Venture Associate - Healthcare Innovation

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The Venture Associate serves as a strategic resource for early-stage health-related companies and the broader venture ecosystem by supporting the full investment process. This aligns with the MSU Research Foundation’s broader growth strategy in healthcare and life science investing. From identifying high-potential startups, evaluating viability, and conducting scientific, technical, business, and legal due diligence, to presenting investment opportunities to management, this work supports efforts to invest in Michigan-based early-stage technology companies with high return potential. Beyond investments, the Venture Associate provides ongoing portfolio support and contributes to sourcing activities.

Key Responsibilities:

Scientific & Technical Review: Analyze materials both provided by startups in the investment pipeline and procured through independent research and due diligence. Examples include pitch decks, scientific & clinical literature, pre-clinical and clinical data, market reports, patents, etc.

Diligence Conversations with Founders, Investors, and Subject Matter Experts: Meeting with Founders to evaluate investment opportunities and perform technical, financial, market, etc., due diligence is a key aspect of the role. Responsible for sourcing and facilitating meetings with upstream/downstream investors and subject matter experts, including researchers and clinicians, to complete due diligence.

Presentation of Investment Opportunities: Prepare written assessments of investment opportunities and present weekly to the healthcare investment team. For opportunities that advance to later stages of due diligence, prepare an investment decision thesis which will be presented to the broader investment team, including the Executive Director.

Management of Investment Pipeline: From initial screening through investment, manage an investment pipeline through our technology platform. Document progress of due diligence items and proactively manage next steps to ensure timely investment decisions are made.

Sourcing : Manage pipeline of inbound leads from entrepreneurs, other MSU Foundation subsidiaries, and ecosystem partners and generate outbound opportunities through industry research, conferences, and networking.

Portfolio Management: Assist with regularly scheduled portfolio company update meetings, gathering key performance metrics from these companies, and tracking this data in our technology platform. Provide support to portfolio companies on specific projects when needed. Drive value to our portfolio companies by working with their management teams to unlock access to capital, customers, talent, and strategic insights.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to distill complex scientific and clinical concepts and data into actionable information.
• Knowledge of the medical device/diagnostics and therapeutics product development process.
• Knowledge of FDA regulations, reimbursement and healthcare economics, clinical workflows, and health system operations
• Ability to review, understand, and summarize peer-reviewed scientific and clinical literature.
• Scientific and clinical acumen sufficient for being able to quickly understand disease processes, standard of care treatments, analyze pre-clinical and clinical data, and competitive landscapes.
• Ability to quickly learn key metrics and market drivers for diverse industry segments within healthcare.
• Exceptional written communication skills, with emphasis on analytical and technical writing.
• Ability to work independently and with confidence to take initiative and be proactive.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential and sensitive data.
• Interest in quickly researching a variety of industries and interfacing with subject matter experts to assess investment opportunities.
• Strong sense of urgency and self-motivation, with the ability to multitask and prioritize work to meet critical deadlines.
• Basic understanding of venture capital and investment instruments.
• Proficiency in analyzing financial statements.

Experience and education

• PhD in life science or healthcare-related field required.
• Minimum of one year of experience in an operational role at a life science or healthcare-related start-up or mid-sized company; or experience in a clinic-adjacent role or within an innovation/venture function in a healthcare setting.
• One year of early-stage startup or investing experience or venture investing education such as “VC University” or equivalent.

Join the MSU Research Foundation, where you can work for a dynamic organization and make an impact – shaping the future of research, economic growth, and innovative healthcare solutions!