Spike Ventures is a part of Alumni Ventures Group, a fast-growing organization with 100 employees across the country and a widespread, engaged community of over 400,000 entrepreneurs, investors, and supporters. We are disrupting financial services by bringing smart, simple venture capital to 15 million accredited investors who, until now, have not had a strong option for accessing the asset class. Our corporate headquarters in Manchester, NH provides back-office support and resources to our fund teams in Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Austin, TX. On an annual basis, these teams raise funds from their respective communities to invest in diverse, promising startups and growing businesses. Our key competitive advantage as an investor is the combined scale and connectivity of our vast network, our connected capital, which provides investment, sources deals and adds unique value for our portfolio companies. AVG has successfully launched 25 venture funds to date and will build another dozen or so funds over the next few years. We are private, for-profit, and not part of any school.
As AVG looks forward, we seek to grow and create value – with the goal of eventually becoming the most strategically valuable venture capital firm in the world. To that end, we are seeking a professional with fundraising and/or development experience and knowledge of the venture capital industry to serve as a Partner for Spike Ventures. The current Spike team consists of three people: the Managing Partner, a Principal and a Senior Associate who work together with AVG’s Office of Investment and corporate functions to raise, invest and manage funds for individual, accredited investors who are also alumni of Stanford. The newly appointed Partner will support Spike Ventures in reaching its potential by leveraging a network of Stanford alumni and AVG’s playbook to drive fundraising and will further serve as a team member by making meaningful contributions to the Spike’s sourcing, deal selection, and overall investing initiatives.
You’ll be joining a fast-paced, professional, and entrepreneurial environment where you’ll have input into the creation of a unique, diversified, fast-growing portfolio. You will be leveraging a well vetted playbook, back office support, and processes developed by Alumni Ventures Group to help in executing your role. You will report to the Spike Ventures Managing Partner and also work closely with the Spike Ventures’ Principal and Senior Associate to support fundraising and inform investing. This is a full-time position based in our San Francisco office. You will be a salaried employee of AVG, with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.
Requirements & Competencies
- 5 -10 years of professional experience and demonstrated success in a sales and/or business development in Financial Services (fundraising, sales, private wealth or investor relations), Tech Sales (B2B), or experience in other fast-paced consultative sales environments
- Identifiable passion for the venture capital industry and entrepreneurial ecosystem and working knowledge of the venture capital and broader investment industries, readily applicable to AVG and Spike Ventures’ development
- Demonstrated track record of consistently meeting/exceeding targets
- Ability and willingness to build relationships, and onboard sophisticated individual investors
- You must be energized by fundraising, building relationships, representing AVG’s product and investment methodology to prospective investors and cultivating a network of potential investors, startup founders and leadership teams and venture capitalists across the country
- Degree from Stanford University
- An MBA preferred, but not required
- Entrepreneurial DNA
Requirements for an Ideal Candidate
General
- Coachable, eager to learn new approaches, seeks feedback and readily applies learnings to the work to achieve greater results
- Adept to influencing and building relationships
- Energized by being client/prospect facing
- Thoughtful, engaging, energetic, and have a good attitude
- Excellent work ethic and professional demeanor
- Committed to increasing personal and professional knowledge and network within the startup community, the VC industry and AVG’s place in it
- Thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment
- Have excellent time management and organizational skills
- Demonstrated interest and experience in entrepreneurship and emerging companies
- Innovative and dynamic individual with a great track record of being a team player
- Strong communicator, and an even better listener
- Smart, creative thinker and problem-solver, fast learner, with demonstrated initiative
- Strong teamwork with HQ teams to achieve goals, compliance, and open communication
- Highly organized and detail-oriented, balanced by the ability to get and communicate the big picture
Fundraising
- Have a well-developed sales framework that you can apply at Alumni Ventures Group
- Strong fundraising skills and ability to excel in all aspects of holding meetings, taking calls, follow-up, closing
- Ability to quickly connect with a wide variety of people
- Active listening skills and high EQ
- Highly articulate and thoughtful with communications
- Skilled at working a large volume of warm B2C leads
- Experience organizing and tracking a sales pipeline within a CRM
- Experience and comfort with engaging UHNW individuals
Role / Responsibilities
- Serve as one of the faces of Spike Ventures, building community and connectivity with investors and community members
- Meet and exceed fundraising goals as communicated by Spike’s Managing Partner
- Work collaboratively with the Managing Partner to determine and execute on an effective strategy, utilizing AVG’s playbook to engage investors in Spike Ventures
- Network with Stanford alums in the venture community
- Serve as an expert in AVG’s product offering and investment methodology
- Support construction and evaluation of fund portfolio
- Actively manage a pipeline and opportunities for long-term success
- Leverage AVG’s technology resources, including the CRM and proprietary investor portals to manage a pipeline, record information and maintain meticulous records of your interactions with prospective investors
- Partner with the investor relations team to deliver on the AVG experience
- Provide continuous feedback to the Spike Ventures team and AVG’s Office of Investment on opportunities to improve our approach, process, products, and services
- Adhere to AVG policies and procedures regarding conduct, job performance, information management, and administrative functions, communicating appropriately regarding any need for exceptions.
- Contribute positively to AVG’s culture
IF interested, please apply here.
