Investment Analyst (Sustainability)
Do you have the vision, ambition, and determination to build and fund some of the most exciting sustainable companies of tomorrow? Cambridge Enterprise are looking for a sustainability-focused Investment Analyst to work with our Seed Funds team.
Cambridge Enterprise is the commercialisation arm of the University of Cambridge and is part of Europe’s most successful research and technology cluster. Our mission is to help University of Cambridge innovators, experts and entrepreneurs make their ideas and concepts more commercially successful for the benefit of society, the UK economy and the University.
Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds (CESF) is the venture investing arm of the University and sits at the heart of Cambridge Enterprise. We are responsible for finding, creating and funding spin-outs from the most exciting and innovative technology emerging from the University.
All our companies have the potential to change the world and make a difference. Our portfolio includes contains clean energy, sustainable materials, quantum computing, next generation batteries and optimisation software. The CESF team plays a vital part in translating the technology into commercial success and to date these spin-outs have gone on to raise more than £2bn from other investors.
This is a full-time role based at the University’s West Cambridge site at the Hauser Forum and will ideally be office-based for 3 days per week (or more if preferred).
Full time salary is from £35,000 – £40,000 based on individual’s skills and experience.
This position will remain open until filled.
The Role:
As an Analyst you will play a direct and crucial role in developing these emerging technology companies which can change the world for the better. You will develop a strong early-stage investment skillset in one of the world-leading University investment funds, and will be particularly focussed on a sustainability/ rapid decarbonisation portfolio.
You will be engaged in all parts of the investment process; deal generation, initial assessment, due diligence, writing investment papers and closing financing rounds. Working in a world-class seed fund team, you will have plenty of opportunity to learn from those around you.
A key part of the role will be finding the opportunities and assessing their potential. This will involve developing relationships with departments and their academics and working with them to build their opportunities.
How you’ll contribute:
Build investment opportunities:
Support the Sustainability investment lead to develop the deal flow in this critical sector
Conduct deep dives into emerging areas and markets; identify high impact areas of interest for the portfolio
Identify academic faculty with promising research programmes
Under the direction the investment lead, meet and work with Founders, CE team members and external advisors to develop the business and investment strategy, to build strong investment cases
Develop relationships with a network of potential co-investors to build high value-add investor syndicates
Help prepare entrepreneurs for Investment Committees; provide constructive feedback on pitch decks and business plans
Network across the Cambridge ecosystem to help develop, promote and accelerate deal flow in sustainability opportunities
Working with the investment lead, recommend investments and in each case prepare a rigorous investment case for the CE Investment Committee
Generate high-quality deal flow:
Build relationships with the academic base and Cambridge entrepreneurs across the physical sciences
Liaise and work with colleagues in the Cambridge Enterprise Technology Transfer office to identify University IP assets for spin-out opportunities
Identify and evaluate Cambridge related spin-out / start-up opportunities across the technology spectrum with particular focus on Sustainability / Rapid Decarbonisation opportunities
Identify and attend relevant talks, conferences and networking events
Help complete the deal:
Lead on investment due diligence including company technology, market analysis and investor syndicate
Support negotiations between the spin-out company and the investor syndicate
Become familiar with investment-related legal documentation; support the investment partner to finalise and execute these documents related to the portfolio
Help grow the company:
Support investment partner to identify potential commercial and non-executive director talent for the portfolio
Assist the funded companies to identify and recruit appropriate commercial team members
Attend board meetings – and once suitably qualified take up board positions (Director or Observer)
Build networks, manage relationships and information flow to facilitate access to capital and investment syndication for portfolio companies
Skills & experience:
Strong technical background with degree in the relevant physical science discipline.
Experience of commercialising technology, in either a technology transfer or commercial environment.
Strong financial skills.
Engages in ‘what-if’ thinking to consider future implications and weigh the benefits and risks attached with actions.
Ability to work with others to reach consensus decisions.
Uses sound judgement in making difficult decisions in a timely manner.
Works well as a team member, and actively seeks to cultivate a broad network of working relationships, paired with the ability to work independently.
Work with other members of the team to assess investment opportunities and decide if suitable for the Investment Committee
Work with members of the technology transfer team to assess whether inventions should be commercialised via a spin-out vehicle. Work with other members of CE on the process of completing spin outs whether or not CESF is an investor.
Evidence of drive, an ability to identify phases and activities needed to achieve goals, plus the ability to complete matters in a timely manner.
A high level of customer focus; articulate, with clear and demonstrable business sense.
Be accessible to members of the business community looking for management or investment opportunities. Actively introduce them to opportunities arising from Cambridge.
Provide feedback to academics and students on business plans and signpost to other sources of help if CESF doesn’t invest.
Desirable PhD in a relevant science discipline.
Exposure to University-derived technology companies with high growth potential.
A good understanding of several sectors within the relevant sciences.
Demonstrable experience related to sustainability/ rapid decarbonisation.
Bring financial and commercial expertise to bear on the evaluation of investment opportunities.
May have an understanding and experience of working with University Technology transfer offices to license IP or spin out new ventures.
Track record of sustainability focussed thinking.
Track record of successful, relevant achievements.
Relevant networks in academia and business.
These are our ideal requirements, but we know some people are less likely to apply for the role unless they are 100% qualified. We promote a diverse, inclusive and empowering culture at Cambridge Enterprise, so please apply if you meet the majority of these competencies.
Benefits:
We offer exceptional benefits and invest greatly in our team’s happiness, wellbeing, and growth. We are proud to have won a Platinum Award for being one of the best employers in the Eastern Region.
Our benefits include:
30 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
Generous University pension scheme with an employer contribution of 21.6% with 9.8% employee contribution
Flexible working environment with the opportunity to work from abroad for up to 90 days per year for most roles
Family friendly policies (including enhanced parental leave & childcare benefits, fertility leave, and pregnancy loss leave)
Mental health & wellbeing support
A commitment to personal development, including free access to LinkedIn Learning
Retail & travel discount cards and schemes
This is alongside a modern office space on the West Cambridge site (home to a thriving academic and research and development community) and the chance to work in a vibrant team in one of the world’s leading Technology Transfer offices.
Equal Opportunities Statement:
Cambridge Enterprise is an equal opportunity employer and will strive to reduce unconscious bias throughout our hiring process. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, veteran, neurodiversity status or disability status.
We endeavour to embrace diversity, and promote an inclusive environment for all employees, and actively work towards this with our EDI Working Group.
If you have any questions regarding the interview process, or if you need any reasonable adjustments to be made, please don’t hesitate to contact us at people@enterprise.cam.ac.uk.