Ventures Associate @ Plug and Play Tech Center in Indianapolis

WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR

The Life Tech Ventures Associate will be a critical member of the Plug and Play team, responsible for driving the scouting, sourcing, and due diligence of life sciences startups for the Life Tech Accelerator at IU LAB. This role will play a pivotal part in identifying groundbreaking innovations, engaging with founders, and connecting them with our corporate partners and investment opportunities.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong scientific background (Ph.D. preferred), a deep understanding of the life sciences landscape, and a passion for entrepreneurship and venture capital.

• Startup Sourcing & Scouting
  • Proactively identify and scout high‑potential life sciences startups aligned with the Life Tech Accelerator’s focus areas (drug discovery, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, etc.) through market research, industry events, academic institutions, and investor networks.
  • Build and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified startups for accelerator batches and corporate dealflow sessions.
• Startup Vetting & Due Diligence
  • Conduct initial assessments and in‑depth due diligence on prospective startups, evaluating their technology, market potential, team, and business model.
  • Prepare detailed investment memos and presentations for internal Plug and Play investment committees and corporate partners.
• Founder & Investor Relations
  • Act as a primary point of contact for founders during the scouting and selection process, building rapport and trust.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with angel investors, venture capital firms, and other funding sources in the life sciences sector.
• Corporate Engagement & Dealflow Management
  • Collaborate with the Plug and Play team to understand corporate innovation needs and facilitate targeted introductions between startups and corporate partners.
  • Manage dealflow sessions, ensuring relevant startups are presented effectively to corporate partners.
• Ecosystem Engagement
  • Actively participate in the Indianapolis and broader Indiana life sciences ecosystem, building relationships with universities (especially Indiana University), research institutions, hospitals, and industry associations.
  • Represent Plug and Play at relevant industry events, conferences, and meetups.
• Program Support
  • Support the Life Tech Program Manager in various aspects of accelerator batch execution, including mentorship matching, workshop coordination, and expo preparation.
  • Contribute to the overall strategy and growth of the Plug and Play Indiana offices.

• Ph.D. in a Life Sciences discipline (e.g., Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, Neuroscience, Genetics) is highly preferred.
• 1-3 years of experience in venture capital, startup operations, technology transfer, business development, or a related role within the life sciences industry is a strong plus.
• Strong understanding of the drug discovery, medical device, and/or digital health landscapes.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and evaluate early‑stage technologies and business models.
• Excellent analytical, research, and communication (written and verbal) skills.
• Proactive, self‑motivated, and able to work independently as well as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong networking and relationship‑building abilities.
• Passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and making an impact in the life sciences.
• Must be willing to work on‑site in Indianapolis, Indiana.