About Energize Ventures

Energize Ventures is a leading climate software investor focused on scaling sustainable innovation. Founded in 2016 and based in Chicago, Energize has funded 24 companies to-date and is backed by strategic, institutional, and impact LP's including CDPQ, Invenergy, Schneider Electric, General Electric, Caterpillar, and more. Leveraging the team's industry and operational expertise, Energize works in partnership with climate technology companies at various stages of maturity by helping them scale and realize their full potential, from early commercialization to public markets.

Position Overview

Become a part of the Energize Ventures team to deliver excellent returns and contribute to firm’s reputation as the premier energy and industrials technology venture investor. We are a small team with an entrepreneurial spirit, and this role requires flexibility, a diverse skill set, and an ability to perform at a high level on multiple fronts. We are looking for a driven, hard-working, insightful individual to help us with market deep dives, investment sprints, and other strategic initiatives.

The MBA Associate Intern reports to an Investment Senior Associate at Energize Ventures.

This is a summer-time position located in Chicago and the candidate must be willing to spend the full 10 weeks in our Chicago HQ. The intended start date for the role is May/June 2023.

Responsibilities

• Help us identify, decide on, and win opportunities to invest in the best climate, sustainability, energy & industrial tech startups.
• Help evaluate and respond to a high volume of initial introductions, including holding initial screening conversations with ventures and evaluating those opportunities
• Assist in due diligence process including meeting notes, references, product and technical due diligence, competitive landscape research, market sizing, and financial evaluation
• Help our team identify and track the most promising technologies and companies for potential investment
• Help us analyze pipeline companies, prepare and refine investment theses, source, diligence, and close investments
• Assist with regular LP updates on our portfolio and firm progress
• Help with any relevant research to help support insight pieces, blog posts, speeches or presentations by members of our team

Qualifications

• Enthusiasm for energy technology, entrepreneurs, and business learning
• Fundamental grasp of the broader industrial markets, including automotive, oil & gas, advanced manufacturing, and others.
• Desire and willingness to learn, give and take feedback and challenge conventional thinking
• Extraordinary written and verbal communication skills. Comfortable listening to, presenting, and disagreeing with investment points of view. Conviction without arrogance, humility without defeatism.
• A great nose for important tech trends and emerging businesses, a different perspective on the energy & industrials verticals
• Keen attention to detail; deliberate and focused in execution
• Strong diligence skills. Ability to quickly evaluate the key questions, risks or upside to an opportunity, prioritize and execute diligence to flesh out these issues
• Strong financial analysis skills. You will be able to dive quickly into a business plan or financial model, identify and judge key drivers or vulnerabilities
• Strong business and personal judgment
• Excellent critical thinking and discussion skills. Unafraid to advocate for and debate your opinion
• Self-motivated and highly productive. Someone with an outstanding work ethic who is able to envision, prioritize and complete parallel projects without requiring much guidance in a fast paced, fluid environment. Excellent multitasking skills without dropping balls
• Entrepreneurial spirit to be part of a small team
• Socially outgoing and a people person
• Sense of humor, smarts, and a positive attitude
• The ability to consistently come up with new ways to make us better.

Prior Experience

• Demonstrated interest in energy, technology & industrials verticals
• While we will consider various backgrounds, we think a background in investment banking, consulting, venture investments, or an operations role in an energy / tech company would be the strongest fits for this role
• Experience being a top performer in a highly ambitious academic or rigorous work environment
• Seeking current MBA candidates.

Energize Ventures embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

Interested candidates should apply through the TriNet portal Energize Ventures TriNet with their resume. We look forward to hearing from you.