Growth Equity Investor @ Lightbank in Chicago, IL

Lightbank; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

VC Stack is seeking an investment professional to join its Growth Equity team in Chicago. The role involves leading due diligence, building financial models, and developing relationships with founders and executives. Candidates should have a background in investment banking or similar fields and display strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills.

The position offers clear advancement opportunities and the chance to work directly with successful founders and investors.

Qualifications

• Strong quantitative toolkit, including advanced Excel modeling and SaaS metrics.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial mindset with relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical due diligence and build comprehensive financial models.
• Develop and manage sourcing pipeline through authentic relationships.
• Partner with portfolio companies to monitor performance and refine KPIs.

Skills

Advanced Excel modeling

Unit economics

SaaS metrics

Market mapping

Customer/market interviews

Education

2–4 years of experience in investment banking, growth equity, private equity, or top-tier consulting

Job description

Lightbank | Growth Equity Investor

Job Brief

Lightbank, a Chicago-based venture firm with a track record of backing category-defining companies, is seeking a highly analytical and entrepreneurial investment professional to join its Growth Equity team. You will play a central role in building Lightbank’s new Growth Fund, focused on Series A–C investments in ambitious software, AI, and technology-enabled businesses across the Midwest, coasts, and beyond.

This is a rare opportunity to join a small, dynamic team with the resources of an established franchise but the mindset of a startup. The role combines private-equity style diligence with venture creativity: technical and financial analysis, market sizing, founder and customer validation, and proactive deal sourcing.

We are looking for self-starters who thrive in unstructured environments, can own analyses end-to-end, and want to build long-term careers in growth equity. Lightbank’s philosophy is to promote Partners from within.

Who is Lightbank

We aim to be the preeminent venture capital franchise between the coasts. While based in Chicago, we invest nationally and globally wherever ambitious founders are building great companies. Our past winners span Chicago (Tempus, Sprout Social, Tastyworks), Silicon Valley (Udemy), and other hubs across North America (Boom, Expel, SnapTravel).

We respect the role of the founder. The most important part of our job is to identify, partner with, and support great entrepreneurs. Our General Partners have built companies that raised over $3 billion in venture capital and created tens of billions of dollars in equity value. That operator DNA gives us credibility with both founders and LPs, and it informs how we evaluate, win, and support investments.

With the launch of our Growth Fund, Lightbank is extending this approach into later-stage, scaling businesses. The fund is led by Anish Aggarwal, who joined Lightbank as a Partner after investing at Vista Equity Partners, Insight Partners, and most recently as part of the founding venture/growth team at Alkeon Capital, a $25B+ crossover public/private investor. At Alkeon, Anish invested in high-growth startups such as Databricks, Armis, Navan, Verkada, AlphaSense, Drata, Snyk, Hotmart, Groww, and Harness, with notable exits including Moveworks ($3B acquisition by ServiceNow), OwnBackup / Own (2B acquisition by Salesforce), and Hinge Health (NYSE: HNGE). This role will work directly with Anish and the broader Lightbank partnership across sourcing, diligence, and portfolio engagement.

Responsibilities

Investment Diligence & Analysis

• Lead technical due diligence including retention and cohort analysis, churn dynamics, CAC/LTV reviews, gross margin sustainability, and P&L reviews.
• Build and own comprehensive financial models (SaaS/unit economics, scenario analyses, sensitivity testing, valuation/re-rating frameworks).
• Conduct qualitative diligence: TAM sizing (bottom-up and top-down), customer interviews, reference calls, competitive benchmarking, and synthesis of industry research.
• Prepare clear, data-driven investment memos for the Investment Committee.

Deal Sourcing & Network Development

• Develop and manage your own sourcing pipeline by building authentic relationships with founders, executives, bankers, and co-investors.
• Actively engage with the founder and investor community at conferences, events, and through direct outreach.
• Track sector developments and originate thematic investment theses to drive proprietary deal flow.

Portfolio Engagement

• Partner with portfolio companies post-investment to monitor performance, refine KPI tracking, and support operational or financial projects.
• Assist with fundraising preparation, board materials, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Serve as a versatile resource to founders navigating the challenges of scaling.

Firm Contribution

• Support firm operations, including pipeline tracking, deal execution processes, and LP reporting.
• Contribute to fundraising efforts through data-driven materials, performance analysis, and investor communication
• Help shape the culture, tools, and processes of Lightbank’s growth equity platform.

Opportunities

• Advancement potential within a fast-scaling franchise, with a clear runway to Partner for top performers.
• Direct exposure to world-class founders, CEOs, and co-investors.
• Cross-training across venture, private equity, and public markets methodologies.
• Freedom to develop sector theses and originate your own deals.
• High independence and ownership from day one, with mentorship from experienced investors and operators.

Requirements

• 2–4 years of prior experience in investment banking, growth equity, private equity, or top-tier consulting.
• Strong quantitative toolkit: advanced Excel modeling, unit economics, SaaS metrics, and valuation fluency.
• Strong qualitative toolkit: customer/market interviews, TAM frameworks, market mapping, and industry research.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex analysis into clear insights.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a demonstrated ability to hustle, source, and build relationships.
• Passion for technology, software, AI, and entrepreneurship.
• High integrity, strong work ethic, and a long-term orientation.

If interested, please tell us what your favorite growth-stage startup is, and why it might completely fail. Email [e-mail]