VC Associate @ Distributed Ventures in Chicago, IL

Position Summary

As an Associate, you’ll be exposed to bleeding edge innovations across our focus verticals and support all parts of the deal process, including developing compelling investment theses based on market trends and subject matter expert interviews, meeting with founders and sourcing deals, conducting due diligence on potential opportunities, and supporting portfolio companies after investment.

Location preference will be for Chicago (hybrid position).

• Preferred candidate has 2 years of prior venture capital investing experience, with previous investment banking or consulting experience.
• Proven track record of sourcing, evaluating, and supporting execution of early-stage venture investments.
• Obsession with identifying next big thing market opportunities in contexts with imperfect information, often creating anti-consensus, high conviction investment theses.
• Passionate about entrepreneurship and technology, constantly thinking of ideas that are changing the world and loving to support founders in achieving their visions.
• Intellectually curious, asking deep questions and exploring all pathways to reach an answer.
• Encourages critical thinking and drives to the “so what” when dealing with complex data while navigating unknowns.
• Can work independently and proactively prioritize time toward the most value-added tasks.
• Detail‑oriented and skilled at catching things others miss.
• Humble, honest, perceptive and thoughtful.

• Deal Sourcing
  • Source vertical and stage‑appropriate opportunities through networking and events.
  • Prioritize and manage the deal pipeline.
  • Research the product, market and competitors for select deals.
• Investment
  • Conduct financial analyses (including waterfall, pro forma cap tables, projected financials) to determine risk and return profiles.
  • Prepare investment memos for review by the investment committee.
• Portfolio Support
  • Provide support to portfolio companies as needed.
  • Monitor portfolio company performance and milestones.
• Platform
  • Stay ahead of trends, technologies, and market dynamics, especially in the verticals we invest in.
  • Help develop investment themes and expand the fund’s strategic knowledge database.
  • Participate in fund operations and platform needs.

• Target base salary of $90‑120K plus competitive bonus.
• Full benefits, including medical, dental, vision and 401(k) match.
• Flexible time off policy.
• Note:
  
  unfortunately we cannot sponsor visas at this time.