About the Firm/Role:
A leading AI‑focused investment firm is seeking a highly connected, energetic AI Sourcing Lead to identify and engage with the most promising pre‑seed and seed‑stage founders in the Bay Area. This is a sourcing‑first role centered around building deep relationships across the AI ecosystem and surfacing high‑quality proprietary deal flow before it hits the market.
Responsibilities:
• Build and maintain strong relationships with AI founders, researchers, operators, and angels across the Bay Area.
• Act as the firm's on‑the‑ground presence - attending events, meetups, university gatherings, and founder dinners.
• Identify emerging trends in AI and deeptech, and use them to inform sourcing priorities.
• Conduct initial founder and market assessments to determine quality and fit.
• Manage and track your pipeline of early‑stage opportunities with discipline and clarity.
• Expand the firm's network by mapping key nodes in the AI ecosystem. Qualifications:
• 3+ years of relevant experience in venture sourcing, startup ecosystems, community building, or early‑stage operating roles.
• A strong existing network in SF's tech and AI community.
• High energy, extroverted, and naturally relationship‑driven-someone who thrives in founder‑heavy environments.
• Strong interest in AI, machine learning, and emerging deeptech.
• Ability to quickly understand technical concepts and communicate them clearly.
• A proactive, resourceful, and "connector" mindset.
• Academic or technical familiarity with AI/ML (not required but a big plus).
