Overview:
This role will advance Ajinomoto CVC’s investment and innovation activities by building a high-value investor, entrepreneur, and innovator network, sharing sector insights, and developing a brand communication strategy.
In parallel, he/she will drive potential investments, including deal sourcing, due diligence, post-portfolio management, and helping shape investment theses.
Qualifications:
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance, business, economics, engineering, or related field AND 8+ years strategic consulting, venture capital, private equity, investment banking and/or entrepreneurial ventures experience in biotech, food-tech, climate-tech, ICT or related industries.
8+ years of experience in communications strategy and technical PR.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Evaluate investment opportunities and make informed decisions about which startups to invest in and have strong analytical skills and be able to assess the potential risks and rewards of each investment.
Be skilled at negotiating deal terms and structuring investments and work collaboratively with entrepreneurs and other investors to reach mutually beneficial agreements.
Oversee the performance of the portfolio companies and ensure that they are meeting their targets and provide guidance and support to the portfolio companies as needed.
Lead and motivate a team of professionals to provide guidance and support to their team members and help them develop their skills.
Strong partnership skills, with the ability to work externally with network partners and portfolio companies as well as internally with cross-functional teams from idea through execution.
Adaptive leader
Responsibilities:
Identify investment opportunities through network and active outreach, lead due diligence and collaborate internally to complete an investment.
Support portfolio companies toward their next milestones, including network introduction and PR strategy guidance.
Expand and foster an ecosystem of investors, academic institutions, scientific research institutions, corporations, accelerators.
Gather valuable intelligence to sharpen investment theses by representing the team at conferences, networking events, and meetings.
Provide market and technology trend intelligence to support strategy development.
Develop an advisory network to elevate due diligence.
Lead a communications strategy to expand the reach and impact of the CVC, with the goal to position it as a leading voice within its verticals.
Execute on informative and forward-looking communications opportunities that leverage Ajinomoto and the CVC’s industry expertise, including speaking engagements, industry thought leadership, PR activities, and social media.