Venture Research Apprentice

Liminal•Boston, MA

About The Position

Calling all dreamers, doers, and disruptors. This isn’t just an apprenticeship—it’s your launchpad into an impactful and differentiated learning experience. Okay…We Know What You’re Thinking: So What? Whether you are a recent graduate looking to break into startups or a mid-career professional exploring a meaningful pivot, you’re probably searching for an opportunity that offers real exposure and meaningful responsibility. Maybe you’re coming from consulting, corporate strategy, venture capital, product strategy, innovation teams, or other analytically driven roles where structured thinking, market analysis, and navigating ambiguity are part of your day-to-day. Perhaps you’ve founded something before, side hustle, or an early-stage venture. If you’ve honed research, commercial analysis, and problem-solving instincts and now want to pivot into venture building, this apprenticeship is designed to give you exactly that exposure. At Liminal, we don’t offer traditional internships. Instead, we offer a 1-year Studio Apprenticeship Program where you get to be in the front seat working alongside experienced builders, diving into meaningful work. What is Liminal? Liminal (formerly Menyala) is a Founders' Studio headquartered in Singapore and Boston. We co-build with topflight founders to launch their next venture by bringing together builders, ideas, networks, and capital to derrisk their journey from idea to Series B and beyond. A Venture Research Apprentice at Liminal identifies, validates, and builds new ventures by translating problem statements into scalable business opportunities. Ideal candidates are curious, commercially minded, analytical, and excited to work at the intersection of research, strategy, and early-stage venture creation. This role is perfect for post-grads and mid-career individuals looking to break into startups, venture building, or innovation-driven roles.

Requirements

A self-starter who thrives in ambiguous environments and enjoys solving complex problems.
Strong analytical skills with a passion for research and market analysis.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill insights into compelling narratives.
Interest in venture building, startups, or emerging technologies.
Entrepreneurial mindset — whether you have a startup idea or are simply curious about building ventures.

Nice To Haves

Background in business, economics, finance, or a related field preferred, but open to diverse candidates with relevant skills.

Responsibilities

Research & Opportunity Definition
Conduct in-depth research on emerging trends, industries, and market gaps to identify potential venture opportunities.
Assist in defining and refining Opportunity Areas (OAs) by analyzing market shifts and technological advancements across industries.
Synthesize findings into clear and actionable investment theses to guide venture ideation and validation.
Support the development of strategic insights that inform the selection and prioritization of new venture concepts.
Partnerships & External Engagement
Work alongside Venture Researchers to develop collaboration strategies with VCs, startup studios, and ecosystem players.
Assist in identifying potential partners, preparing outreach materials, and supporting relationship management efforts.
Observe and take structured notes during discussions and meetings with external stakeholders, gaining exposure to high-level strategic conversations and partnership dynamics.
Support event planning, workshops, or initiatives that foster engagement with relevant industry players.