Principal

About the Role 

As Principal, you’ll be at the forefront of sourcing, evaluating, and supporting execution of  investments in startup and growth companies, primarily across the UK, Europe, and MENA, while collaborating across the broader AV platform. This is a critical role in a new, growth-oriented Alumni Ventures London office.

The role is fundamentally T-shaped: it is a generalist investing role spanning sectors and stages, but with the encouragement to develop depth and expertise in the EMEA venture-stage investing landscape, particularly at early and growth stages (Series A-D).  You will be responsible for sourcing and supporting the execution of 5-7 investments annually from the region that help deliver top-tier fund performance, and strengthen AV’s position in the venture ecosystem, supporting the deployment of ~$5-20m annually – in additional to supporting the sourcing, networking, diligence work, and portfolio monitoring of your teammates in the US. 

You’ll work closely with the Managing Partner, Principals and Senior Associates, and broader US-based team members on your investing team (one of AV’s ten, four-person investing teams) to identify high-potential companies, lead diligence and negotiation, and nurture relationships with founders, co-investors, and industry partners. Your success will come from creativity, warmth, smarts, and hustle.

As a member of Alumni Ventures' investment team, you'll also be expected to actively build your personal brand within the venture ecosystem. We believe our investment teams create value not only through sourcing, evaluating, and supporting investments, but also by sharing insights, developing investment theses, participating in industry events, building meaningful relationships, and contributing to conversations across the startup community. Whether through speaking engagements, writing, networking, mentoring founders, or other thought leadership activities, you'll help strengthen both your own reputation and Alumni Ventures' presence across the EMEA venture landscape.

Alumni Ventures operates with the energy and pace of a high-growth startup. The EMEA office in London represents a startup within Alumni Ventures and is building the firm’s presence locally. Success will require flexibility, comfort with ambiguity, substantial self-direction, and the ability to operate autonomously while remaining aligned with a global investment platform.

Reporting & Collaboration

The role’s investing responsibilities will report to, and be a part of, one of AV’s 10 investing teams each led by a Managing Partner based in the US. Day-to-day in London, this role will support the Executive Managing Director for EMEA in advancing Alumni Ventures’ regional activities throughout the UK, Europe, and MENA. 

Travel

This role is based in London and requires UK work authorization. Regular travel is expected within Europe and the Middle East, with occasional trips to the East Coast of the US is expected for investment collaboration, portfolio engagement, and firm-wide meetings.

What You’ll Do 

• Deal Sourcing
  • Proactively source and contribute high-quality leads that align with the team’s investment thesis and firm-wide initiatives.
  • Drive a strong conversion rate from sourced deals to qualified investment opportunities.
• Due Diligence
  • Lead initial due diligence on potential investments, engaging directly with founders, customers, and market data.
  • Analyze market trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging opportunities to strengthen investment decisions.
• Investment Success
  • Contribute to the successful execution of approved investments, from term sheet to close.
  • Maintain tight alignment with the firm’s investment strategy to build a high-performing, well-balanced portfolio.
  • Partner with the team to support fundraising activities, investor relations, and community engagement through events, webinars, and thought leadership.
  • Note that Alumni Ventures is a dedicated minority co-investor; the role does not include leading investment rounds, serving on boards, or other lead manager responsibilities.
• Assisting with Portfolio Management
  • Actively manage and support portfolio companies, fostering growth and long-term value creation.
  • Monitor portfolio performance through regular CEO check-ins, performance tracking, and strategic guidance.
• Network Development & Community Building
• • Build and maintain relationships with founders, institutional LPs, and other ecosystem participants across the region.
  • Work closely with sourcing partners including universities, other venture capital firms, and LP networks to generate high-quality deal flow.
  • Represent Alumni Ventures at industry events, conferences, pitch competitions, and ecosystem gatherings across the region; work with the local team to plan and execute Alumni Ventures sponsored events; and contribute to the continued development and visibility of Alumni Ventures’ presence in the region, as well as global webinars and other communications channels.
  • Serve on a leadership role in Venture Clubs, Syndicates, and other community-building engagement channels in the region.

Who You Are 

• 5-7+ years of professional experience in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, consulting, or startups.
• A deal sheet of past venture capital investments you’ve been personally involved in securing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Hands-on familiarity with AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney, Gemini) and ability to integrate them into team workflows.
• Experience and knowledge of both the EMEA startup and venture ecosystem and US/Global venture model is required.  This includes both demonstrated past experience and a desire to spend the next tour of duty in your career deepening your knowledge, ties, and network in the EMEA innovation ecosystem. Particularly emphasis on the UK & Nordic ecosystems with comfort and cultural fluency working throughout Europe and MENA.

Our Culture & How We Work at AV
Regardless of title, this is what great looks like at AV.

• Put team and stakeholders first. We win together and measure success by the value we create for our investors, founders, and each other.
• Take extreme ownership and bias toward action. We act like owners, move with urgency, and follow through.
• Debate rigorously and commit fully. We welcome diverse views, use data and sound judgment, and once aligned, execute as one team.
• Focus on what matters most. We prioritize impact, simplify where possible, and channel energy where we have a real advantage.
• Be AI-forward and tech-optimistic. We actively use AI and emerging technologies to work smarter, make better decisions, and amplify human judgment — not replace it.
• Stay curious and think big. We are continuous learners, aim high and build for long-term impact.

Benefits & Perks
We offer a flexible, employee-first benefits program designed to support your health, financial well-being, and life outside of work. 

Compensation

Compensation includes a starting base salary of £132,000 plus equity, carry potential, and corporate bonus.