Principal
Alumni Ventures is a venture capital firm.
About Alumni Ventures
Founded in 2014, Alumni Ventures democratizes access to venture capital by sourcing and rigorously vetting startup investments, then offering diversified funds and deal-by-deal syndicates to accredited investors and institutions. Its platform spans multiple sectors, stages, geographies, and investment themes, including AI, healthcare, deep tech, fintech, blockchain, and digital assets. AV also operates investing clubs and AV Academy, and supports portfolio companies through co-investment, founder networking, recruiting, customer introductions, events, and other platform services.
Skills
Candidate Availability
Required and preferred rules are kept separate and reflect the wording in the original posting.
About the Role
The role joins Alumni Ventures’ Japan-based investment team, focusing on sourcing and evaluating Seed-stage opportunities in Japanese and Asian startups, coordinating diligence and transactions, supporting portfolio companies, and developing the firm’s regional investment presence. The position is based in Tokyo and requires a five-day in-office work culture, Japan work authorization, Japanese and English fluency, and travel across Japan, Asia, and periodically the United States.
Requirements
- 7+ years of experience in venture capital, investment banking, consulting, corporate strategy, or an early-stage startup environment.
- Knowledge of the Japanese startup ecosystem; broader Asian startup-market familiarity is a plus.
- Experience in or exposure to the US venture capital ecosystem is preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- Strong analytical ability in evaluating early-stage business models and technologies.
- Professional fluency in Japanese and English.
- Professionalism and judgment when representing Alumni Ventures externally.
- Entrepreneurial mindset, independence, and comfort in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- Fluency with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity, with demonstrated daily workflow integration.
- Authorization to work in Japan at application and throughout employment.
- Deep knowledge of Japanese startup ecosystem networks and market dynamics.
- Willingness to work in a five-day-a-week in-office culture and travel within Japan, Asia, and periodically internationally.
Responsibilities
- Identify and source high-potential Seed-stage investment opportunities across Japan and select Asian markets.
- Build relationships with founders, investors, funds, incubators, accelerators, universities, LPs, and other ecosystem participants.
- Generate deal flow through sourcing partners and maintain an organized investment pipeline.
- Use AI-powered research and intelligence tools for deal sourcing, market research, screening, diligence, and memo preparation.
- Represent Alumni Ventures at industry events, conferences, pitch competitions, and ecosystem gatherings.
- Conduct first-round screening, including founder interviews, product review, market assessment, and competitive analysis.
- Evaluate teams, traction, market size, business models, and technology differentiation.
- Prepare structured investment summaries, preliminary analysis, investment memos, and internal materials.
- Coordinate financial, legal, and market-validation diligence with US-based investment professionals.
- Assist with structuring and executing investment transactions.
- Maintain portfolio company relationships and support founders after investment.
- Evaluate follow-on investments and monitor portfolio performance metrics.
- Help founders access international capital and growth opportunities.
- Develop market intelligence on Japanese and Asian Seed-stage ecosystems.
Benefits
- Annual corporate bonus.
- Carry potential.
- Comprehensive benefits package.
- Flexible, employee-first benefits program supporting health, financial well-being, and life outside work.
