Philadelphia-based venture capital firm Osage University Partners (“OUP”) is looking for a Principal to join as a key member of its Technology Investment Team. The candidate should have significant work experience in venture capital, product development, engineering, and/or entrepreneurship. Title is flexible based on the experience level of the candidate.
Company Description
Osage University Partners is a unique venture capital fund that invests in cutting edge technology startups across software, hardware, and life science. OUP has partnerships with over 100 leading universities to invest in their most compelling spinouts. Approximately 1,000 startup companies are launched each year in the U.S. based upon university technologies, resulting in the creation of such notable companies as Google, Databricks, and Guardant Health. OUP has long-term, exclusive partnerships with Caltech, Columbia, Duke, Harvard, Michigan, MIT, Northwestern, Penn, UC Berkeley, U of Washington, Yale, and many others to exercise unique investment rights that those institutions hold in their startups. These investments rights, embedded in intellectual property licenses from the university, provide OUP with proprietary deal flow and rights-driven access into advanced technology investments funded by top-tier venture capital syndicates. OUP combines this unique rights-driven access with strong faculty and grad student relationships to invest in a broad range of university startups including licensed spinouts, open-source software opportunities, and other startups within the university entrepreneurial ecosystem.
OUP’s investments are comprised of a mix of seed, early, and late stage companies. We focus on all sectors of university-originated technology including network security, infrastructure software, AI / ML, computer hardware, robotics, advanced materials, energy, and more. In addition to its tech investment team, OUP has a dedicated life science investment team that invests in therapeutics, devices, and diagnostics. Our goal is to build a highly diversified portfolio across both sector and stage.
OUP recently raised its third fund of $273 million and now has over $600 million under management. Since 2008, OUP has invested in over 90 companies with multiple exits via M&A and IPO. We are located in Bala Cynwyd, PA, just outside the Philadelphia city limits.
Position Description
OUP is looking for a Principal to be based in Philadelphia with a strong background in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or other relevant technical areas, combined with a passion for exploring a broad range of technical sectors in which OUP invests. The Fund’s technology investing activities are focused on network security, infrastructure software, AI / ML, computer hardware, robotics, advanced materials, energy, and more.
OUP’s tech investment team currently includes one Managing Partner and two junior investment professionals. OUP also has a dedicated life science investment team. As a small team, OUP shuns hierarchy in favor of inclusiveness. The candidate will be integrally involved in all aspects of the fund, including deal sourcing, due diligence, portfolio company work, university relations, and overall fund strategy.
Day-to-day responsibilities include developing investment theses, sourcing new university spinouts, tracking the progress of existing start-ups from OUP’s university partners, leading diligence on active investment opportunities, managing relationships with universities, and monitoring portfolio company progress. Because of OUP’s small size, each team member is critical to the investment decision-making process. The Principal will gain exposure to companies in all sectors and at all stages and will be responsible for building relationships with the CEOs of these companies. The Principal will also frequently interact with other venture firms to discuss individual investment opportunities, share deal flow, and build awareness for OUP’s unique investment model.
OUP’s environment is vibrant, engaged, and curious. The group is a community of learners that has a deep commitment to the growth and education of its employees. OUP values a culture of exploration, fun, humility, and team orientation.
Experience Profile
Work experience
- 7-15 years of experience in one or more of the following types of businesses:
- Venture capital or other investment-oriented businesses
- Start-ups including roles in product development / product management, engineering, or business development
- Corporate technology development in a larger technology company
- Consulting with a strong engineering or software orientation
Educational experience
- Undergraduate and/or graduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or other related disciplines
- Demonstrated record of strong academic performance
Skill Set
- Passionate about technology and product development, with an interest in learning new scientific areas outside his/her comfort zone
- Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
- Strong relationship management skills, with a significant existing network
- Works well in a team
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
- Must be a critical thinker and possess rigorous analytical capabilities
- Strong work ethic, ability to be proactive and responsive in high-stakes situations
- Eagerness to travel
For the right individual, OUP provides a fantastic opportunity to join a novel venture capital firm employing a unique and proprietary model to generate superior returns. The Principal will be exposed to cutting edge technology and work closely with some of the world’s leading scientists from our partner universities.
Application Instructions
Please email your resume to Marc Singer at msinger@oup.vc.
