Investment Associate/Principal

SiGMA Group, a prominent expo/events organizer in the igaming, emerging tech, marketing, and healhtech industries, and Ikigai Ventures, SiGMA's backed seed-stage venture capital firm investing in igaming and frontier technologies (blockchain, AI, etc.), are hiring an Investment Associate/Principal for our investment team.

As Investment Associate/Principal, you will be responsible for wearing two different but complementary hats:

1. Working with Ikigai entails working with the current portfolio and identifying, leading, and executing new investments. This role requires attention to detail, prompt and clear communication skills, analytical problem-solving ability, and an orientation toward execution.

2. Working with SiGMA entails working with our active Corporate Development area, where you will assist in executing new M&A and partnership mandates and help with integration tasks. This role requires high-level strategic thinking, analytical skills, project management, and negotiation skills.

We are seeking an Investment Associate/Principal for our investment team who is a dynamic self-starter with experience in venture capital or corporate development to help our top-tier, challenge mandates. This full-time role reports to the partners and is based in Cyprus, covering a global investment mandate. Residency permit will be provided.

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Responsibilities

Evaluate and lead potential investments within our areas of expertise. Research and write investment memorandums as needed. Advocate for investments in which the Associate has firm conviction. Provide counter-arguments where the Associate has not formed a firm conviction.

Proactively identify, evaluate, and develop new business leads from initial assessment to negotiations, final agreements, and investment through rigorous and fast-paced due diligence.

Work with portfolio companies to drive value to the Group and the startups backed by it by assisting with internal alignment/expansion, fundraising, recruiting, marketing/sales, etc.

Participate in external networking events with venture capitalists, c-levels, universities, industry associations, and other conferences. Develop and maintain relationships with others in the ecosystem.

Working with the Investment team and collaborating internally with appropriate technical specialists, functions, and business units to align prospective investments with the business's needs.

Support SiGMA's team in all aspects of open innovation activity. Also, support in integration with acquired companies and an array of tasks that touch investments and startups within the Group

Write thoughtful leadership content for our Investment blogs and social media. Publicly represent SiGMA and Ikigai Ventures by speaking at and attending high-profile conferences on the firm's behalf. Share knowledge from these events with the team.

Develop and drive programs, tools, and resources (including hosting events) for founders related to the companies's areas of expertise. Track progress for startups invested by the Group by keeping relevant portfolio company metrics up-to-date and providing analysis for Portfolio Review.

Deal with stakeholders such as Limited Partners (LPs), regulators, founders, and service providers.

Qualifications

For an Associate, 4+ years direct experience in venture investing through a VC (Ideally from a major VC hub such as Berlin, London, Paris, Stockholm etc.) or corporate development in the igaming industry. For a Principal, 6+ years of experience in either area.

Proven investing track record, preferably with early-stage startups or corporate development strategies (M&A). Investing focus in any of the following is mandatory: iGaming and Emerging Tech (blockchain and AI preferred).

Engineering, Talent/Culture, or Growth backgrounds a plus. Founding or being on the leadership team at multi-stage startups (e.g., going from early stage to late stage) is also a plus.

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with a diverse group of partners and operations team members. Ability to quickly build trust with other team members, entrepreneurs, and broader strategic networks.

Excellent active listening skills combined with the ability to develop a nuanced point of view that can be comfortably shared and refined with other team members. Ability to know the right questions to ask and when to listen and learn.

Strong deal pipeline and venture ecosystem relationships. Alternatively, a strong background in the igaming industry.

Demonstrated strong written communication skills emphasizing thoughtful, clear communication. Experience simplifying and distilling complex concepts for publication.

Strong organizational skills with excellent prioritization and task management skills. Strong financial modeling skills are mandatory.

Diversity Information

Ikigai Ventures is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of discrimination but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We believe workforce diversity creates an environment where our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers. We understand and embrace the variety through which people gain experiences, whether through professional, personal, educational, or volunteer opportunities. Ikigai Ventures is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statements

The policy of Ikigai Ventures is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees equally regardless of an individual's age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.