Senior Associate Capitalist (Tokyo)

Moon is hiring a Senior Associate Capitalist to source new business ideas and support our ventures, guiding them toward exponential growth and future liquidation events. This position is based at Moon’s Tokyo studio in Omotesando.

You are an experienced capitalist with the knowledge and insight to structure and achieve new venture spinout deals. You have a talent for advising entrepreneurs on strategy and leadership team formation. You understand startup market dynamics and are well connected within the Japanese startup ecosystem. You can value the business, calculate capital needs, and design the deal structure.

What You’ll Do at Moon 

Identify and evaluate potential investments and execute deals

You will act as the focal point of deal sourcing, identifying new investment opportunities in innovative startups and new technologies using your knowledge, expertise and network in the startup industry. You will also be leading all stages of deal execution working with other members of Moon, from conducting and organizing due diligence, determining the valuation of the investment, discovering successful exit opportunities as well as proposing deal terms and negotiating with the founder/management of the potential investments.

Support projects and portfolio companies through to value capture

You will act as an advisor/investor to our ventures, both within Moon and beyond, on growth strategy, business model optimization, and key metrics, based on the deal terms and the return expectations of the Moon Committee (investment decision making body). You may be on the Board of Directors of our portfolio companies and support their recruiting and fundraising activities as required, helping the management teams to achieve self-sustaining operations whether through later rounds of Mitsui funding, third party funding, forming alliances or joint ventures with large(r) companies or acquisition. As part of the investing team you will also be monitoring the growth of the investments as a portfolio and will be recommending to the Moon Committee on the timing, measures and strategy for their exits.

Improve and evolve Moon’s investment approach

Moon is committed to continuous progressive evolution of its approach to venture incubation and investing. We are funded by Mitsui & Co. to build growth businesses and manage them seeking an acceptable return on investment. You will advise the Moon Committee on ways to improve venture building throughput and success, including but not limited to: deal structure practices, Newco structure and Shareholder Agreement terms, venture founder incentives, and return harvesting strategies.

Enhance Moon’s connection with the Japanese startup ecosystem

Building Moon’s standing in the Japanese startup community is part of our mission. You will be an ambassador for Moon with key players in the startup community, including talent, corporate investors, existing startups, financial market regulators, and sources of capital.

You will help Moon EIRs and our portfolio companies network their way forward, including sourcing management talent and where appropriate, introducing them to prospective customers and third-party investors. Working with other members at Moon you will educate MoonMates on trends, best practices, and how to thrive as an entrepreneur in Japan.

The Must-Haves 

• Fluent Japanese (native) and English verbal and written skills

• Minimum [5] years of relevant investing and venture capital experience

• Corporate venture incubator or CVC experience

• Passion, pulse for Japanese startups, entrepreneurship and the venture ecosystem as well as network in the industry

• A high comfort level in working within a self-directed culture and navigating ambiguity

• Excellent discretion, demonstrating sound judgement in dealing with confidential dialogues and information

• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills

The Nice-to-Haves 

• Experience working in a fast-paced startup environment with changing priorities

• Experience in working in multicultural teams

Sounds Fun, Right?

If you identify with Moon's values and would like to contribute to our work, please submit your resume and optionally, a cover letter.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Moon Creative Lab is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Who We Are 

Moon Creative Lab is a human-centered venture studio that empowers the creation of new business. Moon’s mission is to help individuals, teams, and corporations unleash their creativity and transform bold ideas into ventures that will have an exponential impact on the world. By bringing together the best talent in design, engineering, product, and more, we help bring new ventures from zero to launch. For more information, visit www.mooncreativelab.com and follow us @mooncreativelab.inc.