Venture Development & Investor Relations Lead (Co-Founder Potential)

Venture Development & Investor Relations Lead (Co-Founder Potential)

About the Role

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to join our dynamic startup in a pivotal role focused on venture development and investor relations. This is an exceptional opportunity to work directly with the founder, driving critical fundraising initiatives and building strong, lasting relationships within the venture capital ecosystem. Operating onsite near Menlo Park, you will be instrumental in shaping our strategic fundraising initiatives and investor engagement processes, which are vital for the startup’s accelerated growth. Your contributions will directly impact our success and trajectory.

Location

Onsite, near Menlo Park, Silicon Valley.

Key Responsibilities

• Investor Engagement & Outreach: Actively participate in, and represent the startup at, investor meetings, pitch events, industry conferences, and networking gatherings throughout the Menlo Park and broader Silicon Valley area. Proactively conduct targeted outreach, meticulous relationship management, and timely follow-ups with angel investors, venture capitalists, and other key stakeholders.
• Fundraising Operations: Systematically organize and schedule high-priority investor meetings. Prepare compelling, customized outreach materials, investor decks, and pitch presentations. Coordinate all timely and professional communication to maintain strong engagement and momentum.
• Strategic Support: Provide essential assistance to the founder on various strategic initiatives, including in-depth market research, comprehensive competitive analysis, and focused communication efforts designed to support fundraising goals and broader business development.
• Stakeholder Liaison: Serve as a primary liaison between the founder and external parties, ensuring clear, consistent communication and strategic alignment across all interactions. You will provide critical “on-the-ground” intelligence and valuable feedback from investor interactions, directly contributing to the refinement of our fundraising tactics and overall corporate strategy.
• Professional Representation: Uphold the highest level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in all internal and external interactions, consistently acting as a trusted and reliable representative of the founder and the company.
• Cross-functional Initiatives: Support and contribute to various cross-functional initiatives related to fundraising reporting, ongoing investor communications, and the evolution of our corporate strategy.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Experience & Background: A highly motivated individual with proven experience within the startup or venture capital ecosystems. Demonstrable expertise in investor relations, fundraising processes, and a solid understanding of venture-backed company dynamics is essential.
• Network: Must be locally based in Silicon Valley with a robust, established network within the investor community.
• Passion & Drive: Possesses a genuine passion for the fast-paced, high-stakes startup world, coupled with exceptional resilience under pressure.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Exhibits outstanding clarity and confidence in communication, both written and verbal. Ability to build rapport and manage relationships effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic & Analytical Acumen: Capable of assisting with strategic initiatives, conducting research, and translating insights into actionable fundraising tactics.
• Autonomy & Proactiveness: A self-starter who can proactively identify opportunities, manage multiple tasks, and drive initiatives forward with minimal supervision.

Compensation & Growth Opportunities

This unique role offers flexible engagement models to suit exceptional talent:

• Short-Term Engagement: For individuals seeking immediate impact, performance-based stipends will be offered, explicitly aligned with the achievement of pre-defined milestones and objectives.
• Long-Term Partnership: For visionary candidates committed to our long-term success, a significant opportunity for equity compensation and substantial leadership potential is available. This includes the genuine possibility of evolving into a Co-Founder role, reflecting your integral contribution to the startup’s foundational success and exponential growth trajectory.