Investment Associate, Venture Capital

About Rockstud Capital

Rockstud Capital is an India-focused investment platform managing SEBI-registered Category I and Category II Alternative Investment Funds.

Current investment focus:

• Manufacturing-led businesses
• Applied deep technology:
• Advanced manufacturing
• Industrial systems
• Defence
• Aerospace
• Space technologies
• Industrial sustainability
• Manufacturing-led consumer businesses

Assessment through:

• Commercial and operating fundamentals: engineering capability, competitive differentiation, unit economics, capital efficiency, governance, and scalability.

Works closely with founders on:

• Investment strategy
• Business priorities
• Long-term growth

About the Role

Seeking an Investment Associate to independently identify promising businesses, build relationships with founders and industry participants, and develop well-reasoned investment recommendations. This is a sourcing-led investment role within a lean, founder-led team. Responsibilities span from identification and initial engagement through preliminary evaluation and preparation for deeper diligence, working closely with colleagues on transaction execution and portfolio management.

Key Responsibilities

• Originate investment opportunities: Build a consistent pipeline aligned with Rockstud’s investment focus through direct founder outreach, sector research and relationships with investors, incubators, accelerators and industry networks.
• Own founder engagement: Lead initial discussions, ask commercially relevant questions, maintain timely follow-ups and build constructive relationships.
• Develop sector insight: Map industries, value chains and emerging businesses to identify attractive investment themes and sourcing opportunities.
• Evaluate businesses: Assess business models, market opportunities, competitive positioning, technology differentiation, customer adoption, unit economics and scalability.
• Analyze financial performance: Review financial statements, build appropriate projections and valuation analyses, and assess working-capital requirements, capital intensity and funding needs.
• Prepare investment recommendations: Write clear screening notes and investment memos that explain the opportunity, key risks, unresolved questions and recommended next steps.
• Support diligence and transactions: Coordinate with the investment team, founders and relevant specialists, ensuring a clear handover of findings, documents and outstanding issues.
• Maintain investment records: Keep pipeline information, meeting notes, source documents and next actions current and organised.
• Contribute to selected portfolio and strategic projects where sector knowledge or relationships can add value.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Relevant experience in venture capital, private equity, investment banking, transaction advisory, consulting or an industrial/technology business.
• Evidence of independently identifying opportunities, developing relationships and taking work through to a clear outcome.
• Strong interest in manufacturing and applied technology, with the ability to understand unfamiliar businesses and distinguish technical claims from commercial potential.
• Sound financial analysis, modelling and valuation skills.
• Clear writing and communication, including the ability to form and defend an investment view.
• Initiative, sound judgement and disciplined follow-through in a lean team.
• Comfort working from our Mumbai office and travelling for founder meetings, industry engagement and site visits when required.
• Candidates should be able to explain their individual contribution to previous sourcing, evaluation or transaction work, including the decisions made and outcomes achieved.

Qualifications

• A degree in Finance, Economics, Engineering, Business or a related discipline.
• CA, CFA progress or an MBA would be an advantage.