Job Information
BDC ASSOCIATE, SEED VENTURE FUND in Montreal, Canada
We are banking at another level.
Choosing BDC as your employer means working in a healthy, inclusive, and skilled workplace that puts forward the best conditions to bring together unique teams where employees are empowered to act. It also means being at the centre of ambitious economic and financial projects to see further and to do things differently, to fuel the success of Canadian entrepreneurs.
Choosing BDC as your employer also means:
Flexible and competitive benefits , including an Employee Savings and Investment Plan where BDC matches part of your voluntary contributions, a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, a $750 wellness and health care spending account, to name a few
In addition to paid vacation each year, five personal days , sick days as necessary , and our offices are closed from December 25 to January 1
A hybrid work model that truly balances work and personal life
Opportunities for learning , training and development , and much more...
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Associate will work out of BDC Capital’s Montreal office (hybrid office-home setup), playing a pivotal role with the Seed Fund investment team. Associates join one of our teams as an early specialist in investment finance, to lead parts of the process of evaluating potential deals and of managing BDC Capital’s current portfolio. In this role, you will lead one or a few simultaneous investment analysis workstreams, support the team in networking activities, and monitor a portfolio of investments that ultimately shape the future of the Canadian VC ecosystem. You will cover strategic topics such as markets, industries, ecosystems, and competition, as well as operational ones, such as financials, management, and products. You are expected to combine sharp analytic skills and business sense to leverage the input of experts on a variety of market and industrial subjects. Given no two days are ever the same in Venture Capital, flexibility of time and effort is paramount to be successful in this dynamic role.
Team Overview
The recently launched BDC Seed Venture Fund is targeting to lead investments in world-class Seed-stage entrepreneurs across Canada. This new fund works with companies across all Seed-stages and collaborates deeply with Accelerators. Investments focus on Canadian software companies with potential to shape the next decade of innovation. The team also manages a legacy portfolio, companies from which have gone on to raise $1B in capital over the last decade, generating an outsized impact on the Canadian VC ecosystem. The dedicated Seed Venture Fund team works very closely with portfolio companies and uses its experience and expertise to assist in growing these companies beyond Seed and to successful exits.
CHALLENGES TO BE MET
Platform Building
Assist in managing the deal pipeline, quarterly/bi-annual reports, and providing financial analysis
Support other team members as appropriate during the development stage of an investment
Ensure that the investment research files, business plans and other collected information are maintained in conformity with BDC’s policies and procedures
Ensure that new and existing investments files are properly documented by monitoring investments, amendments, and disbursements, including financial analysis and forecasting
Deal Sourcing
Discuss informally with entrepreneurs, investors and company representatives at occasional investment community or industry events, relaying any relevant information upwards
Maintain involvement in associations within the investment community, and keep abreast of significant developments, activities, and initiatives in the industry
Stay on top of the current portfolio, identifying companies that are likely to raise funds for new and follow-on investments, and relaying information upwards
Perform market research and scouting to inform the fund’s investment strategy, identifying emerging markets, verticals, technologies, or companies
Conduct initial business plan reviews, support initial communications with entrepreneurs and referring sources, prepare initial interview memoranda and recommendations to pursue or decline
Deal Making
Lead a workstream of due diligence on companies’ market, competition, management, sales, products, cap table, and anything that is relevant to determining potential business value and exist strategies
Determine and validate performance metrics, creating valuation models, forecasts and financial pro formas
Draft Investment Memos, most often focusing on the Financials and Market sections
Support Partners leading a deal, during presentations to the Investment Board
Analyze technical documentation and/or work with technical consultants to evaluate technologies, products, and services
Conduct reference calls with competitors, clients, industry experts, and prospect company’s current or past employees
Develop and maintain appropriate information resources and subject matter expertise in various industries, markets, and business trends
Portfolio Management & Support
Monitor portfolio performance, comparing performance to forecasts and models, and relaying potential opportunities and issues to management
Participate occasionally in investee board meetings as an observer, keeping abreast of developments and escalating relevant information to Partners
Assist investees with introductions to potential suppliers, investors, and employees
What We Are Looking For
Typical Background
Candidate must be bilingual with excellent written and verbal communication skills in both French and English
4 to 6 years of experience in a role involving structured thinking, financial analysis, and technical expertise. These profiles are likely to come from, but are not limited to:
Finance roles: Venture Capital, Private Equity, Investment Bank, Accounting firm
Operator roles: Technology startup, industry-leading corporation, industry specialist
Advisory roles: Consulting, Law, Corporate Strategy, Corporate Development
Experience in an industry outside finance can be particularly valuable in some teams
Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Economics, Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). Other degrees are viable, if the professional has strong analytical skills
A post-graduate degree or equivalent certification, completed or in course, is valuable. Typical post-graduate credentials are likely to be, but are not limited to:
Master’s in business administration (MBA)
Other STEM Master’s or PhD degree
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Technical Knowledge
Advanced knowledge of Excel, particularly in building robust financial models that include sensitivity analysis and scenario modeling, as well as performing complex data analysis. Any other analytic tools and techniques are an asset
Outstanding analytical skills, financial analysis, research and a keen ability to turn data into actionable insights; ability to prepare financial forecasts and pro-forma financial statements.
Ability to contribute to an Investment Memo that is clear, concise, and eloquent
Strong ability to problem-solve using structured thinking and communication techniques
Advanced Word, PowerPoint and Google Sheets skills
Ability to intervene pertinently in the context of a presentation to executive audiences
Any technology skills with wide application, such as coding or electronics are an asset
Operational knowledge of any technical industry is an asset
Behavioral Traits
Strong intellectual curiosity and deep interest in early-stage technology startups/ecosystem; relevant experience within a startup or emerging technology company is an asset
Highly detailed oriented, organized, proactive and self-motivated
High EQ, outstanding communications skills, both written and verbal, strong team player
Supportive, helpful attitude – willingness to proactively identify gaps and jump-in to fill them
Motivation and ability to do focused, independent work, in the context of a team
Ability to work collaboratively and build positive relationships with stakeholders
Continuous learning attitude, with maturity to take feedback constructively
Openness to share knowledge and advice with less experienced colleagues
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, where objectives must be met within tight deadlines
Proudly one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers , we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible environment where all employees can thrive and feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work. If you require an accommodation to complete your application, please do not hesitate to contact us at accessibility@bdc.ca .
While we appreciate all applications, we advise that only the candidates selected to participate in the recruitment process will be contacted.
BDC is a bank unlike any other. We are the only bank dedicated exclusively to the development of Canadian businesses. The only institution whose purpose is to promote the growth of the Canadian economy by focusing on the success of small and medium-sized businesses, with a human touch and a genuine presence. At BDC, we’re changing people’s and businesses’ lives for the better. That’s what makes us unique as a bank.
That’s why we are banking at another level.