About the role
Founded in 2017, Toyota Ventures is a San Francisco Bay Area-based venture capital firm with $800M+ AUM that invests in early-stage startups around the world in deep tech and climate solutions. We are on a mission to discover what’s next for Toyota by helping startups bring groundbreaking technologies and business models to market quickly. We’ve invested in over 100 companies to date, including AM Batteries, Apex Space, Axiom Math, Bipi (acquired), Blackmore (acquired), Efficient Computer, e-Zinc, Intuition Robotics, Joby Aviation (NYSE: Joby), Natura Resources, Pickle Robot, and Stoke Space.
Our firm is growing and we are looking for an associate for the Toyota Ventures Frontier Fund(s) to help source and screen innovative companies in areas like AI, advanced materials, automation and robotics, and space tech. Along with a degree in a relevant field and a minimum of 4 years of related work experience, we are seeking someone with a strong understanding of deep tech. Hands-on experience in a development or product management role related to one of our investment areas is a plus. The role also requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, an understanding of industry trends, and a knack for spotting the early stage startups that are defining those trends.
The ideal candidate will be a natural networker who is already plugged into the startup ecosystem and is familiar with leading entrepreneurs and investors in deep tech. Experience creating cap tables, digesting financial statements, and preparing investment memos is also important. We also value diversity, acting with integrity, being humble but bold, and “keeping it weird.” If this sounds like a good fit, and you’re passionate about finding and funding innovative companies, we look forward to hearing from you!
This role is based in the San Francisco Bay Area (we have offices in both San Francisco and Los Altos, CA), but remote work within other U.S. cities is possible.
Aplyr's read
Toyota Research Institute leads in AI and robotics to redefine mobility, attracting top talent in machine learning and human-centered design.
What's promising
- •Focuses on cutting-edge AI and robotics for transportation safety and sustainability.
- •Offers roles in advanced fields like multimodal models and generative AI.
- •Backed by Toyota, providing stability and significant resources for research.
What to watch
- •Highly specialized roles may limit opportunities for generalist candidates.
- •Research focus may not appeal to those seeking direct product development roles.
- •Limited public information about work-life balance and company culture.
Why Toyota Research Institute
- •Pioneers in integrating AI with automotive technologies for safer mobility.
- •Emphasizes human-centered AI to enhance user experience in transportation.
- •Strong collaboration with Toyota ensures alignment with industry-leading automotive innovations.
Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?
About Toyota Research Institute
Toyota Research Institute (TRI) is a research organization focused on advancing artificial intelligence, robotics, and mobility technologies to enhance the safety and sustainability of transportation.
