TDK Ventures, Inc. is a corporate venture capital fund that invests in startups to bolster innovation in material science, energy/power and related areas typically underrepresented in venture capital portfolios. Established in 2019 as a wholly owned subsidiary of TDK Corporation, the corporate venture fund’s vision is to propel the digital and energy transformations of segments such as next-generation transportation, robotics, mixed reality, health and wellness, and the wider industrial / IoT markets. TDK Ventures will co-invest and support promising portfolio companies by providing technical expertise and access to global markets where TDK operates.
ROLE
TDK Ventures is currently seeking a full-time associate with a technical / scientific background to serve as a key member of the investment team. We are looking for a highly motivated and talented individual to join the investment team in San Jose, CA. This person will ideally have a deep technical background with strong business acumen and help research, source, screen, diligence, invest and assist the next cohort of world-changing technology companies. The associate would report to the Managing Director and would be involved in all aspects of the business. We are looking for someone who is a motivated and enthusiastic self-starter who works on own initiative with light supervision. The candidate must be confident and positive, high-energy, cultured, capable of easily interacting with senior management of a large multinational organization. This role requires the candidate to have a degree in a relevant science, technology, or engineering discipline in addition to relevant work experience in a related field. The successful associate will be passionate about science and technology and will be enthusiastic about getting into the details of how a technology works in addition to explaining it to others.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Market Research: Identify new investment trends and opportunities by performing market research in frontier technology areas (Robotics, Advanced Manufacturing, AI, IoT, Healthtech, Cleantech, 5G, Mobility, Neuromorphic Computing, Quantum Computing, etc.)
- Analyze new investment opportunities by working with the team to create start-up ecosystem maps
- Perform top down and bottom up market research that includes customer and key stakeholder analysis
Deal Screening: call and/or meet with prospects, evaluate start-up opportunities
- Screen deal flow, perform due diligence by understanding technology, intellectual property analysis, and financial analysis
- Execute new and/or follow-on financings, including deal structuring and financial modeling
Technology Research: Research and talk with TDK experts and technical/business consultants to evaluate the target company’s technology including IPs
· Perform research and analysis of new markets, technologies, competitive landscape, and share findings to the team
Assist in the preparation of internal investment memos:
- Evaluate and perform due diligence on potential investment opportunities, including preparing investment memos
- Benchmark company metrics (engagement, retention, growth, scale, etc.)
- Review the underlying technology and perform independent competitive analysis
- Compare and evaluate products
QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate for this position must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The qualifications and working conditions listed below are representative of those required for the position.
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in a relevant science, engineering, or technology discipline. This is a requirement.
- MBA preferred
- At least 2 years relevant science, engineering, or technology work experience. This is a requirement.
- 1-2 years of relevant investment experience is a plus (venture capital, private equity, corporate development, investment banking, startup)
- Interest in working with early-stage businesses focused on material science, energy/power, biomedical, and related areas typically underrepresented in venture capital portfolios
- Outstanding analytical skills, detail-oriented, proactive and self-motivated with ability to articulate ideas in group setting
- Strong experience in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
- Ability to interpret scientific data and provide relevant conclusions/recommendations
- Excellent project management, organizational skills, and technical know-how
- Experience with creating start-up market landscapes and investment valuation, financial modeling techniques
- Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills with proven ability to develop and maintain effective business partner relationships
If interested, please apply here.
