Investment Associate

Company Description

AIC RAISE is India’s first Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)-focused business incubator, established in 2019 under the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog. Headquartered in Coimbatore and supported by Rathinam Group, we aim to empower entrepreneurs, especially from Tier II, Tier III, and rural areas, to build ventures addressing pressing global challenges. Our core focus areas include climate innovation, clean tech, circular economy, biotech, assistive tech, and emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT. AIC RAISE is committed to fostering innovation and supporting impactful ventures that contribute to a better future.

Role Description

The Investment Associate will play a key role in strengthening AIC RAISE’s investment enablement initiatives by bridging early-stage incubation support with angel, VC, CSRfunded and government-backed funding pathways. The role involves mobilising deal flow, screening and validating startups, supporting investment readiness, coordinating coinvestment opportunities, and monitoring the funded/accelerated portfolio. The position requires interaction with entrepreneurs, investor networks, State/Central scheme partners, and internal programme teams. 

Key Responsibilities

Deal Flow & Pipeline Mobilisation

• Track deal-flow funnel and maintain a healthy pipeline of eligible startups
• Coordinate outreach campaigns, cohorts, demo days, and sector-focused sourcing
• Liaise with ecosystem partners, industry clusters, HEIs, and associations

Startup Evaluation & Screening

• Assess business models, scalability, differentiation, and traction
• Evaluate founder capability, team strength, and execution feasibility
• Conduct financial assessment, projections, burn runway, and unit economics
• Perform market and competitor benchmarking
• Validate claims through product demos, site visits, and customer references
• Coordinate expert evaluation panels and domain mentors
• Prepare investment committee / selection committee dossier packs

Investor Engagement & Co-Investment Facilitation

• Identify, onboard, and maintain angel investors, HNIs, family offices, and networks
• Coordinate pitch sessions for shortlisted startups
• Support investor follow-ups, interest capture, term alignment, and closures

Due Diligence & Investment Documentation

• Support statutory, technical, and financial due diligence
• Coordinate documentation workflows until disbursement / agreement execution
• Prepare investment briefs, internal reports, committee notes, and dashboards

Portfolio Ownership, Monitoring & Support

• Take complete responsibility for one or more portfolio startups from entry to exit
• Track performance through MIS, milestones, financial reporting, and KPIs
• Facilitate mentor connects, market linkages, and business support
• Identify risk triggers, follow-on funding pathways, or exit recommendations

Networking, Ecosystem Intelligence & Thought Leadership

• Build relationships with founders, incubators, investors, and government missions
• Stay updated on investment and innovation trends, sectors, and policy directions
• Share insights through reports, presentations, articles, and ecosystem events

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and research capability
• Financial modelling and startup finance knowledge
• Excellent communication, documentation, and presentation skills
• Good understanding of the startup ecosystem, funding instruments, and compliance
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and reporting tools
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• High ownership mindset, detail orientation, and startup-friendly attitude

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (Management / Finance / Engineering preferred)
• 1–2 years of relevant experience in investment analysis, incubation, VC, or startup advisory
• Experience evaluating investment-stage startups is highly desirable

Experience Required

• Total Experience:

  1–2 years