VC Principal @ M12 in San Francisco, CA

M12; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 133,700 - 219,200; Full time

Job summary

VC Stack is seeking an Investment Principal to join our San Francisco team focusing on Frontier AI Software and Systems. In this role, you'll develop investment strategies, evaluate and execute investments, and collaborate closely with Microsoft’s portfolio companies.

Ideal candidates will have a degree in a related field, extensive experience in venture capital or strategic consulting, and a strong understanding of market trends in technology. We value diversity and are committed to building a cohesive team with varied perspectives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in strategic consulting or venture capital.
• 3+ years on a deal team with leadership experience.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in AI technology is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and develop investment strategies in key thesis areas.
• Drive completion of multiple investments annually.
• Lead rigorous deal diligence and create investment memos.

Skills

Strategic consulting

Investment banking

Venture capital

Technical analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or related field

Master’s Degree in Business Administration

Job description

Overview

Are you interested in finding and funding the next big thing in technology? Do you have an eye for spotting emerging trends in AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools and Web3 & Gaming? Do you want to work with a diverse and dynamic team of venture capitalists who share your vision and values?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you might be the perfect fit for M12, Microsoft’s corporate venture capital fund. We are looking for an Investment Principal to join our growing team, who will focus on Frontier AI Software and Systems.

M12 is not your typical Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) fund. We are backed by one of the world’s leading technology companies, Microsoft, and we leverage its resources, network, and expertise to support our portfolio companies. We invest in early-stage startups (primarily Series A and B) across 6 thesis areas AI, Cloud Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools and Web3 & Gaming.

We have a track record of success having funded over 100 companies, including 15 unicorns and 6 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Some of our recent exciting investments include Armada, Unsloth, Inworld, HiddenLayer, SGNL, and Typeface.

As an Investment Principal – M12, you will play a key role in sourcing, evaluating, and executing deals in your primary thesis area and others. You will also work closely with our portfolio companies and Microsoft internal stakeholders to provide strategic guidance and value-added services. Every investor at M12 will work both as an individual contributor and a member of a deal team, showing attention to detail and willingness to get into the weeds, build your own models, make your own diligence calls, while also managing and mentoring investors who are earlier in their careers.

At M12, we value diversity and welcome new perspectives to our team. We believe that a culture of accountability, continuous learning, inclusivity, teamwork, transparency, and trust are essential for our success. We are looking for people who share our passion and mission to accelerate the future of technology through strategic investments and meaningful partnerships with Microsoft.

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Architecture, or related field AND 5+ years strategic consulting, investment banking, venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience
  • OR Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture, or related field AND 3+ years strategic consulting, investment banking, venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 3+ years’ experience on a deal team, including sourcing and leading your own investment(s).

Additional or Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, AND 5+ years venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience particularly in AI technology
• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, with emphasis in Finance, Business Strategy, and/or Consulting
• 5+ years leading experience in investment deals and 2+ years’ experience leading exits AND experience sitting on 1 to 2 boards or as a board observer.
• Experience working with and/or advising entrepreneurs in areas of product development, Go to Market, Operations, etc.
• Demonstrated ability and desire to navigate and collaborate in a large matrixed, complex organization; capable of pushing through real or perceived barriers to influence internal and external audiences and stakeholders
• Strategic thinker, with an understanding of market trends, an interest for technical and market analysis, and a capable writer and visual creator (presentations, slides) comfortable with presenting to C-level executives.

Corporate Ventures IC4 – The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $103,800 – $200,300 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $133,700 – $219,200 per year.

Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay

Microsoft will accept applications for the role until April 4, 2025.

Responsibilities

Define Strategy for Investment Thesis and Make Investments

• Define and develop the investment strategy for one or more key thesis area(s) by performing market research and analysis. Utilize insights from industry experts (including founders, venture capitalists, executives) to evaluate market opportunities, including long-term potential, unfulfilled customer and user needs, market dynamics, and competitive landscape.
• Drive to completion 3+ investments (Series Seed, A, B) per calendar year; support investing team on investments and drive deals through process without direct supervision

Use Industry Connections and Generate Deal Flow

• Your industry network to drive deal sourcing and nurture executive relationships within startup and venture ecosystems, ensuring a high volume of sourcing opportunities.
• Proactively identify, evaluate, and engage with companies with potential for investment to generate deal flow for top-tier deals.

Deal Diligence

• Lead and conduct rigorous diligence including reviewing financial models, building exit analyses, interviewing customers, founders, executive management, analyzing Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, market sizing, etc.
• Create investment deal memo based on extensive 1st-party and 3rd-party research analysis.
• Drive deals to successful conclusion by engaging collaboratively with cross functional colleagues (legal, finance, treasury).

Support Portfolio Companies and Collaborate with Microsoft Colleagues

• Contribute to portfolio companies’ growth by assisting in executive recruitment, fundraising, and guiding the company through the initial building phase (Go-To-Market, Product Business development).
• Serve as board observer or board director on 3+ M12 portfolio companies
• Establish trusted relationships and confidently interact with Microsoft executives, delivering presentations on relevant industry trends, competitive landscapes, etc.

Org Leadership

• Coach, mentor early in career investors.
• Evangelize M12 internally and externally as a thought leader in 1-2 thesis areas via industry events, press interviews, blog posts and in interactions with Microsoft executives

Other

• Embody our culture and values