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Principal

Remote
Posted on 
September 9, 2024
👉  Don't forget to mention Startup & VC in your application!

About Shopify

Opportunity is not evenly distributed. Shopify puts independence within reach for anyone with a dream to start a business. We propel entrepreneurs and enterprises to scale the heights of their potential. Since 2006, we’ve grown to over 8,300 employees and generated over $1 trillion in sales for millions of merchants in 175 countries.

This is life-defining work that directly impacts people’s lives as much as it transforms your own. This is putting the power of the few in the hands of the many, is a future with more voices rather than fewer, and is creating more choices instead of an elite option.

About you

Moving at our pace brings a lot of change, complexity, and ambiguity—and a little bit of chaos. Shopifolk thrive on that and are comfortable being uncomfortable. That means Shopify is not the right place for everyone.

Before you apply, consider if you can:

  • Care deeply about what you do and about making commerce better for everyone
  • Excel by seeking professional and personal hypergrowth
  • Keep up with an unrelenting pace (the week, not the quarter)
  • Be resilient and resourceful in face of ambiguity and thrive on (rather than endure) change
  • Bring critical thought and opinion
  • Embrace differences and disagreement to get shit done and move forward
  • Work digital-first for your daily work

About the role

About Shopify Ventures

Shopify Ventures is the investment arm of Shopify, a leading global commerce platform empowering entrepreneurs of all sizes to build, grow, and scale their businesses online and offline. As a strategic investor, Shopify Ventures identifies and supports early-stage startups that are revolutionizing the future of commerce, web & app development, and entrepreneurship. By providing capital, mentorship, and access to Shopify's vast network, we aim to fuel innovation and drive growth for the next generation of disruptive companies. Join us in shaping the future of technology through strategic investments that push boundaries and create lasting impact in the industry.

About the role

The Shopify Ventures team is looking for a Principal. This is an opportunity for an experienced investor that has led investment deals from the first founder conversations through to portfolio management. Our ideal candidate is technical and great at identifying, evaluating, and selecting the best opportunities. We’re looking for someone who is flexible and creative, has product sense, deal sense, and a sense of humor. Someone who loves doing deals - but only the right deals, at the right time. Someone who wants to help build Shopify Ventures into a 100 year portfolio with us.

Please note: this is a Lead-level Individual Contributor (IC) role, and does not include a people management scope

Role and Responsibilities:

  • Thesis Building and Market Research: Conducting in-depth research on industry trends, competitive landscapes, and technological evolutions.
  • Technical understanding: Diving deep on the product and engineering parts of the company, with a clear view on technical moat and what is coming next. Work with experts to discover what is truly cutting edge.
  • Relationship management: Building and nurturing lasting founder relationships.
  • Pipeline / Deal Flow: Identifying and sourcing potential investment opportunities. Driving deals from lead generation →  LOI → due diligence → close.
  • Portfolio management: Working closely with founders post investment to help them scale and be successful.
  • Investment Memos and Process: Creation of investment memos and presentations.
  • Financial Modeling: Performing financial analysis, modeling, and valuation.
  • Building trust: Building rapport with internal teams, external collaborators / thought leaders, and leading deals, projects, and people through influence.  
  • Help build the Shopify Ventures Brand: Be an integral part of the Shopify Ventures team and help further scale our brand internally and externally.

Qualifications and Skills:

  • Experience leading several investment transactions from ideation, to due diligence, to close.
  • Strong network in Venture Capital and the Startup Ecosystem: Established connections within the VC industry and startup community, with a genuine excitement to continue expanding your network.
  • Excel in thesis development: Ability to conduct in-depth market research, competitive analysis, and industry trend analysis to drive thesis development.
  • Experience in the tech industry: Minimum 2 years in an EPD role (engineering, product management, data science, etc.) and minimum 2-6 years of experience as a tech VC investor. Additional experience (e.g. being a founder, investment banking, consulting, private equity) is a plus.
  • Experience and comfort working with product and technical teams: Rooted in a genuine interest and passion for great product and technology.
  • Financial and legal acumen: You have a strong understanding of financial models, and key business metrics. You are comfortable negotiating legal terms.  
  • Highly motivated and curious: High energy and a natural interest in exploring new industries, technologies, and business models will be a major asset.
  • Strong Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are needed for preparing analyses, presenting findings, and interacting with founders, executives, team members, and other stakeholders.
  • 0 to 1 mindset and entrepreneurial spirit: Highly entrepreneurial and eager to contribute to further shaping the fund. Must be willing to roll up their sleeves and take initiative, while making the most of the strong foundation already in place.

We hire people, not resumes. If you think you’re right for the role, apply now.

👉 Don't forget to mention Startup & VC in your application!
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