Our entire team gets involved in all parts of the investment process, and we run on communal trust. You’ll be encouraged to speak up, attend external meetings and own a workstream the way we trust our CEOs to run their businesses. We are a lean team, and we do not have the time nor the desire to micro-manage. You are expected to be proactive.
You will get exposure to ALL parts of venture capital: This is not a role where you’ll be working in a windowless basement simply crunching numbers. We provide autonomy and will give you every opportunity to learn all parts of the venture capital business.
Our network is your network, and you’ll build your own: Our network is our communal asset. The firm’s networks will become yours. As you build and strengthen that network, all we ask is for you to leverage it to find new investments. Remember, this network will be yours forever.
Our ideal candidate is someone who is:
Genuine, likable and with high EQ: Most of all it means that you should be a pleasure to work and travel alongside.
Efficiently analytical with high IQ: You can build financial models, problem solve and go deep into emerging sectors as we evaluate investments. You will likely have built this skill after 2-3 years at an investment bank, or consulting firm.
Always treating the firm as if it were your own: We are a scrappy startup VC fund with a small investment team. You should treat the firm as if it were your own business and be a self-starter. You’ll work smart and hard, be proactive, and not be afraid to ask questions.
Has strong interest in and knowledge of AI: You have a strong interest in and understanding of AI technology, regularly track its developments and have experimented with or even built something using various AI products and tools. Ideally, you have spent 1-2 years in an AI-focused role at a company.
How can you apply?
We are always delighted to speak with applicants, but ask that we make it a productive conversation. Think hard about an industry (relevant to us and exciting to you), and write a paragraph on 2-3 companies and why they could be investable. Please also attach your resume and a link to your LinkedIn profile. Send it to recruiting@conductive.vc. We look forward to speaking with you!
