Venture Fundraise Analyst

Hire Brain

Mentor 

David Nason, CEO, Julie Goff COO. 

Company Overview

HireBrain is an enterprise Hiring Enablement Platform that significantly improves hiring decisions and the candidate experience at scale in large marque companies.  We are dedicated to using cutting-edge academic research in neuroscience, behavioral economics, psychology, and related disciplines to develop science-based tools and strategies for enhancing hiring practices. We are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruitment processes by reducing biases and improving decision-making in hiring.  We have recently been recognized as the emerging technology company of 2024!

Externship Description

At HireBrain, we are preparing for an upcoming Series A funding round in 2025, following a successful seed round. As a Venture Fundraise Analyst Extern, you will be deeply involved in the strategic financial planning, valuation modeling, and target investor modeling process that drives early-stage venture capital fundraising. You will gain first-hand experience in building financial models, analyzing venture metrics, and preparing presentations for investors.

This externship is ideal for graduate students pursuing careers in Venture Capital, or those who aspire to launch their own venture-backed startup. If you are interested in gaining insight into the funding process from both the entrepreneur and investor perspectives, this externship will provide the experience and knowledge needed to help you land a position in the VC space or succeed as a future founder.

1. Develop and test hypotheses about the marketing strategy of helping student organizations increase the accessibility of naloxone on campuses around the country.
2. Perform iterative customer discovery interviewing student leaders and administrators, including writing of discussion guides, customer development (finding/contacting/scheduling interviews) and interview skills.
3. Produce presentations of relevant knowledge, including communication node analyses, Student Leader journey, and results of market research. (Each of these deliverable elements will be considered “Works in Progress”, since there is not sufficient time in the Externship to finish all of them)

Objectives

The extern will deliver a comprehensive financial and valuation model for HireBrain’s upcoming Series A round, complete with an investor pitch deck and strategic recommendations on valuation scenarios. The extern will present this deliverable to HireBrain’s leadership team at the end of the externship.

Tasks and Domain Knowledge:
The extern will participate in:

1. Conduct a deep-dive analysis into startup valuations, including the creation of financial models that incorporate key venture metrics (ARR, customer acquisition cost, lifetime value, etc.).
2. Analyze comparable companies and market trends to support valuation assumptions and venture capital pitch narratives.
3. Assist in cost modeling related to key deals (such as those with enterprise clients) and determine how pricing affects valuation and revenue projections.
4. Develop visualizations for a Series A pitch deck for investors, including key data points and storytelling strategies to showcase HireBrain’s market potential, scalability, and value proposition.
5. Participate in mock pitch sessions with the leadership team, refining both the pitch and the underlying data to align with investor expectations.

Training & Instruction

The extern will receive:

• One-on-one mentorship from HireBrain’s executive team, particularly in financial modeling and VC fundraising strategies.
• Regular exposure to venture capital fundamentals, including valuation methodologies, investor expectations, and term sheet basics.
• Opportunities to join leadership in strategic planning meetings and mock investor pitches to gain a real-world perspective on venture fundraising.

Time Commitment:
The externship involves a 10-hour weekly commitment, with at least one weekly in-person or virtual meeting to review progress and refine deliverables. The extern will have flexibility to accommodate academic schedules while adhering to project milestones.

Qualifications

We are seeking Master’s or PhD candidates in STEM, or related fields, with a strong interest in venture capital, startups, or entrepreneurship. Ideal candidates will have:

• A solid understanding of financial modeling (Excel proficiency required) and basic venture capital metrics.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, particularly in applying quantitative analysis to early-stage business models.
• An interest in venture funding, whether from the perspective of a VC analyst or a future startup founder.
• A collaborative mindset, with the ability to work both independently and within a fast-paced, dynamic team.

This externship is particularly suited for students who are seeking real-world experience in venture capital fundraising and want to understand the startup investment process from an insider’s perspective. You will leave this externship with a strong portfolio of skills and experiences that can directly contribute to a career in VC or in building a venture-backed company of your own.