Senior Associate

M12 is the corporate venture capital arm of Microsoft focused on early-stage investments in Artificial Intelligence, B2B SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, DevOps, and Gaming/Web3. We’ve had the honor of backing and help build over 100 great companies since launching the fund in 2016. Critically, M12 supports our portfolio companies with value-added resources through special access to Microsoft’s platform and services. M12 is headquartered in San Francisco with additional team members in Seattle.

We’re seeking a Senior Associate to help build theses around current and new domains of interest, monitor the market, source deals, build relationships with top-tier investors, support the investment processes and due diligence, and assist our portfolio companies as a member of the investment team. We place a premium on diversity of ideas and are excited to add new perspectives to our team. We value accountability, continuous learning, inclusivity, teamwork, transparency, and trust.

Responsibilities

Research and Market Exploration

• Perform Continuous monitoring of market trends, industry news, and startup companies for potential investments in thematic areas supported by lead investor.
• Track specific venture capital (VCs), entrepreneurs, industry leaders, sector experts, research organizations, etc.
• Perform high-quality research and analysis on key market and industry trends in defined theme areas to develop new insights and opinionated views
• Help come up and promote new ideas and research activities in defined theme areas

Deal sourcing and support for Investment processes and Due Diligence

• Attend industry conferences, building relationships with startups and venture investors
• Source deals aligned to key themes and thesis areas for M12
• Assist with due diligence evaluation of all relevant areas including a solid analysis of risks and opportunities (technological, industrial, intellectual property, commercial, economic, financial, HR, legal, compliance);Financial and unit economics analysis, valuation modeling using multiple methods
• Document startup and investment team meetings
• Track and report on deal flow generated by our team
• Help preparing internal investment memos

Operational

• Responsibility for deal process materials to be completed and tracked, work consultatively with Analysts and Associates as well as Partners and Executive Leadership
• Manage various operations such as (a) metrics tracking (b) financial and operational KPI documentation and reporting (c) production of portfolio presentations for periodic reviews (d) internal investment and valuation tracking
• Generate content for signal exchange with executive leadership and other stakeholders including startup showcase meetings
• Help create media & thought leadership content based on the fund’s investments and market research
• Help to add value to our existing portfolio through research, introductions, and BD activities in partnership with our portfolio development team

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture, or related field AND 3+ years full-time experience in strategic consulting, investment banking, venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 1+ year(s) experience on a deal team.

Preferred qualifications

• Understanding of financial and business analysis, unit economics and valuation modeling using multiple methods.
• Knowledge of sector and market analysis; ideally has performed market competitive and consulting presentations and studies
• Critical thinking using superior research and analytical abilities
• Proficient writing, presentation, and verbal communication skills
• Experience managing multiple projects under compressed timeframes
• Ability to develop creative insights, recommendations, and solutions
• Ability to influence internal and external audiences, stakeholders using evangelism, partnership, and networking skills