Investment Principal - M12

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, B2B SaaS 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 Partner to join our growing team, with a particular emphasis on B2B SaaS and AI as areas of focus.

M12 is not your typical Corporate Venture Capital (CVC). 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, B2B SaaS and Web3 & Gaming.

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

As an Investment Principal - M12, you will play a key role in sourcing, evaluating, and closing deals. You will also work closely with our portfolio companies and Microsoft internal stakeholders to provide strategic guidance and value-added services. You may have the opportunity to manage early in career investors and mentor them in all aspects of venture investing. Every leader on our team is a “player / coach” – meaning you are a individual contributor, with attention to detail and willingness to get into the weeds, build your own models, make your own diligence calls, while also managing and mentoring earlier in career investors on a deal team.

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.

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 2-3 investments (Series A, B) per calendar year; support investing team on additional investments.
• Use Industry Connections and Generate Deal Flow
  • Use 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 and potentially manage 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.

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, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics Architecture, or related field AND 6+ years strategic consulting, investment banking, venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience
  • OR Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, Architecture, or related field AND 5+ years strategic consulting, investment banking, venture capital, building technology, product management, and/or enterprise entrepreneurial ventures experience
  • OR equivalent experience.
• 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.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here:

Microsoft will accept applications and processes offers for these roles on an ongoing basis.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with applicable law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.