Spike Ventures, Alumni Ventures Group’s (AVG’s) fund for Stanford alumni and friends of the community, is seeking an experienced, full-time Partner who will serve as a leader of the Fund’s investing work – deal sourcing, researching, evaluating, and managing relationships with portfolio companies and fellow venture investors. Spike Ventures, which is currently launching its fourth fund, is a part of Alumni Ventures Group (AVG), which creates and manages venture capital funds for accredited investors seeking smart, simple access to diversified venture portfolios. In 2019, AVG was the third most active venture investor in the US.
The successful Partner at Spike Ventures will drive enhanced deal quality and improve co-investing opportunities for AVG Funds and investors. As a Partner of the Fund, you will work directly with the Managing Partner of Spike Ventures (located in NYC), and report jointly to both the MP and to AVG’s Investment Teams Board (comprised of AVG’s CEO, CIO, CCO and COO). The Spike Ventures team also includes a full-time Principal in the Bay Area, as well as dedicated fundraising and marketing support staff. This is a full-time position based in San Francisco, CA with some travel as defined by the iTeams Board for the successful execution of your responsibilities. (This role will begin remotely, but AVG’s Bay Area team plans to operate from a San Francisco office again in 2021 as public health allows.)
About Alumni Ventures Group
AVG’s purpose is to grow and engage with this inclusive community of teammates, investors, and entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and build a better future. Fueled by a disruptive business model and an innovative solution for an underserved market, Alumni Ventures Group (AVG) is growing rapidly, with roughly 100 employees working from locations in Boston, Chicago, New York City, the Bay Area, Austin, and a headquarters in Manchester, NH.
AVG provides accredited investors with a smart simple way to own high-quality, professionally-managed venture portfolios. AVG offers dozens of distinct funds, including: 16 Alumni Funds that support the entrepreneurial ecosystems of the alumni of top universities nationwide; Focused Funds that offer specific investment themes broadly to accredited investors; and Syndication investment Funds in individual start-up companies, and more. We are private, for-profit, and not affiliated with any school. AVG is a fast-paced work environment with a dedicated approach to growth and innovation that is centered on regular change, experimentation, learning (from both failures and successes), iteration, and continuous improvement.
Currently AVG manages over $500 million AUM; has invested in over 500 portfolio companies on behalf of thousands of accredited investors; and supports a widespread, engaged community of more than 500,000 stakeholders that includes investors, entrepreneurs, subscribers and community members. AVG typically co-invests with established venture firms and does not lead investment rounds or take board seats. Last year, AVG was the third most-active venture investor in the US.
Compensation
- Base Salary
- Carried Interest
- Equity in AVG
- Competitive Benefits
Basic Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree required; MBA or MS/MA preferred
- Significant VC investing experience across various sectors and stages
- Entrepreneurial DNA; broad operating background a plus
- Demonstrated experience in implementing and executing standardized business processes
- Alumnus or professional alumnus of the Stanford community preferred
Requirements for an Ideal Candidate
General
- Significant connections to and influence in the venture investing ecosystem. Ready and able to engage a network of venture and startup professionals who can provide you and Spike Ventures access to a high number of exceptional investing opportunities
- Strong ties to a number of academic and incubator communities at the leading edge of the startup scene
- Demonstrated interest in emerging technologies and innovation, as evidenced by a professional track record of meaningful involvement in the startup space and personal involvement with opportunities around cutting-edge technology
- Experience advising, consulting, and valuing emerging companies and/or new technologies
- Ability to quickly garner credibility, respect, and trust from complete strangers
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, balanced by ability to get and communicate big picture
- Experience successfully managing multiple, complex projects at the same time
- Excellent work ethic and professional demeanor
- Strong writer and communicator, excellent listener
- Strong teamwork with HQ teams to achieve goals, compliance, and open communication
Investing
- Track record of investing including significant venture deals sourced from a personal, professional network of venture and startup connections
- Knowledge and comfort with current events and trends impacting the venture investing ecosystem
- Exceptional financial and venture acumen:
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate venture investing opportunities
- Strong research and analytical skills, particularly venture investing
- Experience in company research and due diligence preparation
- Familiarity with deal structures and closing processes (ability to read, analyze, and assess term sheets)
- High level of gravitas and understanding of how the venture community functions and AVG’s place within it
- Domain expertise in one or more tech/startup sectors
Teamwork
- Track record of being able to build productive professional relationships
- Self-starter and independent manager, but good team player and personnel manager
- Smart, creative thinker and problem-solver, fast learner, with demonstrated initiative
- Experience communicating and collaborating with HQ/other teams to achieve goals, compliance, and open communication
- Assist in the coaching of junior resources
Community Building
- Superior relationship development/management skills with a comfort and desire to regularly interact with potential community members
- Track record of being able to build meaningful relationships with UHNW and HNW individuals
- Strong influence and connections within the Stanford community and university ecosystem
- Ability to be a leader in AVG’s Bay Area office and the company’s investments in the community.
Role / Responsibilities
- Help direct and manage the fund’s investment pipeline and management of deal opportunities, including managing due diligence
- Identify top-tier deal resources and conduct outreach to VCs, entrepreneurs, incubators, and additional entities as appropriate to help cement consistent deal flow for the fund and AVG
- Help research and evaluate each company and industry as a potential investment, including the company’s team, competitors, and customers
- Along with the Managing Partner, drive brand awareness and community growth, managing all relationships in a professional, courteous manner
- Establish, manage, and grow personal relationships throughout the venture community and beyond
- Educate deal sources, companies, and entrepreneurs about AVG’s process
- Be a leader in AVG’s Bay Area office and the company’s investments in the community.
- Along with the Managing Partner, manage the Investment Committee relationship:
- Recruiting IC members,
- Presenting companies to IC,
- Running AVG’s deal approval process,
- Orchestrating IC meetings (responding to IC, CIO and Investor questions, etc.)
- Leverage AVG’s Portfolio Services where appropriate, work to develop relationships and further opportunities with important companies across SV’s portfolio
- Meet or exceed regular, periodic goals as established through collaboration with AVG’s appropriate functional departments (Community, Office of Investments, Office of the CEO), including:
- Effectively utilizing the resources available via AVG corporate, both human (e.g., Principal, Venture Fellows, Interns, HQ functional departments) and operational (e.g., Deal Portal, HubSpot)
- Being an exceptional teammate and partner for the fund, your sibling funds, and colleagues
- Adhering to AVG policies and procedures regarding conduct, job performance, information management and administrative functions, communicating appropriately regarding any need for exceptions
- Working directly with the AVG portfolio companies to develop a strong relationship to facilitate future investment opportunities
- In coordination with the Managing Partner, develop investor relations and potential investor outreach as required
- Engage with and support our Fellows, provide mentorship and leverage their time to support fund activities
- Help supervise back-end functions as needed
- Suggest improvements to our approach, process, products, and services
- Be an exceptional teammate and partner for the fund, your sibling funds, and fellow colleagues
- Suggest improvements to our approach, process, products, and services to the iTeam Board
- Adhere to AVG policies and procedures regarding conduct, job performance, information management and administrative functions, communicating appropriately regarding any need for exceptions
IF interested, please apply here.
