Investment Director

Overview

Company: Cambridge Future Tech: Future Tech VC
Location: Cambridge and London
Role (part-time / full time): Full-Time
Application deadline: 30 December 2024

• Introduction 

  Cambridge Future Tech (CFT) is a technology-first venture builder working to commercialise nascent technologies from top-tier UK universities and corporate research groups. CFT focuses on DeepTech with strong commercial applications in massive global markets, all underpinned by world class teams. 

  CFT was founded in late 2020 and has since created 15 ventures; in total, these companies have created dozens of new jobs, filed multiple patents, and raised many millions of pounds in funding. The CFT portfolio spans a wide range of technology areas, from semiconductors and robotics to advanced materials and synthetic biology.

  Future Tech VC is a newly launched £100 million VC fund, uniquely positioned as a sister fund to Cambridge Future Tech (CFT). We’re focused on transformative early-stage DeepTech investments across the UK, with exclusive access to groundbreaking IP from top UK universities and corporate research groups. Future Tech VC leverages CFT’s extensive tech scouting and venture-building expertise, offering limited partners a unique opportunity to invest in disruptive technologies with world-changing potential.

  Future Tech VC will invest in CFT portfolio companies and select external ventures focused on DeepTech, including decarbonization, future of compute and energy storage. By unlocking the full potential of new technologies spun-out from research environments, the Fund will build the next generation of world-changing DeepTech companies.

• Position Description

  We seek an experienced Investment Director to spearhead Future Tech VC’s investment strategy and manage its growing portfolio. Reporting to the fund’s leadership, the Investment Director will oversee all aspects of sourcing, evaluating, and managing investments. This senior role requires deep expertise in venture capital, specifically in DeepTech, and the ability to foster high-impact relationships within CFT’s ecosystem and beyond. The Investment Director will ensure Future Tech VC maximises its role as a critical bridge between pioneering technologies and global markets.

• Key Role Responsibilities

  • Investor Relations: Lead capital-raising initiatives, building and nurturing relationships with potential LPs and co-investors. Develop the data room and update fund materials with the support of the Future Tech team.

  • Investment Strategy & Execution:
    Develop and execute Future Tech VC’s investment strategy, targeting early-stage DeepTech companies with high-growth potential. This includes conducting due diligence, selecting investment opportunities, and managing the full investment lifecycle.

  • Stakeholder & LP Engagement:
    Build and maintain strong relationships with LPs, academic partners, and industry leaders. Represent Future Tech VC at industry events, conferences, and investor meetings, ensuring that Future Tech VC and CFT’s unique value propositions are well-communicated.

  • Portfolio Management:
    Oversee performance and growth of both CFT-sourced ventures and external investments. Collaborate closely with portfolio founders and technical teams to help achieve their commercial and technical milestones.

  • Due Diligence & Evaluation:
    Lead comprehensive due diligence for new investments, preparing detailed investment recommendations for the Investment Committee and presenting findings with CFT-backed insights. Engage with co-investment partners to enhance portfolio diversification.

  • Thought Leadership & Market Analysis:
    Contribute to Future Tech VC’s position as a thought leader by staying informed on market trends and emerging technologies. Publish insights and represent Future Tech VC as an expert on the UK’s DeepTech investment landscape.

  • Team Leadership & Development:
    Mentor and support junior team members, fostering an environment of collaboration and high standards for due diligence, analysis, and relationship management.

• Ideal Candidate Experience

  • 10+ years of venture capital experience including exits, with a focus on DeepTech or high-growth technology sectors.

  • Proven ability to lead investment strategies, with a strong track record in early-stage DeepTech or impact investments.

  • Advanced degree in business, finance, engineering, or a related field (MBA, MSc, or PhD preferred).

  • An extensive network within the VC, corporate innovation, and academic communities.

  On top of this, the fast-changing environment around start-ups means that ideal candidates should also be able to demonstrate the following more general skills:  

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, including managing multiple projects simultaneously 

  • Resilience under pressure 

  • Excellent relationship & rapport building, and networking within the wider ecosystem, including building relationships with multiple different types of stakeholders at once 

  • Creative thinking, problem solving, and a drive to develop compelling innovative solutions to dynamic problems 

  • Understanding of start-up processes, including regulatory and legal constraints 

  • Excellent presentation and communication skills 

• What we offer

  • Competitive salary and benefits, including private healthcare.

  • Flexible work environment with home and office options (minimum three days per week in Cambridge).

  • Exposure to pioneering technologies with the potential to make a global impact.

  • Domestic and international travel to represent Future Tech VC and foster relationships within the investment community.

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Notes

Should you feel your experience is not perfect for what we are looking for, but you remain interested, please still get in touch. Cambridge Future Tech is always looking for people who can get involved with and add value to our ventures.