Investment Associate

Job Title: Investment Associate

Role Overview

The Investment Associate is a vital member of the investment team, acting as the "connective tissue" between emerging investment ideas and the CIIC investment decisions. This role combines rigorous financial and market analysis with active relationship management. The ideal candidate is a curious, high-energy individual capable of sourcing high-quality startups, performing deep-dive due diligence, and supporting portfolio companies.

Key Responsibilities

Deal Sourcing: Actively build and maintain a pipeline of early-stage investment opportunities through cold outreach, networking at industry events, university partnerships, and engagement with accelerator programs.

Deal Screening & Triage: Efficiently filter inbound deal flow. Conduct initial meetings with founders to assess team dynamics, product-market fit, and the "why now" of their venture.

Due Diligence: Lead the preliminary assessment of potential investments. This includes:

Conducting market/industry research and competitive mapping.

Reviewing financial projections and business models.

Performing customer and reference calls to validate founder claims.

Investment Memos: Draft clear, structured, and compelling investment memos for the Investment Committee (IC), summarizing the investment thesis, risks, and upside potential.

Transaction Execution: Assist in closing deals, including cap-table analysis, data-room management, and coordinating with legal counsel.

Portfolio Support: Provide "light" operational support to portfolio companies (e.g., helping with KPI tracking, board materials, or sourcing talent/specialized experts).

Qualifications

Experience: 25 years of professional experience in high-growth environments, including investment banking, management consulting, product management, or as an early employee/founder at a startup.

Analytical Skills: Proficiency in financial modeling, data analysis, and the ability to interpret financial statements to predict growth potential.

Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Must be able to present complex market insights in a concise manner and communicate effectively with both founders and partners.

Network: An existing professional network within the startup or technology ecosystem is a significant advantage.

Education: An MBA from a top-tier institution is often preferred

Core Competencies

Pattern Recognition: Ability to identify promising companies and distinguish between "charismatic storytellers" and those with sustainable execution potential.

Intellectual Curiosity: A genuine interest in emerging technologies and a drive to stay ahead of market trends.

Stamina for Ambiguity: Ability to make informed decisions and build conviction with incomplete data sets.

Influencing Skills: The capability to advocate for or against a deal, persuading senior partners through logic and data.