Associate, Data & Machine Learning

About Upfront

Upfront Ventures is seeking an Investment Associate to join our team and work closely with our partners, portfolio, and the broader tech ecosystem.

Founded in 1996 and one of the most active early-stage funds in Southern California, we are currently investing out of our seventh early-stage fund and third early-growth fund, with close to 100 active portfolio companies and growing, including companies like GOAT, Writer, Cordial, and Rula (see our whole portfolio here).

*This opportunity is onsite at our (ocean-view) Santa Monica HQ

About the Role

The two year Associate program is designed to expose you to the full scope of a Lead VC Partner - from meeting entrepreneurs, sourcing investments, supporting portfolio companies - to building the firm-wide platform. The startup landscape and the VC industry is evolving faster than ever and you will be at the forefront of those changes.

Upon completion of the program, you will have gained strong points of view on technology shifts and the inner workings of startup operations at different stages, and have developed a wide and deep network across entrepreneurs, executives, and investors.

Our alumni have joined portfolio companies in management positions, launched their own startups, or continued their investment careers at other leading funds.

Responsibilities

• Market Research and Deal Diligence: Help identify and diligence investment opportunities, including meeting with entrepreneurs, understanding existing and new markets, talking with subject matter experts (SMEs), analyzing business/financial models, and conducting reference checks
• Deal Sourcing: Engage with entrepreneurs and the tech community to source new deals, attend industry events, and network
• Community Engagement: Host gatherings of founders, SMEs, and investors; representing Upfront at key industry events
• Platform Building: Develop content, research, and materials to enhance firm-wide processes; sharing insights internally and externally
• Portfolio Support: Help portfolio companies in hiring, follow-on financings, and strategic initiatives

Qualifications

• 2-4+ Years of Operator Experience: Background in data engineering or data science, ideally at a reputable startup or growth-stage company
• Analytical Skills: Strong quantitative and analytical capabilities with experience in evaluating and scaling tech solutions
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders
• Industry Expertise: ML research experience, side projects, and open source contributions are a plus!
• Investing Experience: Some experience in investing or scouting is a bonus
• Networking: Demonstrated relationship and network building online and offline
• Team Player: Collaborative mindset with a proactive and self-starter attitude
• Passion for Technology: A genuine interest and curiosity for emerging data and machine learning technologies
• Ownership: You take charge of your work, uphold your commitments, and never drop the ball

Next Steps

Interested in applying? If so, please fill out our short application form here. If the role is a match, we will reach out directly via email to begin the interview process.