Venture Specialist for the West Coast

Join a globally recognized, innovative automotive company as a CVC/VC Analyst in the West Coast region. You’ll help identify and invest in startups aligned with the company’s goals of carbon neutrality, advanced mobility, and future ecosystems.

This role suits junior professionals with 2–4 years in VC or CVC, particularly those experienced in sourcing and closing deals, and eager to grow in a technically driven environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Investment (~70%)

• Source, identify, and lead investment opportunities independently.
• Collaborate with Japan-based technical units on startup relevance.
• Manage end-to-end investment lifecycle and post-investment involvement.
• Support collaborations even when deals don’t proceed.

Network Expansion & Ecosystem Engagement (~30%)

• Build a strong VC/CVC network and enhance West Coast brand visibility.
• Lead internal investment processes and pitch high-quality opportunities.
• Act as point of contact for portfolio companies and internal collaborations.
• Attend 5–10 ecosystem events/quarter and actively engage in 2+, and represent the company at key events, panels, and startup programs.

Required Skillset

• 2–4+ years’ experience in CVC or VC, with direct deal sourcing and execution.
• Deep-tech investment experience required.
• Bachelor’s in a technical field (Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, etc.).
• Experience pairing startups with business units or in corporate innovation.
• Familiar with sectors like Mobility, Energy, Climate Tech, Robotics, AI, etc.
• Strong technical ramp-up ability, communication, and organizational skills.
• Comfortable with cross-cultural work, especially with Japan-based teams.

Bonus Skills

• Background in corporate open innovation and startup sourcing.
• Familiarity with Japanese business culture.
• Master’s or MBA a plus.
• Experience using PitchBook, Crunchbase, or ecosystem tools.