Playground Global is a leading early-stage venture capital firm based in Palo Alto, with $1B+ under management and currently investing out of its third fund. The firm's mission is to partner with exceptional entrepreneurs aiming to build the next generation of category-defining technology companies. Playground has assembled a world-class team of domain experts within venture investing, engineering, design, and startup operations, most of whom operate out of our fully-equipped, 80k square-foot studio, where the fund also hosts a number of its portfolio companies.

Playground seeks to invest in revolutionary companies whose cutting-edge products and services will underpin the next wave of economic and human development. Areas of active investment include artificial intelligence, decarbonization, quantum computing, engineered biology, cybersecurity, aerospace, food & ag science, robotics, and other frontier technology sectors.

We seek an Investment Associate to join our team and help support our partners investing in cybersecurity and AI/ML infrastructure startups. Our ideal candidate is someone with a technical background, a deep thinker, and an enthusiastic self-starter. You don't need investment experience, but you do need a strong interest in learning to be a venture investor.

Responsibilities:

• Work with Playground's partners to help develop an investment thesis in cybersecurity and AI/ML infrastructure.
• Source investment opportunities and evaluate inbound leads.
• Perform technical, business, and market due diligence.
• Build relationships with portfolio companies and provide advice and support as they grow.
• Prepare investment memos, financial returns, and other analyses to support the investment process.
• Work from Playground's office in Palo Alto 3+ days a week.

Qualifications:

• Technical degree, ideally in Computer Science, Math or Physics. MBA is a plus.
• 2+ years as a Product Manager or early-stage investor in the cybersecurity/software infrastructure space.
• Highly self-motivated with exceptional decision-making instincts and strong analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exhibit Playground Values:
  • Intellectually curious and practical
  • Collaborative and ambitious
  • Thrive on building something worthwhile regardless of the challenge

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base Salary Range: $130,000 - $170,000. This range represents the low and high end of this California-based position's anticipated base salary range. The base salary will depend on numerous factors such as experience, knowledge, and skills.
• Compensation will include Annual Target Bonus + shares in Playground's Virtual Share program.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off + Paid Annual Holidays
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Coverage
• 16 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• Annual Learning and Development Stipend
• Monthly Wellness Stipend
• World class daily culinary experience

About Playground Global:

Playground Global invests in early-stage, deep tech startups – companies like Relativity Space, the world's first autonomous rocket factory, or Virta Health, the team aiming to end type 2 diabetes. Our team has the technical skills and passion for digging in deep with entrepreneurs, helping them solve technical challenges to execute their vision quickly.

At Playground, we're committed to racial equity, social justice, and equal opportunity. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.