Research Analyst/Associate - Enterprise & AI Ventures

Plug and Play Tech Center • Sunnyvale, CA

82d

About The Position

Plug and Play is one of the most active early-stage venture investors globally. Since 1998, we’ve backed over 2,000 startups — including PayPal, Dropbox, Soundhound, and Lending Club — and today operate across 65 locations and 23 verticals. Our unique model combines venture investing with a global network of 550+ corporate partners to accelerate innovation worldwide. We are expanding our Enterprise & AI Ventures team and seeking a Research Analyst / Associate who will focus on building investment theses, tracking emerging technologies, and producing high-quality research that guides our venture strategy and helps Enterprises stay ahead of disruption.

Requirements

• Degree (or self-taught expertise) in computer science, data science, engineering, mathematics, or related field.
• 1–3 years in VC, consulting, banking, product, research, or a technical role — or exceptional projects that prove your ability.

Nice To Haves

• Analytical & Technical: Able to evaluate technical products and trends.
• Research-Oriented: Love deep dives, connecting dots, and building structured insights from fragmented information.
• Ecosystem Connector: Comfortable engaging with executives to extract insights, run surveys, and capture the 'voice of the buyer' to enrich your research.
• Content Creator: Skilled at writing clear, engaging, and professional content — from research reports to blog posts and public-facing insights.
• Strong Communicator: Clear, concise writer and presenter; able to tailor insights to investors, executives, and founders.
• Curious & Proactive: Thrive on learning new technologies, experimenting with AI tools, and staying on the cutting edge.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Independent thinker, fast learner, and self-starter who thrives in a dynamic, venture environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine investment roadmaps in Enterprise & AI.
• Track industry trends, regulatory shifts, and competitive landscapes.
• Identify and profile the most promising startups and technologies in target markets.
• Monitor performance of notable startups, scaleups, and major industry players.
• Track venture investment activity, acquisitions, and partnership trends.
• Maintain internal knowledge bases and market maps to guide sourcing and decision-making.
• Gather intelligence directly from our enterprise ecosystem through interviews, surveys, and feedback loops.
• Translate enterprise perspectives into reports and buyer-driven insights that inform investment theses and help startups understand customer needs.
• Contribute to company diligence: product analysis, technical reviews, market sizing, customer references.
• Summarize research into clear, data-driven insights for the Ventures team and Enterprises.
• Partner with senior team members to align Enterprise needs with startup opportunities.
• Support occasional events, founder introductions, and content initiatives — with research at the core of your contributions.
• Collaborate with the Plug and Play team to understand corporate innovation needs and facilitate targeted introductions between startups and corporate partners.
• Manage dealflow sessions, ensuring relevant startups are presented effectively to corporate partners.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees