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Venture Development Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Venture Capital Associate

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$80 - $150/hr

# Venture Capital AssociateSky9 CapitalAssociateVenture CapitalFull-timeLocationSan Francisco, United ... on business development, hiring, international expansion, and strategy- Build a network among ...

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Venture Development information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in venture development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Venture Development, you need strong analytical abilities, business acumen, and experience in entrepreneurship or startup environments, often supported by a background in business, finance, or related fields. Familiarity with market research tools, financial modeling software, and pitch deck creation platforms is commonly required. Excellent communication, adaptability, and networking skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are vital for identifying opportunities, securing funding, and driving the growth and success of new ventures.

What is the difference between Venture Development vs Business Development?

AspectVenture DevelopmentBusiness Development
Primary FocusCreating and scaling new ventures or startupsExpanding existing business opportunities and partnerships
Skills & CredentialsEntrepreneurship, innovation, startup funding, market analysisSales, client relations, strategic partnerships, negotiation
Work EnvironmentStartups, incubators, venture capital firmsCorporate offices, sales teams, client-facing roles
Industry UsageVenture capital, startup ecosystems, innovation hubsCorporate growth, sales departments, strategic planning

Venture Development focuses on building and launching new ventures, often within startup or innovation environments, requiring entrepreneurial skills. Business Development centers on expanding existing business relationships and revenue streams. While both roles involve strategic growth, Venture Development is more startup-oriented, whereas Business Development is more about scaling established companies.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in venture development, and how can they be navigated successfully?

Professionals in venture development often face challenges such as navigating ambiguity, rapidly changing market conditions, and balancing multiple stakeholder expectations. To overcome these, it's important to maintain strong communication with cross-functional teams, stay agile in project management, and continuously validate business assumptions with data. Building a resilient mindset and seeking mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs can also help in managing setbacks and driving ventures forward effectively.

What is venture development?

Venture development refers to the process of building and scaling new businesses, typically startups, from the ground up. It involves identifying innovative ideas, conducting market research, developing business models, securing funding, and guiding the company through early growth stages. Venture development professionals work closely with entrepreneurs and investors to turn concepts into viable, high-growth businesses. This field is common in startup incubators, accelerators, and corporate innovation teams.
Infographic showing various Venture Development job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution.

VC Director @ SVG Ventures in Los Gatos, CA

VC Stack

Los Gatos, CA โ€ข On-site

$100 - $150/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

The Corporate Innovation Director will report to the CEO & is responsible for developing, managing and executing all aspects of SVG Ventures Corporate Innovation Strategy.

The expectation for this role is that the individual filling it leverages a strong background working with corporates and large organizations on open innovation topics. This includes but is not limited to open innovation strategy development, disruption advisory and perspective development, partnership development across organizations large and small, startup scouting and evaluation, and new venture development. You are a strategic thinker, an experienced and efficient leader, have excellent people skills, business acumen and exemplary work ethics.

This is a unique opportunity to be a core member of an award-winning team and organization that is creating a lasting impact on agriculture, food production and the systems of our future.

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Develop SVG Ventures/THRIVE Corporate Innovation Strategy
  • Work with corporate clients to explore their innovation needs & priorities
  • Manage & deliver custom innovation projects for corporate clients
  • Connect corporate clients with emerging technologies and startups that will have the most significant impact in their organizations
  • Support startups in SVG Ventures portfolio by leveraging opportunities to engage with corporate clients and partners
  • Complete market and technology trend analysis to understand key trends in agrifood tech
  • Expand existing corporate relationships by providing new offerings
  • Identify new business opportunities and new client acquisition
  • Set up and lead cross value chain workshops for corporate clients
  • Support/participate in the execution of THRIVE annual events
  • Complete annual reports for all corporate innovation clients
  • Liaise with THRIVE programs, marketing, fund, and management teams to deliver key initiatives like THRIVE Top50, Global Impact, and Venture Studio
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
  • Bachelorโ€™s Degree in Engineering, Science, Technology, Agriculture or Business; (Masterโ€™s Degree preferred)
  • 5+ years of experience in any of the following:
  • Management, design, innovation advisory and engagement delivery
  • 1-2 years of technical experience in agriculture, food, science or technology
  • Research & development in agrifood or adjacent tech space
  • Discovering, launching, and leading new ventures or business models
  • Innovation or Corp Dev function at agrifood corporate
  • Track record of involvement in driving significant partnerships and/or investments is major plus
  • Demonstrably deep connection and passion for food and/or agriculture is strongly preferred
  • Familiarity with the venture capital industry and experience working with or for startups
  • Excellent communication skills; written, verbal, and presentation
  • Self-starter with strong initiative and work ethic
  • Thrive in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment
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