Role Description – Senior Investment Associate (Software) Department: Seed Funds Reports To: Investment Manager Background: Cambridge Enterprise has recognised a need to provide more support to early stage software based companies, both through pre-seed funding for first product development and through access to experienced mentors and service providers. This role is to develop and manage the process of providing this support. This is an entry level investment role, offering an opportunity to develop experience of technology investment within one of the leading technology seed funds in Cambridge. Support and development opportunities will be offered in a combination of ways including peer mentoring with the Investment Managers. Role Purpose: To work as a member of the Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds team (CESF) to provide support to members of the University of Cambridge who are founding software based companies, through four main activities: Promote Cambridge Enterprise services for software based companies, and Identify Cambridge University related software based investment opportunities across the technology spectrum. Develop and support a pool of high quality mentors with experience of software based companies for different market sectors Make pre-seed investments in emerging software companies (typically £10k investment), including managing a panel for investment decisions Support the funded companies as they move towards the next stage of company development. Main Responsibilities: Source potential investment opportunities from across the University through a variety of means including: Developing personal contacts with members of the University likely to develop technology that could benefit from seed funding in starting businesses Liaising with the Cambridge Enterprise Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Consultancy and Seed Fund teams and Departmental champions Reviewing entrants to the business plan competitions Reviewing press stories and departmental websites for interesting technologies Attendance at student society meetings. Build and maintain a network of external mentors and advisors with commercial software expertise who can help founding teams develop a successful business. Actively introduce them to opportunities arising from Cambridge.
Person Specification: Essential Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience Strong interest in entrepreneurship and investment Excellent interpersonal skills Experience of software development or otherwise in a software business A good understanding of the nature of different types of software based businesses A clear interest in and understanding of technology analysis and markets Articulate and literate Familiarity with a networked IT environment and standard software packages with experience using spreadsheets, databases and e-mail packages Experience of commercialising software, in either a technology transfer or commercial environment. Experience of the Cambridge entrepreneurial networks as evidenced by involvement with relevant innovation networks, eg CUE, CUTEC, or through experience in a start-up. Company Competencies Essential Desirable Ambition/ Effectiveness Evidence of an ability to identify phases and activities needed to achieve goals, plus the ability to complete matters in a timely manner. Track record of successful, relevant achievements Customer Focus A high level of customer focus; articulate, with clear and demonstrable business sense. Ability to relate credibly to software developers and company founders. Extensive, relevant networks in Cambridge Extensive, relevant networks in academia and business Team Working/ Flexibility Works well as a team member, and actively seeks to cultivate a broad network of working relationships, paired with the ability to work independently Decision Making Engages in ‘what-if’ thinking to consider future implications and weigh the benefits and risks associated with actions. Ability to work with others to reach consensus decisions. Uses sound judgement in making difficult decisions in a timely manner. financial and commercial expertise to bear on the evaluation of investment opportunities Problem Solving Evidence of problem-solving abilities – including anticipating issues that may occur and creating alternative solutions to deal with multiple contingencies Some knowledge of developing strategies to build effective company teams, developing credible commercial plans and