VC Associate

Company: Toyota Research Institute
Location: San Francisco
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Founded in 2017, Toyota Ventures is a San Francisco Bay Area-based venture capital firm with $800M AUM that invests in early-stage startups around the world in deep tech and climate solutions. We are on a mission to discover what’s next for Toyota by helping startups bring groundbreaking technologies and business models to market quickly. We’ve invested in over 100 companies to date, including AM Batteries, Apex Space, Axiom Math, Bipi (acquired), Blackmore (acquired), Efficient Computer, e-Zinc, Intuition Robotics, Joby Aviation (NYSE: Joby), Natura Resources, Pickle Robot, and Stoke Space. Our firm is growing and we are looking for an associate for the Toyota Ventures Frontier Fund(s) to help source and screen innovative companies in areas like AI, advanced materials, automation and robotics, and space tech. Along with a degree in a relevant field and a minimum of 4 years of related work experience, we are seeking someone with a strong understanding of deep tech. Hands-on experience in a development or product management role related to one of our investment areas is a plus. The role also requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, an understanding of industry trends, and a knack for spotting the early stage startups that are defining those trends. The ideal candidate will be a natural networker who is already plugged into the startup ecosystem and is familiar with leading entrepreneurs and investors in deep tech. Experience creating cap tables, digesting financial statements, and preparing investment memos is also important. We also value diversity, acting with integrity, being humble but bold, and “keeping it weird.” If this sounds like a good fit, and you’re passionate about finding and funding innovative companies, we look forward to hearing from you! This role is based in the San Francisco Bay Area (we have offices in both San Francisco and Los Altos, CA), but remote work within other U.S. cities is possible. Responsibilities Network and take part in industry and VC events, organizations Help generate deal-flow and source high-potential target companies Meet with and evaluate companies to make recommendations on investing Participate in due diligence, competitive analyses, and industry deep dives Prepare memos and present potential investments to the Investment Committee Support deal negotiations and closings Analyze latest industry trends and author market research briefings Collaborate with Toyota Ventures platform team to support portfolio companies Qualifications 4 years of work experience in related role; previous experience in venture capital or an operational role in a technology company preferred Bachelor's degree in business, computer science, engineering or relevant field High level of integrity and professionalism, with ability to maintain strict confidentiality Entrepreneurial-minded and well-networked Excellent communication and interpersonal skills Strong financial modeling and analysis skills Extensive experience working with Excel and Google Suite Comfortable with ambiguity and risk Ability to work collaboratively with team members Track record of successfully completing projects with minimal guidance Passion for learning about new technologies and understanding their business potential The pay range for this position at the commencement of employment is expected to be between $120,000 and $155,000/year for California-based roles; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Note that TRI offers a generous benefits package (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave) and an annual cash bonus structure. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. Please reference this Candidate Privacy Notice to inform you of the categories of personal information that we collect from individuals who inquire about and/or apply to work for Toyota Research Institute, Inc. or its subsidiaries, including Toyota A.I. Ventures GP, L.P., and the purposes for which we use such personal information. TRI is fueled by a diverse and inclusive community of people with unique backgrounds, education and life experiences. We are dedicated to fostering an innovative and collaborative environment by living the values that are an essential part of our culture. We believe diversity makes us stronger and are proud to provide Equal Employment Opportunity for all, without regard to an applicant’s race, color, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, religion, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state or local laws. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Keywords: Toyota Research Institute, Concord , VC Associate, IT / Software / Systems , San Francisco, California