Venture Capital Principal

Come join Connecticut Innovations (CI) as a Principal (possibly Director) primarily supporting our Technology Fund with opportunities to support other CI Venture Funds!

Connecticut Innovations (CI)

As Connecticut's strategic venture capital arm and one of the most active investors on the eastern seaboard, CI has a portfolio of 220 companies across various industries, with strengths in life sciences, technology and climate tech. CI meets with hundreds of companies every year, identifying the most promising early-stage companies looking to grow in the state. Every year, CI invests in 20 new companies, in addition to providing follow-on capital to existing portfolio companies. CI also invests as a Limited Partner in outside venture funds based in CT (17 in the past 6 years).

• CI has invested $700 million in innovative startups since 1995
• CI’s leveraging power is 10X, or $7 billion

CI announced it invested $45.8 million in 67 companies and venture funds throughout the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. CI’s investments also helped to attract an additional $653 million in outside capital into its portfolio companies. The fiscal year generated $43.2 million in proceeds, which will allow CI to invest in more early-stage companies in the future.

Our culture is vibrant, diverse, collaborative, and inclusive. We embrace perspective and have mission alignment on our impact to Connecticut’s innovation ecosystem. We host or participate in over 20 ecosystem events per year, and our headquarters at The District in New Haven is a catalyst for partnership and an innovation ecosystem community hub.

Connecticut Technology Fund

Our Technology Fund has provided more than $140 million to date to Connecticut’s promising high-tech companies (140 ), with a focus on FinTech, InsurTech, SaaS and PaaS early-stage companies. We have realized over $135 million in proceeds from our investments in this Fund. We have also attracted companies to Connecticut from both coasts and as far away as Europe!

Venture Capital (VC) Principal

All Venture Team members play a pivotal role as part of the investment due diligence process and post-investment, as part of scaling the portfolio company. As an organization, we embrace diversity of thought, listen with an open mind, think big and concretely, and invest with the mission in mind.

This role helps execute our investment strategy by researching promising technology markets. They also participate in all phases of the investment process including due diligence, meetings with management, focused company and industry research, financial modeling, writing investment recommendations, and supporting CI portfolio companies as board observers.

Candidates should be self-starting, curious, flexible and have knowledge of financial statements, business plans and other financial and legal documents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or the equivalent
• MBA or master’s degree
• Work or internship experience in market research, management consulting, venture capital or investment management
• Work experience operating in a high-growth, early-stage AI, Quantum, Deep Tech, FinTech, InsurTech, SaaS and PaaS company
• Experience as a Founder preferred, but not required

Responsibilities

• Representing CI at industry events, source investment prospects, develop relationships with potential co-investors
• Screening and analysis of potential investments
• Conducting due diligence and competitive analysis
• Financial modeling and valuation analysis, collaborating with and supporting other members of the CI Venture team.
• Preparing reports and proposals regarding potential investments and portfolio companies
• Drafting term sheets
• Reviewing legal documents related to financings and other matters
• Presenting investments for approval to CI advisory committees and committees of the CI Board of Directors
• Assisting in identifying strategic, marketing and partnering opportunities for portfolio companies
• Participate in meetings and calls related to due diligence, industry research, and investment negotiations

Skills & Competencies

• A seeker and learner mentality, with a passion for and knowledge of the deep-tech technologies
• High personal passion for a fast-developing innovation ecosystem
• Detailed, action-oriented person who takes initiative to follow-up on items.
• Project management and organization skills to solicit and follow up on meetings.
• Communicate comfortably with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to synthesize data into a compelling story.
• Sufficient understanding/comfort of technology to recognize the business opportunities it unlocks

This role will work at CI’s headquarters in New Haven, CT (District | Coworking Space) on a hybrid schedule (Mondays and Wednesdays onsite). Having a Connecticut residency is required for this role.

Connecticut Innovations offers a competitive starting salary, with additional bonus opportunities based on team and individual investment performance, generous paid time off, and a culture that encourages work-life balance.

Connecticut Innovations is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We welcome all candidates to apply regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.