Ventures Associate | Aerospace & Defense

WHO WE ARE:

Plug and Play Tech Center is the ultimate innovation platform, bringing together the best startups and the world’s largest corporations to create the most meaningful connections that bring innovation to anyone, anywhere. We are on a mission to bring the benefits of Silicon Valley to all corners of the world. Each year, hundreds of entrepreneurs join our vertical-specific accelerator programs to team up with our corporate members or receive a direct investment from Plug and Play. Plug and Play has over 45 locations across the world and our corporate members include: Daimler, Prologis, PG&E, Nissan, Volvo, BP, Walmart, Nokia, Coca Cola, Doosan Bobcat, and over 500 more. Plug and Play’s corporate members utilize Plug and Play to identify the best startups to meet their challenges. Plug and Play’s proven investment track record includes Honey, Dropbox, Lending Club, Kustomer, Einride, and many more. 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

We’re actively seeking a Ventures Associate to champion the Plug and Play business model and source in the Aerospace & Defense vertical. The ideal candidate has a passion for entrepreneurship and technology, understanding how startups scale and is driven to take an active role in building out our ecosystem and investment portfolio. 

The Ventures Associate role is a key position on the Ventures Team. Associates are responsible for sourcing relevant startups for the program and investments, supporting deal teams on new investments, driving market research in domains relevant to Aerospace & Defense. Associates also work directly with Plug and Play’s corporate partners on their technology needs and support overall program management. 

HOW YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Working with startups:

• Source Pre-seed, Seed, and Series A startups for investment opportunities, introductions to our corporate partners and the accelerator program. 
• Possess great technology and Aerospace & Defense industry knowledge to assess most promising startups. 
• Evangelize Plug and Play to all potential network partners including startup, investor, corporate, university, and government representatives.
• Mentor startups in the program on taking products to market, fundraising, scaling, and all other ad-hoc business needs.
• Analyze market dynamics, examine industry trends, track startup competitive landscape, interact with financial models, etc.
• Support the deal team on investment opportunities.
• Build a network of Venture Capitalists and other investors to support the program and portfolio startups. 
• Actively connect startups with a broader network of industry-specific advisors, tech vendors, and service providers to accelerate product development and scaling.

Working with corporations:

• Conduct market and technology research to identify trends and opportunities that our corporate partners can leverage to make business decisions.
• Work with corporations and industry experts to identify areas for mentoring.
• Conduct research to identify new markets and industry sectors, conducting in-depth business analysis to identify new competitive opportunities in Aerospace & Defense.
• Utilize data-driven methodologies to evaluate startup performance, scalability, and technological edge to help our partners understand ROI potentials. 
• Provide event production and logistical support for demo days, mentor sessions and other events as part of the accelerator.
• Continuously source and evaluate emerging tech solutions and startups that align with corporate partner pain points, optimizing for pilot or proof-of-concept feasibility.
• Collaborate with corporate executives in deal flow sessions. 

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (e.g., Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Chemistry, Physics) or equivalent experience.
• An advanced postgraduate degree in aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a startup environment or within venture capital.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with the ability to reason strategically, analytically, and creatively.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, unstructured environment.
• Exceptional organizational skills, with a keen eye for detail and the capability to meet tight deadlines with accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in the military and defense contractor experience.
• Established knowledge and professional network within the aerospace and defense community.
• Alumni status from Texas A&M University.
• Experience in educating and engaging diverse stakeholders, including communities, corporations, governments, and non-profit organizations.